1. Overview ... 3
2. Pre-requisites and Requirements ... 4
2.1 Gateway server requirements ... 4
2.2 Mobile device requirements ... 4
2.3 Availability of gateway ... 4
2.4 Availability of mobile apps ... 4
2.5 Ports and Protocols ... 4
2.6 Bar codes and QR codes ... 4
3. Configuring Pcounter pull queues ... 5
3.1 General concept ... 5
3.2 Creating a pull queue ... 5
3.3 Creating output queue ... 9
4. Install and configure Pcounter Mobile Gateway ... 12
4.1 Install Gateway ... 12
4.2 Configure Gateway ... 13
4.3 Add Devices ... 14
5. Install and run Pcounter Print Release app ... 16
6. Run Pcounter Mobile App in Demo Mode ... 17
7. Licensing ... 18
8. Sample email to users ... 19
1. Overview
The Pcounter Mobile applications and related gateway, allow users with mobile devices, to release print jobs from a pull queue to a printer, using just their mobile device as a release terminal.
The steps involved in configuring the Pcounter Mobile Apps, includes: 1. Configuring Pcounter pull queue and output queue
2. Installing and configuring Pcounter Mobile Gateway 3. Configure devices for Mobile App release
2. Pre-requisites and Requirements
2.1 Gateway server requirements
It assumed for this Pcounter Mobile App configuration that Pcounter for Windows has already been installed and configured.
The server on which the Pcounter Mobile Gateway is installed, must have a valid Pcounter PRO license, minimum Pcounter version 2.55.
A server with the following minimum specifications:
Supported servers include: Windows 2003 Server SP2 (32 or 64 bit), Windows 2008 Server SP1 (32 or 64 bit) or Windows 2008 R2 Server (32 or 64 bit) or newer
Recent generation server CPU processor, such as Intel Xeon 64 or equivalent
Minimum 1 GB free RAM memory
Minimum 5 GB free hard disk space
No anti-virus program monitoring or interrupting the Pcounter Mobile Gateway directories
2.2 Mobile device requirements
The Pcounter Print Release app is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (4th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.3 or later.
2.3 Availability of gateway
Download the Pcounter Mobile Gateway from your Pcounter representative’s own Web site, or the Pcounter Europe Web site at www.pcounter-europe.com/download
2.4 Availability of mobile apps
Download the Pcounter Print Release app for Apple iOS iPhones and iPad from the link below:
http://itunes.apple.com/dk/app/pcounter-mobile-print-release/id503814967?mt=8
2.5 Ports and Protocols
The Pcounter Mobile App communicates with the Pcounter Mobile Gateway installed on the Pcounter server via the HTTPS SSL encrypted TCP port 8444.
2.6 Bar codes and QR codes
The Pcounter Print Release app supports EAN/UPC bar codes, QR codes, Code 128, DataBar(RSS), Code 93, Code 39 and Interleaved 2 of 5.
3. Configuring Pcounter pull queues
This section outlines the basic steps to configure a Pcounter pull queue. If Pcounter pull queues are already configured, this section can be skipped.
3.1 General concept
Pull Printing (also known as “follow me printing”) involves sending print jobs to one single, centralized print queue which is accessible from all associated printers or MFP’s.
Users need only print to this one Pull queue then log into any printer or MFP and release their jobs when ready.
This section outlines the steps to configure pull printing. These same instructions apply for all Pcounter solutions that support pull printing.
3.2 Creating a pull queue
The pull queue is a "dummy" queue, meaning it does not relate to any specific printer, it is simply a "hold queue" for print jobs.
Choose a relevant port name, choose LPR protocol, enter 0.0.0.0 as IP address, as this signals to Pcounter, that the port is a hold queue.
Choose a name and share the print queue on the network, so users can print to the shared pull queue from their computers.
Via Pcontrol, open the newly created printers Pcounter configuration.
Configure pricing as needed, so the cost of the print job can be shown on the Pcounter Mobile App.
3.3 Creating output queue
Create an output printer, that users can release print jobs to. Choose to add a new printer, and select the Pcounter Port.
Enter the connection settings relevant for the particular destination printer.
Enter a recognizable name for the queue.
