• Windows-powered network print appliance that can be configured, deployed and maintained easily from any remote workstation
• Improves network efficiency by allowing IT Managers to offload print traffic from the main backbone.
• Minimal configuration required. Automatically discovers all print devices on the network, creates print queues, and enables one-click loading of printer drivers
• Simplified installation; No additional hardware of software required

Canon Print Server Appliance automates the entire process of setting up print devices on a network. Once the Print Server appliance is connected to a network, it will automatically discover all print devices – both Canon and non-Canon brands that utilize the standard printer MIB -- and then automatically create print shares for those devices and publish them on an intranet page generated by the appliance. In the case of certain Canon imageRUNNER devices, the appliance will automatically detect the exact configuration of the device and enable the appropriate finishing features in the driver. The IT Manager can then direct his/her client users to a separate intranet page so that they can - with a single click - download the appropriate drivers and start printing.

IT Managers can use Print Server Appliance for trouble-free configuration and installation of up to 50 digital copiers and printers on the network. It also has extended capabilities, such as automatic updates from the web for both the PSA as well as print drivers for Canon devices. All of which can free the IT Manager to focus his or her attentions on more pressing network matters.

The Canon Print Server Appliance is part of Canon's Enterprise Services Platform™ (ESP), a family of hardware and software solutions that are designed specifically to improve the way in which organizations manage their network printing and copying needs. ESP is based on a Canon-developed modular open systems technology that is highly scalable and can grow along with your enterprise. ESP was designed in such a way that both hardware and software components can plug into the underlying architecture. Once Canon Print Server Appliance or another piece of core technology is placed into an organization, additional ESP-based software applications can be added.

Canon Printer Server Appliance also supports the print tracking functions of Canon NetSpot Accountant (also available from IKON). These functions are available when Print Server Appliance is installed in an environment where NetSpot Accountant is being utilized with a Canon imageRUNNER device. When users download their imageRUNNER driver from the PSA, Canon’s NetSpot Suite Services are available. As a result, the following print driver functions are enabled:

• The user will be able to see the mailbox names on the imageRUNNER device.
• The driver’s job accounting functionality is enabled.

Most organizations today utilize one or more print servers to manage their day-to-day printing usage. Print servers give IT Managers more control over their environment. By creating print queues via a print server, the IT Manager can monitor print jobs, set up systems to streamline the process, and control the overall network traffic. If the main network needs reconfiguration or if there are specific print related issues, it is easier to diagnose and resolve issues when a print server is used.

There are many general purpose servers currently on the market. Unfortunately, most of these devices require the IT Manager to invest a substantial amount of time configuring and maintaining to perform its basic functions. IT Managers usually have to manually load the drivers on to a file server and instruct the users on how to access them…or do it for the user – a process that must be repeated whenever a device is taken out of service, added, or new driver version is released. All in all, it is a very painstakingly manual process.

The Canon Printer Server Appliance offers the IT Manager numerous time-saving benefits and advantages over these general purpose servers:

• Minimal configuration required. Because it is an appliance, simply plug it into your network. Set up is automatic.
• Print Server Appliance will automatically discovers all print devices on the network including non Canon devices that support the standard printer MIB.
• Print Server Appliance will automatically create shares for discovered print devices.
• IT Managers can utilize Print Server Appliance’s two network ports to offload the print traffic from the network’s main backbone to a private subnet (alleviate network traffic as well as provide added security).
• IT Managers can make available the print drivers to the client population by directing them to a website.
• IT Managers can access the PSA administration web pages from any location within the enterprise intranet.

The Canon Print Server is also intuitive and easy for end users to find and install their appropriate drivers—and that means a lot less service calls to the IT Manager every time a new driver needs to be loaded:

• Users need only to click on one “install” button on a web page to download the correct drivers for a printer.
• Users no longer have to search for the correct printer driver through hard to find file servers, or worse, having to wait for assistance from the IT Manager.
• Clients are assured of true Windows printing.

Canon Print Server appliance can be used to enable and manage all Canon networked printers and MFP’s (including those in the imageRUNNER series), as well as network printers from most leading manufacturers.