Print Scout Overview

The Print Scout monitors printing activity throughout an organization or specific ranges within an organization. You can install the Print Scout on print servers and user workstations (for Print Analytics) and on workstations (for Secure Release Services or Direct Print). Once installed, the Print Scout collects comprehensive, detailed information about each print job, including who submitted it, when it was submitted, which print device was used, and so on. This information is sent to the Pharos Cloud server for real-time analysis and reporting capability.

Depending on your license, the Print Scout installed on user workstations will:

Print Analytics license

  • Collect, store, and report user and print job information for all print jobs

Secure Release license

  • Collect, store, and report user and print job information for Secure Release jobs. It also manages the secure release of print jobs
  • Installs the following on user workstations:
    • Pharos Secure Release Setup Guide. This wizard guides users through activating on their workstations and mobile device.
    • Pharos Secure Release desktop app, which allows users to view or delete documents before walking up to a secure printer.
    • Installs the default printer queue (Pharos Secure Printer).

Pharos Secure Release license

  • With Pharos Secure Release license, the Print Scout installs the Pharos Secure Release desktop app which enables users to add direct printers.

Collected Data

The Print Scout collects the following data about each print job:

  • Date/Time
  • Job Size (kB)
  • Number of Pages
  • Number of Sheets
  • Number of Copies
  • Paper Size
  • Originals (e.g. when a job consists of multiple copies of a document, this is the number of pages in the original document.)
  • Finishing Options (includes one-sided/two-sided, stapling, tray).
  • Print Path (includes printer name, port name, share name, and server share name).
  • The network ID of the job owner
  • Application Name (e.g. Word, Excel)
  • Transaction Type (direct job or secure job) - available only if you have Secure Release license
  • Document Name
  • The Print Scout also records the Network Name, Operating System, and Service Pack Level of each machine on which it is installed.

Print Scout Types

There are two types of Beacon Print Scouts:

  • Print Scout: The Print Scout tracks all printing activity from the print servers and/or workstations on which it is installed.
    • In a Uniprint environment, the Print Scout tracks 'back office’ printing only; that is, printing that does not go through Uniprint queues. It is typically installed on staff workstations and/or Windows print servers that are not part of the Uniprint system.
    • Mac Print Scout: The Mac Print Scout tracks all printing activity for the workstations on which it is installed. For more information, please see the Mac Scout Install Guide.
    • Linux Print Scout: Linux Print Scout is available for sites with OpenID Connect authentication. Please see Linux Print Scout Install Guide for more information.
  • Uniprint Scout: The Uniprint Scout tracks all printing that goes through queues managed by Uniprint. It also tracks all costs charged to students. It must be installed on every Uniprint print server in your environment. For more information, see the Uniprint Scout Installation Guide.

Where to Deploy Print Scouts

Depending on your printing environment, the Print Scout(s) can be installed on client workstations, Windows print servers (servers that are not Uniprint Print Servers), or both. The following guidelines can help you decide where to deploy the Beacon Print Scout:

  • Install the Print Scout on client workstations if you want to:
    • Track direct printing to network devices
    • Track printing to local devices
    • Track the applications used to print (e.g. Word, Outlook)
    • Collect, store, and report the user and print job information for Secure Release jobs (This requires Secure Release license)
    • Allow users to print and release their jobs directly to printers (This requires Pharos Secure Release license)
  • Install the Print Scout on a print server if:
    • The majority of printing volume goes through network queues
    • You want to reduce the number of installations you need to manage
  • Install the Print Scout on both workstations and print servers if:
    • Printing may be sent directly to printers as well as through print servers. Even though Print Scouts on workstations will track network printing, having Print Scout(s) on your print servers will enable you to collect valuable information about your print queues.
    • You need to be thorough and ensure that all printing activity is tracked.
    • Your print strategy or goals are still being defined and you need to collect comprehensive information about your print environment.

Note: The Print Scout cannot be installed on a Uniprint server.

Related Topics: