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Authenticate and Manage Clients, Accounts, Matter Codes, and Users For Billing and Charge back purposes. Implement Data Loss Prevention with over 10 permission based restrictions or even hard quotas. Review: How Much is Out-of-Control Printing Costing Your Business? |
Features OverviewOverview
The Print Manager Plus Client Billing & Authentication Option is a software only print management product. It is licensed per a single print server running Windows Server or Workstation. The product install changes nothing in the Windows infrastructure and relies only upon the standard Windows print subsystem. Larger organizations running Windows Clustered servers, and Terminal Services or CITRIX based networks are also fully supported! The scalability of Print Manager Plus has been engineered for any size Workgroup, Network, or Enterprise. If you are a small business with only 2 printers or a business with 100 users, or an entire enterprise with multiple locations and thousands of users and printers, Print Manager Plus can be easily installed and administered. Scalable to any size, it will audit, track, restrict, and secure your printing infrastructure. Administrators hold on because Print Manager Plus will do the work for you. Product usability is way in the future, with an easy installation and setup, and complete integration with Windows Server, Print Manager Plus will literally run itself. The software allows for Client Name, Account, or Matter Codes to be billed back to a central database each time a user prints from their workstation. Keeping track of all print job characteristics such as; Date/Time Printed, User, Document Title, Pages, Copies, Duplex, Nup, and the cost of the print job. You can have the user authenticate their print job by Verification only or Full Authentication. The product can use variables of network Usernames and Passwords, Account Passwords, and even designated Usernames and Passwords assigned through Print Manager Plus. The complete data and control provided by the product will save you thousands of dollars in printing. With over 15 years of experience in the Print Management arena and by surveying and listening to our customers it has made Print Manager Plus the #1 Print Management software in the world, which is used in thousands of Schools, Universities, Libraries, Corporations, Governments, and Individual consultants. Supporting our customers is our #1 priority, and to do this we have through the years created a network of over 165 resellers and distributors in over 65 countries. Our own internal sales and support staff is offered in 13 languages fluently, which gives us one of the highest customer maintenance renewal retention rates in the industry. |
Product FeaturesFeatures Overview Installation Track and Audit Printing Accounting Functionality Control Printing Reports, Graphs, and Statements: Product Interface and Usability Agents and Options Support |
The Client Billing & Authentication Option is licensed per a print server where Print Manager Plus is licensed. The product works with any version of Print Manager Plus Workgroup, Single Server, or Enterprise Editions. The product is an add-on option, that turns on Client Billing and Authentication features within Print Manager Plus. The product also includes an Authentication Module which is installed on each Windows and Mac Workstation that will be billing print jobs.
The Client Billing & Authentication Option for the Small Business Edition is the full product but is limited to monitoring no more than 5 Printers and 35 Users.
Print Manager Plus installs on any Windows Server or Workstation. The product install changes nothing in the Windows infrastructure and relies only upon the standard Windows print subsystem.
Larger organizations running Windows Clustered servers, and Terminal Services or CITRIX based networks are also fully supported with the Enterprise Edition.
Print Manager Plus has two installation options. The first is a full setup which installs the Print Manager Plus service on the print server and the administrator interface and reports as one setup.
The second install option only installs the Administrator interface and reports, which would be installed on the Administrators workstation.
The Print Manager Plus service is comprised of files and the database which actively run live on the print server capturing all print jobs. The database may also be remotely setup on another machine.
The Print Manager Plus Administrator comprises of files which make up the interface and reporting tools used for administration of the product.
Print Manager Plus is installed with a key that will turn on the Client Billing and Authentication features. After this is done then the Authentication Module would be installed on the Windows and/or Mac workstations where billing will be entered at the time of printing.
Prerequisites:
Installation of one of the following versions
of Print Manager Plus.
Workgroup Edition
Single Server Edition
Enterprise Edition
Authentication Module Supported Operating Systems:
* Microsoft Windows 2000 Server/Workstation.
* Microsoft Windows 2003 Server (Standard, R2, x64).
* Microsoft Windows 2008 Server (Standard, R2, x64, Core Editions).
* Microsoft Windows XP Professional (0x86, x64).
* Microsoft Windows Vista (0x86, x64).
* Microsoft Windows 7 (0x86, x64).
* Mac OSX 10.1 or Later.
Client Hard Drive Storage:
* 5 MB
Client Processor:
* Intel Pentium 4 and greater or compatible.
* Power PC Processor (Mac OSX Only).
* 64 bit Processors supported.
Client Random Access Memory (RAM):
* 512MB Recommended
Specialized Client Environment:
* Supports Terminal Service & Citrix Sessions.
Depending upon the version of Print Manager Plus the product supports SQL Server Express and full editions.
These setup options are:
Create a Local SQL 2005 Express Database for Medium Printing Load
Recommended for a Workgroup or one print server printing up to 5,000 print jobs per a day.
Create a Print Manager Plus database on an Existing SQL 2005/2008 Server.
Recommended for one or multiple print servers printing unlimited jobs per a day. This configuration is also recommended when using Microsoft Clustered Servers.
Click here to view the Database Options Interface
Print Jobs being routed through a print server will all be audited no matter what operating system the print job is originating from. Once the print job has spooled through the print driver Print Manager Plus will audit data from Network Sources such as Workgroups, Active Directory, and LDAP.
Network data collected is: User, User Group, Organizational Unit, Printer Name, Printer IP, Server, Printer Group, Workstation Name, Workstation IP, Custom Active Directory fields.
Print Job data is translated into specific datasets which can be used for full featured auditing and cost analysis.
Print Job data collected is: Pages, Copies, Color, Duplex, Nup, Page Size, Document Title, Bandwidth, Cost, Square Unit and Linear Job Length, for Large Format Printers.
Printers supported by Print Manager Plus are in the hundreds. Listing them would be lengthy and not show the actual technical quality of the product functionality without some background data.
Print Manager Plus was created by request from the IT industry at the inception of Microsoft’s Windows NT server release. Software Shelf took on the challenge of surveying and developing a simple, and easy to use software based product, and it did in 1998 releasing our 1.0 version of Print Manager Plus. We found that tracking print jobs from operating systems was not as easy as we thought it would be. The development route we took required that we audit the actual spooled print job file that the printer hardware deciphers to actually print the job. This required us to be able to look at separate print languages that the printer manufactures write for their hardware. Since then we have deciphered and audit hundreds of print languages. This allows Print Manager Plus to track the data needed for a complete audit of all printing traffic over any size network and any printer type.
Printers Audited includes: Dot Matrix, Inkjets, LaserJets, Multifunctional devices, Large Format Printers, and Plotters.
Collecting this data and putting it into a standard database format allows customers to easily set printing Quotas, Restrictions, Rules, Messaging, and create over 176 fully detailed Reports and Graphs of all print traffic.
Customer Accounts (Projects, Client Name, Codes, Matter Codes, etc...) can be imported or added manually into the Client Billing and Authentication version. The product can support up to thousands of accounts and sub accounts. Customer accounts will be monitored by the end user printing and then accounted for in the database, allowing for billing requirements to be fulfilled.
Accounts/Sub Accounts can be set to Active or Non-Active within the database. This allows for a complete reporting on all customers data from the past and well into the future.
Job Costs are monitored within Print Manager Plus by printer. Costs can be changed anytime and can be broken down by printer or advanced setting can be monitored such as, paper size, color vs. B/W, Duplex discounts, and # of pages printed. Large Format Printer costs can be set by Square Unit and Linear Job Length, and Sheet size.
A Markup percentage can also be added by Account/Sub Account, giving you the capability to calculate profit and loss statements based on overall cost vs. income regarding your printing. Reports can show your bottom line allowing for a complete view of your printing cost basis. Income and Expense Statements can also be generated by User, Groups, Organizational Units, Entire Company, Accounts, Sub Accounts, and Printers.
