Mac Print Scout Overview

The Mac Print Scout is installed on workstations running macOS to track printing activity. Once installed, it collects detailed information about each print job, including who submitted it, when they submitted it, to what device they submitted it, what application they used to print, and so on. This information is sent to Pharos Cloud for analysis and reporting.

The Mac Print Scout is installed on user workstations and performs the following functions:

  • Tracks information about secure jobs and sends them to Pharos Cloud.
  • Installs SpoolerServiceMac – the service that provides cloud-based printing services. (In addition to the Print Scout Service).
  • Installs the default print queue named Pharos Secure Printer on user workstations. The type of queue installed depends on how your site is configured:

    • If configured for Local Connector, this queue uses Apple's AirPrint technology to capture print jobs.

    • If configured for Cloud Connector, this queue uses IPP Everywhere (IPP/E) protocol.

  • Provides the Pharos Secure Release Setup Guide. This wizard guides users through activating Secure Release on their workstations and mobile device.
  • Installs the Pharos Secure Release desktop app, which allows users to view or delete documents before walking up to a printer.

Where to Deploy Mac Print Scouts

Install the Mac Print Scout on Mac workstations if you want to:

  • Track direct network device printing
  • Track local device printing (e.g. USB, LPT)
  • Track applications used for printing (e.g. Safari)
  • Provide Secure Release Services (requires Secure Release license)
  • Collect, store, and report user and print job information for Secure Release jobs (requires Secure Release license)
  • Collect, store, and report user and print job information for Direct Print jobs (requires Direct Print license)

Mac Print Scout Prerequisites

The Mac Print Scout supports the following versions:

  • macOS 10.15
  • macOS 11 (Big Sur) as well as the new Apple M1 CPU
  • macOS 12 (Monterey)
  • macOS 13 (Ventura)

Note: The latest version of macOS Print Scout (v2.22.105.100) complies with Apple's notarization requirements. For more information, refer to the Notarized macOS Print Scout document in the Pharos Community.

Mac Print Scout Installation Overview

To install Mac Print Scout:

  1. Download the Mac Print Scout installation package from the Secure > Setup Guide Make sure you've got your Site Encryption Key ready.
  2. Install the Mac Print Scout on a Mac workstation. See Installing Mac Print Scout.

  3. Deploy the Mac Print Scout on user workstations. See Deploy the Mac Print Scout.

  4. In the web console, verify that the Mac Print Scout was successfully installed. See Verifying Print Scout Installation.

Installed Files

During installation, all Print Scout application files are installed to /Library/Application Support/Pharos and all Print Scout data files are installed to /Library/Application Support/Pharos/PrintScout/AppData.

The Mac Print Scout installs approximately 306 MB of files on the local hard drive. These files include the following:

  • Print Scout application and other files

    • CUPSBackend
    • JobSender
    • Notifications
    • Page Counter
    • Print Scout
    • Document Management tool
    • Pharos Secure Release Setup Guide
    • Print Scout Configuration
    • Printer Drivers
    • SpoolerServiceMac
    • Uninstaller
  • Print Scout data files
    • Secure Release Log files
    • Registration information
    • Secure Release information
    • Settings

Log Files

Print Scout produces log information, which can be useful in troubleshooting problems. Here's a list of log files included in Mac Print Scout:

Log file Description
Install.log Log information which can be useful in troubleshooting problems with installations is written to /var/log/install.log.
PrintScout.log

For the Print Scout's interaction with the system, view the daily logs stored in /var/log/com.pharos.PrintScout.

JobSender.log

The Job Sender is responsible for sending job reporting information up to Pharos Cloud. Job Sender log files are written to /Library/Application Support/Pharos/PrintScout/AppData/Logs/JobSender.log

PrintScoutConfig.log

Log files related to the Print Scout Configuration tool are written toLibrary/Application Support/Pharos/PrintScout/AppData/Logs/PrintScoutConfig.log

Secure Print Service log

The Secure Print Service is the service responsible for handling secure jobs and printing them. Secure Print Service log files are stored in /Library/Application Support/Pharos/PrintScout/AppData/Logs/SecurePrintService.log.
Setup Guide log

Log information related to the Secure Print Setup Guide installed on user workstations are stored in this location:

/Users/[username]/Library/Logs/printscout-ui/workstation.log
Notifications log

You can find log files related to notifications (i.e. messages shown to users when sending print jobs via the default Secure Print queue) in this location:

/Users/[UserName]/Library/Logs/Notifications/log.log

 

Finding the Mac Print Scout version

To find the version of the Print Scout installed on user's workstation, open the Terminal app and type the following command:

/Library/Application\ Support/Pharos/PrintScout/PrintScout --version

Known Issues and Limitations

  • CUPS sandbox setting issue

    Upgrading Sierra (macOS 10.12) or High Sierra (macOS 10.13) to Mojave (macOS 10.14) on user workstations breaks the Mac Print Scout. Upgrading to Mojave resets the CUPS configurations the Print Scout installer set. The Print Scout requires sandboxing turned "off".

    We recommend the following solutions to fix this issue:

    • Uninstall and then reinstall the Print Scout. The installer automatically turns sandboxing off.

    OR

    • Manually turn off the sandboxing by adding a Sandboxing Relaxed line to the CUPs configuration. The following commands disables sandboxing and restarts the CUPS daemon.
    sudo bash -c 'echo "Sandboxing Relaxed" >> /etc/cups/cups-files.conf'
    sudo launchctl stop org.cups.cupsd
  • Policy Print is not supported on macOS.
  • macOS Scout does not show the correct version on the web client after upgrade.

  • Only a limited set of advanced finishing options are compatible with macOS Print Scout, namely Staple, Punch, and Watermark. This version does not support other advanced options such as Fold, Media & Quality options [Input Tray, Media Type and Quality], and Output tray.

  • On macOS Ventura, you may come across Media and Quality options, but if you expand it, it will be empty. This option should not be displayed as it is not currently supported by macOS Print Scout.

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