The PaperCut iPad / iOS App

The PaperCut App for iPad is required for printing to PaperCut managed printers as it provides authentication (linking up users with their print jobs). It can also provide balance display, print job confirmation, shared account selection and message notification.

Deployment

Deploying the App to devices is simply a matter of having the user access a URL of the form http://[primary-server]:9191/ipad/install, where [primary-server] is the preferred hostname or IP address of your primary PaperCut server.

Accessing the installation URL manually, using Safari

Figure 21.2. Accessing the installation URL manually, using Safari

Tip

For easier distribution of the installation URL, try adding a link on an intranet page, sending it in an email or printing the URL on posters. It may help to add a short DNS name for your print server or even set up a simple redirect URL (e.g. http://myorg/ipad/install -> http://print-server.myorg.edu:9191/ipad/install).

After accessing the installation URL on an iOS device an Install Profile dialog should appear. Follow the promps to install the App. Afterwards, a Printing App (actually a Web Clip) should be available on the home screen.

The "Install Profile" dialog, displayed after accessing the installation URL

Figure 21.3. The "Install Profile" dialog, displayed after accessing the installation URL

The PaperCut App for iPad on the home screen

Figure 21.4. The PaperCut App for iPad on the home screen

For alternative and advanced deployment options, see the section called “Advanced App Deployment”.

Usage

The PaperCut App for iPad is used to:

  • Authenticate the user and their print jobs.

  • Display the user's balance.

  • Perform print job confirmation.

  • Perform shared account selection.

  • Perform other functionality such as message notification.

The PaperCut App for iPad (before printing)

Figure 21.5. The PaperCut App for iPad (before printing)

The following examples illustrate typical usage of the App for a student (immediate print) and a staff member (account selection).

Scenario: Student Printing

  1. The student prints from their selected app.

    Printing from iOS

    Figure 21.6. Printing from iOS

  2. The student closes the app and opens the Printing (PaperCut) app.

    Printing (PaperCut) app on the home screen

    Figure 21.7. Printing (PaperCut) app on the home screen

  3. The student enters their username and password. On a personal device this step only needs to be performed once. Future logins are performed automatically through the use of an authentication cookie.

    Authenticating to the PaperCut App for AirPrint

    Figure 21.8. Authenticating to the PaperCut App for AirPrint

  4. The student's print job is authentication and proceeds to print. The student can see their job's progress in the app.

    The PaperCut App for iPad (after printing)

    Figure 21.9. The PaperCut App for iPad (after printing)

Scenario: Staff Printing (Account Selection)

  1. The staff member prints from their selected app.

    Printing from iOS

    Figure 21.10. Printing from iOS

  2. The staff member closes the app and opens the Printing (PaperCut) app.

    Printing (PaperCut) app on the home screen

    Figure 21.11. Printing (PaperCut) app on the home screen

  3. The staff member enters their username and password. On a personal device this step only needs to be performed once. Future logins are performed automatically through the use of an authentication cookie.

    Authenticating to the PaperCut App for AirPrint

    Figure 21.12. Authenticating to the PaperCut App for AirPrint

  4. The print job is authenticated and is ready for account selection. The account selection dialog appears.

    The account selection dialog in the PaperCut App for AirPrint

    Figure 21.13. The account selection dialog in the PaperCut App for AirPrint

  5. The staff member selects their chosen shared account and touches Print. The job prints, and the staff member can see their job's progress in the app.

    The PaperCut App for iPad (after printing)

    Figure 21.14. The PaperCut App for iPad (after printing)