Knowledge Base

Tracking Photocopiers

Tracking printing to a photocopier

PaperCut can track printing to photocopiers just like a regular printer. Printing is simply intercepted at the copier's print queue, before it reaches the copier itself. In essence it works the same as a network printer.

Tracking walk-up copying

Tracking walk-up copying is a bit more involved. It is generally done using one of two possible methods:

1. Using the photocopier's inbuilt features

Many photocopiers come with features for reporting and access control. For example, PINs can be used to restrict access to the copier, and copying data might be available through the copier's web interface.
It is then simply a matter of keeping the PINs and usage costs in sync with PaperCut by using a common convention. There is no interaction between PaperCut and the copier. The two systems are indepent and you'll need to report usage independently out of both systems (the copier and PaperCut).

2. Using an external hardware terminal

Sometimes it is necessary to have an automated print management solution. In these cases, external hardware can be purchased to link the copier up with PaperCut. Access to the copier can then be controlled using cards or PINs, and all copying is automatically registered against the appropriate user and/or account in PaperCut.
In this way walk-up copying can be managed just like regular printing from within PaperCut.

For more information about tracking walk-up copying see our copier integration page.

Categories: Printers

keywords: MFD, multi-function device, MFP, multi-function printer, off the glass, photo copier, walk up

Page last modified on September 10, 2008, at 10:06 PM