Chrome Direct Print

Chromebooks have used Google Cloud Print (GCP) as the default printing option. In 2019, Google announced that it will no longer support GCP as of December 31, 2020. To support customers using Chromebooks, we introduced the  Pharos Chome Print, a lightweight browser extension that makes it easy to print from Chromebooks or the Chrome browser on any OS.

Note: The Direct Print for Chrome feature is available only for Pharos Beacon. It is not yet available for Uniprint or Blueprint Enterprise.

Chrome Direct Print User Experience

  1. Users add and configure the Pharos Chome Print extension on their Chromebooks or Chrome browsers:
    1. IT Admins can deploy the extension to all users via the Google Admin Console
    2. Users can add and configure the extension individually. Users receive an email with instructions to install and configure the extension.
  2. Upon successful configuration, the user is prompted for their corporate login credentials.
  3. The user adds a printer to use with Direct Print
  4. The user modifies the print attributes (e.g., double-sided, number of copies, etc.) as desired.
  5. The user prints and collects the documents from the printer.

Installing and Configuring the Pharos Chome Print

Add the Chrome extension site to the Trusted Sites list

For the Chrome extension to function correctly, you will need to enable the Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) option on your device (if it's not already enabled) and add the following to the Trusted Sites list.

chrome-extension://edgejglbmeppigpebgokkjnkpeigghih

Install and Configure the Pharos Chome Print

The following section shows how to install and configure the Pharos Chome Print on a user’s Chromebook or Chrome browser.

1. Log in to your Google Account (if you are not already logged in).

2. Navigate to the Chrome Web Store.

3. Search for the Pharos Chome Print extension.

4. Select Add to Chrome.

5. In the screen that appears, click Add extension.

6. Once installed, the extension will need to be configured. Find the Pharos Chome Print icon on the Chrome menu.

Note: The extension may be initially hidden under the Chrome extensions icon.

7. Enter the Configuration URL and press Submit. You can obtain the URL from your site administrator.

8. Log in using your Gmail credentials.

9. Add a new printer for use with Direct Print. See instructions below.

Adding a Printer to the Pharos Chome Print

After a user has successfully installed and configured the Pharos Chome Print extension, the next step is to add a printer that users can print to.

1. Find the Pharos Chome Print icon on the Chrome menu.

2. Select My Printers and then select Add Printer.

3. Select Add Printer.

4. Select a location. If location isn't configured, you can select the All Printers option. This displays a list of all available printers in your organization.

5. Select a printer by clicking the + Add button. You will see the message Printer has been saved successfully.

Note: You can also search for a printer by typing any of the following printer information: Printer Label, IP address, or hostname.

6. Begin Printing!

Direct Printing to Pharos Chome Print

  1. From your Chrome browser, open a document or image that you want to print. You can open documents from Google Docs, Google Drive, etc.
  2. Print the document (File-Print).
  3. In the Destination field, click the down arrow and select the printer you added. If you do not see it, select See More… and search for the printer you've added.
  4. (Optional) Change print options if desired. Click More settings to see more printing options.
  5. Click Print.

Adding a Local Network Printer to Pharos Chome Print

Note: The ability to add a Local Network Printer is available only upon request.

1. Select My Printers and then select Add Printer.

2. In the search bar, select Add local network printer.

3. Enter the hostname or IP address of the printer you want to add.

4. Select Save Printer. You will see the message Printer has been saved successfully.

Chromebook Reporting

Secure Release includes reporting on direct print jobs sent via the Chrome Print extension.

  • Documents printed to managed printers (i.e., printers added by an administrator) on the Chrome extension are now reported. The Documents printed per employee report shows Chrome Extension for Pharos under the Application column.
  • Documents printed to printers added by users locally are reported as “Unknown devices”.

Note: You will need a Print Analytics license to view Direct Print job reports.

Note: If the Chromebook extension was installed prior to the June update, you will need to add your direct printer to Chrome again for the reporting feature to work.

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