Thinprint’s “follow me” printing reduces administration, paper and toner usage

By Janine de Blois

Instead of sending a print job to a specific printer on a network, the follow me system allows the user to retrieve their print job from any printer on the network. Thinprint’s general manager, Charlotte Künzell, says, “Our printer virtualisation solutions not only save a company hardware; the new follow-me-printing also allows them to concretely reduce their paper and toner usage.”

The system is software based, requiring some hardware for authentication. There are three ways to retrieve a print job. From a multi-functional printer a user can input the data to commence the printing. It is also possible to authenticate using a smart card or a cell phone. This system not only saves on administration; It also saves paper and ink on forgotten print jobs and ensures sensitive material won’t be left to possibly fall into inappropriate hands.

Thinprint is working with its OEM partners, including Ricoh and Oki. It is implimenting an enhanced printing process through the use of print data compression, simplified administration, connection oriented bandwidth control, print-job tracking and SSL-encrypted transmission. Printers with displays, and thin client or print boxes with smartcard readers are also being considered as input devices.