Accounts/Sub Accounts can be set to a Billable or a Non-Billable state. The state can be changed within Print Manager Plus or it can be prompted for from the end user printing through the Authentication Module on the workstation.
Print Manager Plus reports and statements can be generated through the Reports Tab within the product.
Reports for Accounts are many, and are divided up by Summary, and detailed reports by Account by User, Group, Organizational Unit, Printer, Workstation, and Server.
Statements are pre-made and show detailed client data print traffic activity. The statements are laid out in a statement form.
Once a report or graph has been produced there are many export options and destinations you can send the data. Printing is also an option.
The Reports Center Option an add-on for the Client Billing and Authentication product also adds a fantastic versatility to the overall product.
This add-on option for Print Manager Plus allows you to share network-printing data with your entire enterprise. With web-based reports, statements, charts and built in viewing rights and permissions that hook into Active Directory you can plan and execute your budget needs and flow data with ease and precision. Set it all to automatic with a built in scheduler that will build reports and statements, send reports and charts via email or saved to a share on the server. If you don’t like our pre-made reports, statements, and graphs, then edit them or create your own with the Business Intelligence Development Studio. (Ad-Hoc Reporting).
Print Manager Plus can set Authentication, Verification, Quotas, and Restrictions. Different levels of print Authentication or Verification can be set on individual printers or all printers. Quotas and Restrictions can be set on a single or multiple users, user groups, and organizational units. Restrictions can be set directly on a printer or group of printers. Default settings can be turned on for new Users, and Printers added to the Active Directory.
If a print job has been denied because of a restriction or a quota has been met, Print Manager Plus can automatically be set to Pause the print job or Delete the print job. Pop-Up messages can then be automatically sent to the user’s workstation explaining why the print job was denied. Low balance pop up messages can also be sent when a user gets close to his quota.
The Authentication module is an application that runs on any Windows workstation and is activated when a user prints. The Authentication modules relays the data of the print job to the user, it is then up to the user to bill this print job to a customer, or simply delete the print job. Communication between the Print Manager Plus service running on the Print Server and the Authentication module uses TCP/IP, if this is not available it will use Named Pipes.
Print Job data relayed to the user consists of detailed information.
With the ability of Authentication, other rules can be set for the users in general
Authentication security also includes using built-in Windows security measures or creating custom passwords through Print Manager Plus.
The Authentication module includes many levels of security, which any professional services company can use. Below is a detailed description of each level of authentication which can be set.
The Authentication Module will popup showing the print job information. The user will have the option to select a Client Account to bill the print job to, or delete the print job.
The Authentication Module will popup showing the print job information. The user will have the option to select a Client Account to bill the print job to, or delete the print job. This will also require the user to authenticate by entering the Client Account password if one is set for that Client Account.
The Authentication Module will popup showing the print job information. The user will have the option to select a Client Account to bill the print job to, or delete the print job. This option will require the user to enter their password.
The Authentication Module will popup showing the print job information. The user will have the option to select a Client Account to bill the print job to, or delete the print job. This option will require the user to authenticate by entering their username and password.
User Verification and Authentication Settings
When this is selected, the Authentication Module will popup showing the print job information including total pages and job cost.
The Authentication Module will popup showing the print job information. The user will be prompted with the option to Print or Delete job. This option will require the user to enter their password.
The Authentication Module will popup showing the print job information. The user will be prompted with the option to Print or Delete job. This option will require the user to authenticate by entering their username and password.
All messaging is done through the Authentication module. The module will also allow pop-up messages to be sent to the user if a quota or restriction has been met.
Features include:
Print Manager Plus uses a built in Crystal Reports viewer. The Client Billing & Authentication Option adds more built in pre-made reports, statements, and graphs.
Features include:
Click here to view a list of all Reports and Graphs.
Reporting includes detailed and summarized data displaying all aspects of client printing on your network. Reporting can be done on these categories:
Graphs are pre-made and show detailed data including, Top 10 lists, Most Active, and many other detailed print traffic activity.
Statements are pre-made and show detailed client data print traffic activity. The statements are laid out in a statement form.
Once a report or graph has been produced there are many export options and destinations you can send the data. Printing is also an option.
The Print Manager Plus interface has been designed over the years but has not changed much. The style and design has always been in line with Windows and also keeping the product eye pleasing, but most of all easy to use and simple to navigate for any size customer.
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus interface.
As you can see the product is divided up by tabs. These tabs are Users, User Group Defaults, Organizational Units, Client Billing, Printers, Print Servers, and Reports. The Client Billing & Authentication Option adds in the Client Billing Tab.
If using Active Directory or LDAP Print Manager Plus will automatically display Users, User Groups, Organizational Units, and Printers. If using a Work Group Print Manager Plus will display Users and Printers.
All Administration of Print Manager Plus is done from this interface and it can be used for one print server or thousands of print servers over any size enterprise.
Because Print Manager Plus has been fully integrated with Active Directory and LDAP the product can be setup to have multiple views of the interface. Our Admin Rights allows for a master Administrator to assign lower lever Administrators rights to the viewing and editing of Specified Users, Groups, Organizational Units, and Printers.
When the lower level Administrator attempts to open the Print Manager Plus interface he will be prompted for a Username and Password. Once he logs in he will only be able to view and edit his specified Users, Groups, Organizational Units, and Printers.
The interface is for viewing, editing, and managing Quotas, Restrictions, Printers Cost, and Updating the software. The interface is not meant to collect data from; this is done through the Reports tab.
Interface Feature Summary
The user display allows the Administrator to view and edit user properties and set quotas and restrictions.
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus User interface.
Features include:
The user group defaults display allows the Administrator to view and edit user group’s properties and set quotas and restrictions. This also sets a default value for any new users added to that group.
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus User Groups Defaults interface.
Features include:
The Organizational Units display allows the Administrator to view and edit Organizational Unit’s properties and set quotas and restrictions. This also sets a default value for any new users added to that Unit.
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus Organizational Units interface.
Features include:
The Client Billing Tab allows the Administrator to add new Clients, Sub Clients, Projects, Accounts, and Matter Codes. This can be done manually or by an Import feature. Custom passwords may also be added to an individual accounts.
The Tab displays Client Name, Account Expense, Pages Printed, and Security. Accounts added here will display in the Authentication module on the users workstation for billing purposes.
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus Client Billing interface.
Features include:
The Printers display allows the Administrator to view and edit printer properties and set page costs and restrictions.
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus Printers interface.
Features include:
The Print Servers display allows the Administrator to view all print servers and workstation connected printer agents remotely across an entire enterprise.
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus Print Servers interface.
Features include:
Print Manager Plus uses a built in Crystal Reports viewer. The Standard Edition of Print Manager Plus has over 100 built in pre-made reports and graphs. The reports interface is laid out by reports categories and can easily be navigated.
Features include:
Click here to view the Print Manager Plus Reports interface.
Click here to view a list of all Reports and Graphs.
Print Manager Plus offers other advanced administrative features and shortcuts for database administration and product utilization.
Features include:
We offer our customers additional Agents and Options to use with Print Manager Plus. Below is a list of these with all additional features that are included.
Some of these agents are free and can be downloaded and used with your purchase of Print Manager Plus. The Workstation Connected Printer Agent, Reports Center Option, and the WebAdvantage Suite Option are charged for. Call or check our online pricing for licensing details.
This add-on option for Print Manager Plus allows you to share network-printing data with your entire enterprise. With web-based reports and built in viewing rights and permissions that hook into Active Directory you can plan and execute your budget needs and flow data with ease and precision. Set it all to automatic with a built in scheduler that will build reports, send reports and graphs via email or saved to a share on the server. If you don’t like our pre-made reports, statements, and graphs, then edit them or create your own with the Business Intelligence Development Studio. (Ad-Hoc Reporting).
