PaperCut MF provides integration with Sharp MFDs, enabling the tracking, charging or billing of "off the glass" copying. The goal of PaperCut Software's embedded MFD solution is to leverage the capabilities of Sharp devices to provide walk-up copier users with the same set of rich application features provided in the print control area. These include:

• End user authentication including integration with single sign-on environments such as Active Directory, Open Directory, eDirectory, LDAP and others
• Optional proximity and swipe card authentication (via standard USB based readers)
• Group-based access control to the device and color copying
• Monitoring and control of photocopying, scanning and faxing (quotas, charging, allocation and logging)
• Allocation of copying, scanning and faxing to accounts/departments/cost-centers/projects
• Releasing jobs from a hold/release queue (secure printing)

Highlights of the Sharp embedded solution include:

consistency
The Sharp embedded solution is developed in-house by the PaperCut Software development team. This ensures that the copier interface is consistent with the workstation print interface, meaning users only have to learn one system and one set of terminology.

Charging to a shared account while printing from a workstation

Charging to a shared account while copying

integration
PaperCut is a single integrated solution where print, internet and copier control are all managed in the one system. Users have a single account and administrators have the same level of reporting and administration for all services. The embedded solution interacts with the PaperCut server using a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and web services based protocols.

Releasing a print job from a Sharp MFD

rate of development
PaperCut is developed under a release-often policy where new features are made available to users as soon as they are complete. Unlike hardware based solutions, new versions can be delivered to users regularly as software updates.

vendor neutrality
PaperCut remains true to its vendor neutral stance. All embedded solutions are equal and support all server OS's including Windows, Linux and Mac.

security
A large percentage of PaperCut's user base is in education environments where security is important. All embedded solutions are developed with security in mind. Where security objectives can't be satisfied, any deficiencies are fully disclosed.

Users with insufficient balance to perform copying are denied access to the MFD

integrated authentication

• Leverage your existing single sign-on infrastructure by allowing users to log in with the same username and password used elsewhere on the network. No need to remember and maintain multiple logins!
• Integrate with existing single sign-on environments such as:
  • Microsoft Active Directory
  • Apple Open Directory
  • Novell eDirectory
  • Other LDAP, NIS or POSIX environments
• Optionally authenticate using convenient ID numbers and optional PINs for extra security

Authenticating with a username and password at a Sharp MFD

real-time tracking

• Users are provided with realtime feedback of account balance and cost as the job proceeds
• Charge different types of copying at different rates
• All usage reported live in the PaperCut logs

seamless user experience

• Provide users with the same account selection options they use for printing via the popup
• If shared account access is granted, users have the option to select accounts from a list or using a PIN
• Control access to accounts using Active Directory groups

consolidated reporting and management
Consolidated management and reporting in either summary or detailed formats are readily available at the click of a button for all copies and prints across your entire fleet:

• By device (printers & copiers)
• By user
• By shared account (client, department, faculty)
• By location
• By date and time / period

For more information about reporting see the Reporting in detail tour section.

supported devices
PaperCut's embedded solution is designed to support any Sharp device supporting Sharp OSA 1.1 or newer. PaperCut has been extensively tested and certified by Sharp USA on the following current model range:

The following table is an indication of the supported models, although newer models may not be listed here. If you are unsure as to whether your model is supported, please ask your Sharp representative or reseller.