Bits and Dots : Tracking

Colour: Devices Designed for Business Continue to Challenge Perceptions

Brian R. Kneebone — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:40:00 GMT

Most enterprise customers I work with equate enterprise printing with laser printing. While Hewlett-Packard has a fantastic array of products in its LaserJet and Color LaseJet portfolio, for many needs ink-based solutions may be perceived as inappropriate. Many customers think of the low-cost devices as having higher operational costs, challenges with archivability including water fastness, and issues with tracking and monitoring over the network (especially for USB-connected devices) using tools like HP Web Jetadmin. Hewlett-Packard continues to challenge these perceptions with new advancements in it's HP OfficeJet Pro line-up refreshed in February......(read more)

Video Tutorial: Exporting Devices from HP Web Jetadmin

Brian R. Kneebone — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:24:00 GMT

Posted by: Brian R. Kneebone Technology Consultant, Imaging and Printing Group It's been a while since my last post and I have to say I'm sorry. I've been quite busy with customer related projects but it's been a relatively slow month...(read more)

Tip for Administrators: Printing and Scanning in Windows Terminal Server and Citrix Environments

Brian R. Kneebone — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:01:00 GMT

I wanted to share some imaging and printing resources in Windows Terminal Server (WTS) and Citrix environments. HP and its partner community have a number of helpful resources which can be useful for those new to administering these shared server computing architectures.

If you take a look at anything, bookmark the “HP printers supported in Citrix Presentation Server environments” whitepaper. This is an amazing document which is published regularly (usually 2 to 4 times a year). The document covers the types of devices supported, versions of the OS, middleware and drivers supported, etc. The title would seem to indicate support for print only (which is the primary focus), but topics also cover twain redirection for scanners and all-in-one devices as well. A URL at the end of the document invites customers to participate by providing feedback. The format is quite easily used for administrators who are new to managing printing assets in a shared server computing environment. Seasoned administrators will likely appreciate the consolidated list of open and resolved issues.

For those comfortable with WTS and Citrix environments and have an optimal infrastructure which is relatively well managed, consider moving to the next step by optimizing workflow:

Consider ThinPrint Solutions to compress and optimize print streams. This can be especially important for location with low bandwidth to remote sites (dial-up, 56K frame relay, ISDN, low-bandwidth DSL, etc.)
Sometimes prints need to be sent to users behind other firewalls outside of the corporate environment where redirecting the print stream through the RDP or ICA session is not desirable. While the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) can help, frankly customers demand more security-wise from their devices. Often we see customers choosing solutions like Capella’s SD-Express which looks and feels like normal print, but is transparently encrypted, transmitted using SMTP and decrypted in-printer and can even confirm prints through SMTP messages.
Inevitably scanning becomes a consideration where TWAIN redirection may be helpful, but a more locked-down workflow oriented solution is preferred. Technology partners like Omtool with their AccuRoute platform can help and fully support these shared server computing environments. These solutions make for ideal capture platforms when working with shared multifunction printers and Digital Senders.
For environments where job tracking becomes a consideration (whether that’s billing back departments or simply used as an audit mechanism for security practices) we have a number of solution partners which can help. This includes embedding tracking agents in print servers or the client sessions. For simplicity in these environments it is usually best to embed an agent at the device using technology such as Capella MegaTrack In Printer Agent (MIPA) or other tracking solution partners.
Take a look at the devices hosting the RDP or ICA sessions themselves. HP has a number of low-cost devices including Windows XP/Vista desktops, laptops and thin client terminals. The most recent offering is a thin client laptop called the HP Compaq 6720t Mobile Thin Client.

Colour Control Options

Brian R. Kneebone — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 15:35:00 GMT

I get a few of these questions from time to time about how to control printing costs (specifically colour printing). Of course I can’t help but point out the benefits of lower-cost colour output on devices like HP EdgeLine. However, there are times when organizations place Colour devices where there is concern about abuse. There’s really a few different ways to do this, addressed at a high-level below.

Secure the device for limited access

For almost a decade now, network administrators have typically limited access to colour devices by locking down permissions at the print queue on a print server. In Windows print servers, this is done from the “Security” tab (only allow the “print” for groups or users you wish to give access to). If you want to take the extra step to protect against crafty users bypassing the shared print queue, take advantage of “Access Control Lists” in the JetDirect print server. This is one of many recommendations for print security recommendations using Web Jetadmin.

Enable Color Access Controls

With commercial Color LaserJets and EdgeLine devices introduced 2004 and later, advanced Color Access Control is available. Rather than go into full detail here, anyone interested in this should visit the main “Color Access Control” website. There are a number of configuration options including restricting by user, application, time-of-day, etc. While many smaller organizations may find it preferable to use the hardware controls, there are advanced driver controls for the HP Universal Print Driver as well. For commercial colour multifunction devices, enable some form of authentication to limit color copying if desired as well like device or user pins.

Adopt enterprise solutions

What about organizations who want more? A number of HP’s solution partners offer things pull-print solutions, low-cost re-routing and clustering solutions through partners like Capella/JetMobile, Equitrac, Ringdale, Safecom, Pharos, LBM Systems, etc. Take a look at the HP Global Solutions Catalog for more details.

I’d encourage you to chat with your HP sales representative around your particular needs whether limiting access, purchasing devices with color access controls or looking at adopting an enterprise solution. At some point in the future (depending on feedback) we may delve into more detail on these topics in this blog.