Printer Managment Software

[Admiral208]

hey everyone

 

just a quickie to find out what Print Management software everyone is using?

 

the school im working at doesnt have any at the minute and were spending a fortune on toner!!

[powdarrmonkey]

Print Manager Plus - old version, but it does what we need. The new versions do a lot more.

[sharkster]

Print Manager Plus .

we use the same, only to see who prints out paper and doesn't collect it, we must waste a forest a week- but is getting better

[Ric_]

You need to do a forum search for Print Manager Plus, Papercut and PyKota... I'm an advocate of PyKota - check the wiki!

[Geoff]

Pykota here too.

[elsiegee40]

Print Manager Plus here - couldn't do without it.

 

Make sure you put realistic prices on the pages otherwise it doesn't sink in how expensive it is to print.

 

There are several recent threads on these boards on the subject of management software and how it's used.

[mrtechsystems]

Printer Manager running old version upgrading to new one over the easter

[TheScarfedOne]

Heads up here for Ranger Print Manager. Not too expensive, runs on your print server, no client install (just point a shortcut in startup to the client exe on your server). Also has a web based creditor for techies. Full auditing and history. PM me if you want to know more.

[witch]

If you have no money, try Papercut - at least we can now tell who is printing all the rubbish out (including somebody's husband's tax forms!!)

[Michael]

I find it amazing that most of us are using older versions of Print Manager Plus! I was asked not long ago whether I wanted to upgrade and I asked what exactly does version 7.x (or PMP 2008) do that 6.x can't?

 

I did take a look at the new version and for the money, it offered nothing worth the upgrade I'm afraid! If it ain't broke, don't fix it comes to mind.

[Geoff]

Yep PyKota here too. Although I have used Papercut logger in some of the primary schools we support too.

[rush_tech]

We use Stopit here

[Trojan]

Pcounter Here, works well.

[jack0w]

We used to run Ranger Print Management here but we got rid of this along with Ranger a couple of years ago.

 

We're now using Papercut NG - fantastic product, all the features you could possibly ask for and very reasonably priced for education!

 

 

We're also in the throws of making new ID cards for our staff with proximity chips in them, idea being to use them for door entry, cashless catering and photocopying.

 

Once we've got the new ID cards out to staff we will be installing some proximity card readers onto the copiers and integrate staff photocopying into Papercut - all very exciting stuff!

[aleach2]

We use PCounter too. Works very well and it cheap. Check them out.

[Jobos]

Just got a quote for PCounter for our primary school and it came in at £495. Now I see PaperCut NG is charging £225 for primary schools so unless I’m missing something PaperCut wins.

[actech]

I know a few schools that are using Papercut here and they are really happy with it. It is very adaptable to various needs and can also do Internet usage accounts if you are running an ISA Server.

 

I will be installing it on my system come July, with the intention of running it in the background for that last 6 months of the year and then implementing student accounts in 2009, and also setting up department accounts for staff.

[Jobos]

I've installed papercut in demo mode and although it's only doing auditing at the moment I'm already impressed with the logging and charts.

[SOSAGES]

i think it all comes down to how much money the powers that be give you as well as the level of support you want.

 

you can get free products that work fine for some people or you can wonder off and spend 10k+

 

id suggest trialing at least 3 of the main software vendor options before spending the money and while trialing try out the support.

I personally had a lot of luck with pcounter, papercut and some software from equitrac (the name escapes me for now)

If you are feeling brave the pcounter lads have a nice API for you to write your own software for

[kesomir]

I've used both papercut and pykota.

 

Pykota is excellent value for money (£25 donation or free), but Papercut is better value for us overall because it's a 20 second install and run job, whereas pykota is a little more involved.

 

Papercut is also cross platform and can be used on linux (mac too I think?)

[SOSAGES]

Mac printing can be a bit trickier but yes papercut can run/monitor Mac's.

 

Same for most software its just normally tricky to setup for a mac as you will sometimes find a issues with printer setup and printer configuration

[meastaugh1]

Once we've got the new ID cards out to staff we will be installing some proximity card readers onto the copiers and integrate staff photocopying into Papercut - all very exciting stuff!

 

How did you get on with copier/card integration? Did you use the VCC unit as recommended by PaperCut? I'd be interested to hear how your implementation went.

[Sylv3r]

We are currently rolling out PCounter here for our photocopiers and network printers. Staff will use PIN's on the photocopier but we may look at purchasing swipe cards for all staff.

[SOSAGES]

We are currently rolling out PCounter here for our photocopiers and network printers. Staff will use PIN's on the photocopier but we may look at purchasing swipe cards for all staff.

 

 

be careful when getting the cards, not all readers read what you expect.

 

If its barcode make sure the height of the barcode on the card is the correct height for the reader. Also check the reader will be able to read the symbology of the barcode a lot of UK sites use Telepen but the rest of the world hasnt heard of it so often the readers wont pick it up.

 

If its magstripe then that shouldn't be a problem.

 

If its Prox/Mifare then be aware often the only thing the reader will pick up is the manufacturers number from the card (its different for each card)

This depends on any encryption on the card.

 

dont forget to add a password/pin to the account as well in case a card is stolen.

Edited June 3, 2008 by SOSAGES

[mikeymike]

just a quick few questions here guys. firstly im wondering do you actually need a printer management tool as there is a option you can tick on most modern good printers now to keep the print jobs so you can see who is taking the **ss. i do work in a school that has only 60 ish pc's so that could well be why we dont need a tool like that. and do you actually charge for certain printing??