PaperCut Printing Management System

A solid FAQ should ideally kick off with a question that warrants a response akin to a 500-page novel! To put it briefly, PaperCut MF empowers both user and device-level management and oversight for all your printing and multifunctional devices (MFDs) encompassing copy, print, fax, and scan functionalities.

Common uses for PaperCut MF include:

1. Monitoring and regulating all activities involving printing, copying, faxing, and scanning on MFDs.
2. Administering user permissions for devices based on their roles, such as ‘marketing’, ‘administration’, and ‘finance’.
3. Implementing copy quotas, fees, and per-page pricing.
4. Strengthening document security through Find-Me print release functionality on both MFDs and printers.
5. Bolstering device security with controlled access to your MF devices via user IDs or building access cards.
6. Allowing for cash payments for print, copy, scan, or fax services in pay-for-print environments.

Originally an expansion of the well-received print software, PaperCut NG, PaperCut MF evolved to include embedded software and hardware support. Additionally, the PaperCut MF software can be seamlessly integrated with third-party, off-the-shelf copy controllers and card readers.

PaperCut MF and NG share the same foundational features and technical code base. However, PaperCut MF offers an additional capability to seamlessly integrate with Multifunction Devices (MFDs) and other hardware, providing enhanced functionalities. The embedded software within PaperCut MF operates directly on the MFD, enabling you to monitor and manage printing, copying, faxing, and scanning.

These added capabilities encompass:

1. User ID authentication for access tracking and control directly at the device.
2. Consistent user interface across all devices’ screens, optionally co-branded for your organization.
3. Utilization of network card readers for secure print release and Find-Me printing through card swiping at any copier or MFD.
4. Integration with cash payment hardware, allowing users to recharge their PaperCut MF accounts in pay-per-print environments.

There are also some more intricate integration areas that, due to their complexity, aren’t detailed in this FAQ. All other features, such as general print tracking, print quotas, rules-based printing, and driverless web printing, remain identical on both PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG.

PaperCut NG’s strength lies in its user-friendly interface, making it accessible to anyone looking to manage printing expenses and reduce waste. It’s available for online distribution and can be installed and managed by any network administrator, primarily at the Operating System level.

As we’ve deepened integration at the firmware level across numerous MFD manufacturer platforms, the complexity of the solution has grown. This often calls for specialized expertise and an updated understanding of current MFD hardware during setup. Additionally, to support MFD and printer manufacturers, PaperCut ensures a precise notification and acceptance process is followed before loading any device with the PaperCut embedded software.

Rather than imposing this level of complexity on users who may not require it, we introduced PaperCut MF, creating a clear distinction between the two products. To make PaperCut MF as user-friendly as PaperCut NG, we’ve expanded our network of resellers and support experts to ensure the best configuration and installation experience.

While the two products complement each other, many PaperCut MF users have seamlessly transitioned from PaperCut NG. The migration process between editions is straightforward, with all your data and settings preserved in the upgrade.

Many users initiate their deployment with PaperCut NG, our print-only edition, in the initial phase. Setting up PaperCut MF, on the other hand, involves a more detailed process. Here’s a summary of the steps to convert an existing PaperCut NG installation to PaperCut MF:

Obtaining a License:

As a first step, please reach out to us with the following details:

• Confirm that you are an existing PaperCut NG user.
• Specify where you acquired your license – directly from PaperCut or through a reseller.
• Provide your location (country and region).
• Indicate the types and quantity of MFDs or copiers you intend to manage.
• Explain how users will access the MFDs – through login, account code, or card.
• Let us know if you have a preference for a particular Authorized Solution Center (ASC) or reseller.
• Mention your industry (e.g., Education, Business, Professional Services, etc.).

We’ll connect you with the nearest and most qualified ASC, and collaborate with them to offer you a recommended path forward. On the licensing front, there’s no need to buy an entirely new license. You’ll receive credit for your existing PaperCut NG license. (Refer to the pricing FAQs for PaperCut MF for specific details.)

The Technical Upgrade Path:

Converting an existing PaperCut NG installation to PaperCut MF is a straightforward process, with no loss of data or settings. Since both editions share the same code base, all data is compatible. In many cases, the conversion involves a simple install-over-the-top procedure as outlined here. Given that you’ve already set up the printing and server-side installation, your chosen PaperCut MF reseller or Authorized Solution Center will focus on the copier integration aspect of the installation. The new MFD devices will appear in the PaperCut Admin web interface, similar to your regular printers, and you can then take over their management.

PaperCut adheres to a vendor-neutral stance, aiming to provide support for a wide range of operating systems, platforms, and devices. This principle is integral to our core development philosophy and ensures that you, as a PaperCut user, have the freedom to choose. A few years ago, we conducted a survey among our user base, and the consensus strongly favored the importance of our vendor-neutral position. This means that you can switch between operating systems, printer brands, MFD makes, and more with minimal disruption to PaperCut and its essential features. Essentially, your setup can remain intact.

However, maintaining this position can be challenging for us. Apart from the engineering investment needed to develop across multiple environments simultaneously, we sometimes face pressure from organizations that prefer to be locked into a specific environment or hardware/device. Nevertheless, we remain committed to our neutral stance and will continue to support an open approach to infrastructure, hardware, and other services.

It’s important to note that while we maintain a vendor-neutral approach, not all embedded offerings are equal. Our embedded software’s effectiveness is reliant on the quality and feature set of the underlying device (MFD) firmware and the supporting SDK used for its creation. In this aspect, some manufacturers may offer better integration and a more comprehensive feature set, setting their devices apart. In every case, we strive to deliver the very best user experience at the device.

Certainly. We strive to extend language support in embedded solutions to align with the languages available in the PaperCut Admin web interface, which currently encompasses over 30 languages. However, there are some exceptions to be aware of:

1. Some embedded or onboard solutions may have limitations in supporting Asian or full Unicode character sets. For detailed information, please get in touch with your PaperCut Authorized Solution Center (ASC).

2. Numerous copier control hardware terminals come with fixed interfaces, accommodating only English language support.

3. For languages with right-to-left scripts, such as Hebrew, screen layouts may be better suited for left-to-right text presentation.