We recently tested a lot of screen capture software for the purpose of creating demos of PaperCut and our in house m3i solution. After a few weeks of trying the software options on the first page of Google search results we ended up purchasing Demo Builder. Below is our first attempt, so be nice!

The timing, colours and a few other bits ‘n’ bobs need to be worked on (must remember to turn off mouse clicks!) After creating one I think future videos may contain commentary rather than all the writing as I feel people go into more detail and offer little tips while speaking. It depends how bad our voices sound in the real world. I expect our next go (migrating from NG to MF) will be even more awesome.

If you do watch it I suggest going full screen and 720p - and grab a cuppa!

Top of our FAQ and a regular in our sales & support mailbox – How does PaperCut MF differ from PaperCut NG?

Good question, with a very simple answer. Both PaperCut MF and NG are very similar and at a technical level share the same code base. Side by side other than a different logo you won’t notice anything to differentiate the two products. The difference is that PaperCut MF has the ability to interface with hardware devices (e.g. MFPs) to deliver extra features. Examples of this integration include:

• Embedded software that runs on the MFP to track and control access (e.g. copier use) at the device.
• Integration with 3rd party copier hardware terminals and controllers for devices (MFDs and printers) that don’t yet support embedded or on-board solutions.
• Network card readers to facilitate secure print release and find-me printing via card swipe at any print device.
• Cash payment hardware – enabling users to reload their PaperCut MF user account in pay-per-print environments.
• A few other complex integration areas which are too obscure to list here in an FAQ!

All other features, including general print tracking, print quotas, and rules based printing and driverless web print, etc. are identical on both PaperCut MF and PaperCut NG.

Spot the difference

FYI: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/chalk-and-cheese.html

Good news everyone PaperCut 10.6 is now available for download.

This new version has nearly 30 enhancements/fixes to keep PaperCut running smoothly as well as two completely new features a lot of sites will find useful.

The first of the new features is a default shared account may now be configured per-user. This represents the user’s most commonly used account, and can be useful for users who mostly charge to the same account, but occasionally need access to others. The default shared account is automatically selected for the user when they print. This will also save time on the various embedded solutions.

The second feature added to 10.6 is for organizations with more than one user directory (e.g. a new Microsoft Active Directory and a legacy LDAP server with users that have not been migrated) can now synchronize, import and authenticate against both at the same time.

What are you waiting for? Grab the download and update.

Please note:
PaperCut MF users – If you are an existing customer looking to upgrade your current install of PaperCut MF, then please contact us.
Resellers please use the dedicated reseller portal provided.

One of the most popular questions via our website or over the phone seems to be: What is the difference between PaperCut NG and MF?

 As you probably know PaperCut NG gives you these key features:

• Control student print quota, or charge for printing.
• Track and budget staff printing by faculty or department.
• Simple installation – starts working immediately.
• Directory integration with automatic user account creation.
• Simple web-based administration for office staff.
• Automatic scheduling of credit/quotas.
• Solutions for managing wireless laptop printing.
• Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux and Novell, making PaperCut the most flexible and integrated management solution available.

Of course PaperCut MF has all of the above features as well, so what exactly is the difference? In truth, the answer is ‘very little’. Apart from a change of logo and a few extra tabs, regular PaperCut users wouldn’t notice much difference – that is until you throw a photocopier into the mix. PaperCut MF is designed to capture “off the glass” walk-up copying. It can achieve this using two methods:

       1. Modern embedded applications that run directly on a multifunctional device, enabling single sign-on using existing domain infrastructure.

       2. Direct TCP/IP network connection with selected 3rd party hardware terminals.

Both options allow user authentication and access via various login methods including user name and password, PIN codes,  as well as common card formats including: magnetic stripe (“swipe”); barcode; proximity.

Basically, if a customer is only ever going to want/need to monitor and/or control printing, then NG is the ideal solution. However, if now or in the future a customer is looking to monitor and/or control printing and copying (and, increasingly, scanning and faxing), then MF is the right option. Currently, we have a lot of sites planning for the future, so MF has been installed and is being used solely for monitoring printers, until the time comes to implement copier control and monitoring.

PaperCut MF is a complete integrated copy and print solution that you can manage from within a single mature application. We can offer a 40-day trial of PaperCut MF to any interested parties, but we suggest you contact us with your requirements first.

PaperCut Features	PaperCut NG	PaperCut MF
Set print quotas on individuals, groups or across departments
Automated Quota Allocation System
Track and charge walk-up / off-the-glass copier usage, just like for printers
Simple installation – starts working immediately
Directory integration with automatic user account creation
Clustered  Server Support to Increase efficiency and distribute wear and tear
Scalability up to 100,000+ Users
External Database Support
Reasonable licensing that doesn’t dictate your IT infrastructure
Multiple print server support as standard
Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Novell and mixed environments
Print Job Filtering and Restrictions
Support for Hardware-Based Copier Terminals
Support for Copy Control via Embedded MFD Software
Hundreds of report combinations to view, export as file or deliver via email
Monitor locally attached printers
Error notifications when printers are in error
Charge copying to accounts that can be shared by multiple users
Secure print release via PC-based print release stations
Secure print release via card reader using fast release terminal
Secure print release via staff and end-user web interfaces
Secure print release via hardware terminals
Secure print release via embedded MFD software
Monitor faxing and scanning on supported hardware
Web-based staff print release
Find Me Printing (pull printing)
Advanced business reporting
Add credit to user’s accounts via admin web interface
Support for cash value loaders
Support for web based credit card payments
Real-time environmental Impact statistics
Manage wireless and unauthenticated printing from user-owned devices
Administer the system straight from your web browser anywhere on the network
Bill back printing costs to clients
TopUp/PrePaid Cards – ideal for student payment management
Open architecture – full documentation and APIs provided to all customers

Select Technology is pleased to be selling PaperCut NG, PaperCut ChargeBack and the new PaperCut MF in the UK

PaperCut is the leading solution to monitor, quota and report network printing and internet use. PaperCut is renowned for its combination of powerful features and ease-of-use.

PaperCut’s unique print quota, print accounting and print control features have been designed to provide organizations with comprehensive reporting and control of their printing.

PaperCut’s print management software is tracking millions of users worldwide in over 60 countries and 20,000 organizations.

• Print Quota
• Printer Cost Recovery and Reporting
• Internet Quotas and Usage Tracking
• Free 40-day unrestricted trial