For printer sharing, there are 2 options:
1. If you want users only to print to the pullqueue and be able to release using only a terminal or similar release mechanism, then choose not to share the output queue. 2. If you want users to also be able to print directly to the printer in addition to the pull
queue, share the printer on the network.
Choose relevant accounting configuration. Log file only, to simply log what is being printed, or User account balances and log file, to both log and charge the users Pcounter balance.
Make sure that pricing is configured as appropriate, as the pricing on the output queue determines what the user is charged.
4. Install and configure Pcounter Mobile Gateway
A Pcounter Mobile Gateway application must be installed on the Pcounter data server, which the mobile applications will communicate with.
4.1 Install Gateway
Start by running the Pcounter Mobile Gateway installer.
At the end of the installation process, you have the option to go to Windows services to configure the service logon account.
Depending on the configuration of your Windows environment, it may be necessary to start the Pcounter Mobile Gateway service as a local administrative user.
4.2 Configure Gateway
Start the Pcounter Mobile Gateway program and first choose Server Config to configure the gateway connection to the Pcounter server.
4.3 Add Devices
On our Pcounter print server we added 1 pull queue and 2 output printers, Printer A and Printer B.
These devices should be added to the gateway, to make them available for the Pcounter Mobile Apps.
In the gateway, click the Add button to add a device. Enter a friendly name for the device, for example Building name – Office name, so users can relate to the printer name.
Add a barcode to the device, and a user can simply walk up to device, use the Pcounter Mobile app to take a picture of the barcode, and immediately choose which jobs to send to the printer they’re at.
5. Install and run Pcounter Print Release app
Install the Pcounter Mobile app from the iTunes app store.Upon first launching the app, the user must register with their network username and password, just as they would authenticate themselves on any other Pcounter release terminal. Registration only needs to be done once.
The Gateway host is the hostname, domain name or IP address of the server hosting the Pcounter Mobile Gateway. The Pcounter Mobile Gateway service runs per default on port 8444.
Once authenticated, the user can click on Show Print Jobs and select the printer they’re at. Either by taking a picture of a barcode, if available, or choose the destination printer from a list.
The print jobs available, will be listed, and the user can pick the jobs to either delete or print.
6. Run Pcounter Mobile App in Demo Mode
The Print Release app includes a demo mode which makes it possible to run the app without a real connection to a Pcounter server, simulating scanning barcodes, choosing printers, deleting and releasing print jobs.
7. Licensing
The Pcounter Mobile Gateway which is installed on the Pcounter server, installs with a 60 day trial license, without the need for a license key.
A license can be obtained from your Pcounter representative worldwide or by contacting Pcounter Europe.
License keys are unique to the particular server where the Pcounter Mobile Gateway is installed. If the server where the program is installed is renamed or changed significantly, a new license key must be issued.
Changes to server which will trigger a new license key requirement include CPU or primary MAC address changes.
8. Sample email to users
When the Pcounter Mobile Gateway has been installed and configured, and Pcounter Print Release app tested and confirmed working, send an announcement to your users that the new service is available:
Dear [FIRSTNAME],
We’re happy to announce our new secure “follow me” print capability.
Print from your workstation to the new printer called [INSERT PULL QUEUE NAME
HERE] and your print jobs will be held securely until you release them at the
printer of your choice.
To release your print jobs, use your iPhone or iPad with the new Print Release app that you can download from the link below:
http://itunes.apple.com/dk/app/pcounter-mobile-print-release/id503814967?mt=8
When you run the app the first time, you need to register. Enter your normal network username and password when prompted, and for server details enter the following:
Gateway host: [IP ADDRESS OR DOMAIN NAME OF SERVER] Gateway host port: 8444
If you have any problems, please contact IT support.
9. How to create barcodes or QR codes
Bar codes and QR codes can be created in many number of ways. Either using special programs, or fonts for creating codes in a Word document and printing on labels.
Download a free TrueType barcode font from the link below:
http://www.barcodesinc.com/free-barcode-font/
Many companies produce bar code printer devices, some examples include:
http://www.barcodesinc.com/cats/barcode-printers/
Or buy already printed barcode labels:
http://www.barcodesinc.com/cats/labels/
A very simple free online service for creating QR codes:
