Printing for external agencies

[mrstrong]

Hi,

 

we have our main network and also a guest wifi (separate subnet / vlan)

We let guests use the guest wifi but they can't print. The MFDs are on the

main network, nothing fancy like papercut but there is some software on the

print server which allows staff to release their jobs from any MFD

(I think they call it follow me printing)

 

I've now got an external agency on site a lot that need to print. Their laptops

are locked down, not on domain, and they use google docs for pretty much everything.

 

To get them printing asap I joined them to the main network wifi and connected

to print server as a generic domain user (saving credentials) and manually

added printer. On MFDs set up new user for audit/billing purposes should it be needed.

 

Thinking now the generic domain user I used probably has too many privileges,

maybe I should create another more restricted account?

 

Like I said, bit of a rush job so be interesting to know any thoughts on best practice

with this sort of thing? How would you do it ?

[DrBeaker]

Hi,

 

we have our main network and also a guest wifi (separate subnet / vlan)

We let guests use the guest wifi but they can't print. The MFDs are on the

main network, nothing fancy like papercut but there is some software on the

print server which allows staff to release their jobs from any MFD

(I think they call it follow me printing)

 

I've now got an external agency on site a lot that need to print. Their laptops

are locked down, not on domain, and they use google docs for pretty much everything.

 

To get them printing asap I joined them to the main network wifi and connected

to print server as a generic domain user (saving credentials) and manually

added printer. On MFDs set up new user for audit/billing purposes should it be needed.

 

Thinking now the generic domain user I used probably has too many privileges,

maybe I should create another more restricted account?

 

Like I said, bit of a rush job so be interesting to know any thoughts on best practice

with this sort of thing? How would you do it ?

 

 

If you to to the public library you get charged for printing and copying. Same as if you go to a copy shop. Are they currently allowed to print for free? How does the printing get charged otherwise?

[pete]

Printing done by the external agency needs to be logged/accounted for.

 

However, if you invoice them it's very likely that invoice will be charged back to you as part of their bill with a 10% markup on top, so it's not necessarily cut and dried.

[mrstrong]

Like I said: I have added a new user on MFDs for audit/billing purposes.

 

I was more interested in how you allow visitors / external agencies to print from a technical perspective,

especially with regards to security. Any thoughts ?

[DrBeaker]

Like I said: I have added a new user on MFDs for audit/billing purposes.

 

I was more interested in how you allow visitors / external agencies to print from a technical perspective,

especially with regards to security. Any thoughts ?

 

Simple answer for us - is we don't. Due to all these various issues. If staff log them on and let them use their account, that's on them. I can't control, only advise. YMMV.

[MatthewL]

I wouldn't, if they really need to print and are on site then they bring their own printer and connect to that.

[Wubbalubbadub]

Hi,

 

we have our main network and also a guest wifi (separate subnet / vlan)

We let guests use the guest wifi but they can't print. The MFDs are on the

main network, nothing fancy like papercut but there is some software on the

print server which allows staff to release their jobs from any MFD

(I think they call it follow me printing)

 

I've now got an external agency on site a lot that need to print. Their laptops

are locked down, not on domain, and they use google docs for pretty much everything.

 

To get them printing asap I joined them to the main network wifi and connected

to print server as a generic domain user (saving credentials) and manually

added printer. On MFDs set up new user for audit/billing purposes should it be needed.

 

Thinking now the generic domain user I used probably has too many privileges,

maybe I should create another more restricted account?

 

Like I said, bit of a rush job so be interesting to know any thoughts on best practice

with this sort of thing? How would you do it ?

 

I would probably VLAN my printers at this point, and allow the guest wifi and main network to go into printing,but not allowing my guest network onto main lan.

 

That being said, papercut webprint is also an option, if you have money available? If not, Vlans as above! :-)

[mrstrong]

Mmm, might look into vlans. Beginning to wonder if I should have just said can't do / not possible.

Still bit late now: easy to give, not so easy to take away