Built as an Add-on Option to Print Manager Plus, this product redefines print security and simplicity in the same sentence. Using already existing network resources, with robust and secure login features. The Release Station Option allows for easy installation into an already existing Windows Active Directory infrastructure.
Using IIS to run from, the Release Station working with Print Manager Plus will allow many different scenarios for Schools, Libraries, Healthcare, Insurance, and Corporate customers. Integrated with all of your print queues the Release Station can be placed anywhere there is a web based or intranet connection. Users will be prompted for their Username and Password. Once logged in they can view there print job, and choose to Print it or Delete it, or even pay for it!
Allowing Administrators to display sets of data for when users login to the Release Station, allows full control over printing in public labs, pay for print kiosks, and HIPAA regulation compliancy for confidential document release.
PayPal features have fully been integrated into the Release Station allowing for full pay for print kiosks or an attendant to charge for printing in any environment.
This application based product can be installed on a workstation and
allows the Administrator to Monitor, Quota, and Restrict printing on the
locally attached printer and any users printing to that workstation
connected printer.
This tool is great for companies that have locally attached workstations
that they cannot monitor or Large Format Printers that they do not want to
send large print jobs over the network to, through their print server.
Once the product is installed on the workstation the Agent will appear under
the Servers Tab in Print Manager Plus. Also all printers locally attached to
that workstation will appear under the Printers Tab. The local service can
be Stopped, Started, and Restarted remotely. The service can also be updated
remotely using eUpdate.
All Quotas and Restrictions set through Print Manager Plus all apply to
users printing from or through these workstations.
Over the years we have added free software utilities that complements the Administrative functionality of the product. These utilities are given to our customers at no cost to them, for the purpose of quality, functionality, and ease of use. Here is a quick list of the utilities with a description.
Authentication Module (Currently
Translated for use in French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and
Chinese)
The Authentication Module can be installed locally on a Windows or Mac Workstation. This program
is started whenever a user logs in. The product pop-up after the user prints
a document. depending on the Authentication set the user would be asked to
authenticate themselves, the print job, or even select a client account to
bill to. The
product also has a dual purpose which is, it will display any messages
coming from the Print Manager Plus Service when a user has met a quota,
restriction, or security rule.
Add Credits
This agent is a simple web based add on, that allows for
administrators to list, view and edit user balances and paid balance. A more
advanced version has been built into the
WebAdvantage Suite Option.
Remote Report Viewer
This utility can be installed on a workstation and allows the user to
connect to the Print Manager Plus database remotely. It will allow the user
to run any report Print Manager Plus provides and export or print the
report. There are two versions of the Remote Report Viewer. One is for Print
Manager Plus, and another for Print Manager Plus with Client Billing and
Authentication Option reports.
With over 10 years of experience in the Print Management arena and by surveying and listening to our customers it has made Print Manager Plus the #1 Print Management software in the world, which is used in thousands of Schools, Universities, Libraries, Corporations, Governments, and Individual consultants.
Supporting our customers is our #1 priority, and to do this we have through the years created a network of over 125 resellers and distributors in over 65 countries. Our own internal sales and support staff is offered in 13 languages fluently, which gives us one of the highest customer maintenance renewal retention rates in the industry.
Maintenance is included with all products, and covers Upgrades/Updates and Phone Support for One Year from the date of purchase.
Product Updates and some Upgrades are done through our electronic update (Eupdate) through the product interface. This will allow an Administrator manually have the option of downloading an update and then automatically installing the update on one or multiple servers. Workstation Connected Printers Agents can also be updated through this service.
Support can easily be obtained by directly calling or emailing one of our offices, distributors, or resellers.
All products come with a full User Guide and Quick Start Guide in Html and PDF formats. Customers can also use our extensive online support pages where specific frequently asked questions can be answered.
