[WEB4LIB] printing management systems

[Phillip B. Whitford]

Laura,

We use OCS Manger for NT. It works very well for us. Previously we used the
honor system which didn't work so well. Patrons adapted to OCS quickly  and
our printing costs have dropped dramatically.  OCS supports either card
readers or coin op and we use coin op. It also supports an account debit
system which can be used for patrons or to monitor printing costs for staff
or special projects. OCS installs to a central NT server. A client is
installed on each public computer. A separate print controller computer is
connected directly to the printer and the coin op to manage the actual
printouts.

When a patron tries to print a dialog box pops up telling them how many
pages and what it will cost.  If they click OK the job is sent to the print
management station.  It goes into a print queue and the patron  comes over,
selects their job, pays for it, and prints it. The patron has an option of
password protecting their job if they are afraid someone else might pay for
it and print it. Jobs that are not printed within a administrator selectable
time (we use 1 hour) are automatically deleted.

If you are interested I can provide more details on the installation and use
of the system.

Phillip B. Whitford
Braswell Memorial Library
344 Falls Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
252-442-1951
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Braswell Library

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Laura Jantek
Sent: Friday, November 23, 2001 3:46 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: [WEB4LIB] printing management systems


hi,
I am interested in finding out if any public libraires on web4lib are using
any commerically available pay for printing software--if so what one do you
use.  How's it work?
thanks a lot.
=================================================================
Laura Jantek                       ljantek at nsh.library.ns.ca
Virtual Library Manager      (902)490-5823
Halifax Regional Library     (902)490-5762(fax)
60 Alderney Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
B2Y 4P8