What is Xerox Remote Print Services?
Xerox Remote Print Services is a "basic print services" offering designed to help clients self-manage their print fleet.
Using the required Xerox Device Assistant software, Xerox Remote Print Services will provide the ability to self-manage a Xerox fleet; simplify the connection and reporting for automated meter reads (AMR) and automatic supplies replenishment (ASR); and is further enhanced by Xerox Device Direct which enables the collection of incremental device performance information used to facilitate improved service and support of your Xerox equipment.
Is there any cost associated with Xerox Remote Print Services?
No – participation in Xerox Remote Print Services and access to the required Xerox® Device Agent software is available at no additional cost. Contact your Xerox Sales representative for details on how to start participating in Xerox Remote Print Services.
What equipment is required?
Xerox® Device Agent may be installed on a customer's desktop computer or server that shares the network with those printers to be monitored. Please note that Xerox® Device Agent cannot be installed on a domain controller and a user account with administrative or power-user permissions is required.
Information on specific system requirements and unsupported configurations can be found in the Xerox® Device Agent User Guide or the Xerox® Device Agent Security and Evaluation Guide.
What data is transmitted to Xerox?
Generally speaking, the data transmitted includes meter values, supplies usage quantities, device fault and performance metrics. In addition, there is information with regard to the specific product type and its configuration. Acquired data does not include customer document or file content that might have been copied, printed, scanned or faxed using the Xerox equipment.
For additional detail regarding the acquired data elements refer to the Xerox Remote Print Services Security White Paper or the Xerox® Device Agent Security and Evaluation Guide.
How does Xerox Remote Print Services impact my network environment?
While the collection and transmission of data required to administer Xerox Remote Print Services leverages your network environment, the size of the payload is relatively small. For example, the typical data file transmitted to Xerox is ~50KB in size per device. The default setting for the frequency of these transmission is once a day.
If there is concern over the timing of the collection or transmission of the data, it is possible to configure the communications so they occur after business hours as long as the equipment and the PC or server hosting the Xerox® Device Agent installation is powered on.
Can Xerox access my network if I participate in Xerox Remote Print Services?
At no time does Xerox attempt to gain access to your network environment without your expressed permission. All communications between your equipment and Xerox is initiated from within your environment. The data that is routinely transmitted for use in administering Xerox Remote Print Services is limited to equipment specific identifiers, configuration, usage and performance metrics. Data collected does not include customer document or file content that might have been copied, printed, scanned or faxed using the Xerox equipment.
Is the data used for Xerox Remote Print Services secure?
Xerox® Device Agent is compatible with the security features built into Microsoft Windows® operating systems. It relies on a background Windows® service running under the Local System account credentials to enable proactive monitoring of printers and gathering of data. The user interface that displays the gathered data is accessible only to the power users and administrators who have login access to the Windows® system. The communication method is further secured by the use of the HTTPS protocol (with 128 bit encryption) when submitting data to Xerox. HTTPS is HTTP using a Secure Socket Layer (SSL). Data transmitted to Xerox for use in administering automated meter reads (AMR), automatic supplies replenishment (ASR) and enhanced service /support is maintained consistent with ITIL best practices and the ISO 27000 standard. Be assured that the management of data integrity, privacy and protection are aligned with the highest available industry standards.
For more detail, refer to either the Xerox® Device Agent Security and Evaluation Guide or the Xerox Remote Print Services Security White Paper.
What is Device Direct & why do I need to connect via both Device Direct and Xerox® Device Agent?
Device direct is the term used to represent the capability that is embedded in many Xerox devices which enables the data required to administer Xerox Remote Print Services to be transmitted to Xerox. The data set transmitted via the device direct methodology compliments the data that is collected and communicated via Xerox® Device Agent by providing incremental data that enables improved service / support. Currently, in order to realize the maximum value of the Xerox Remote Print Services offering, the data sets from both Xerox® Device Agent and the device direct method are required.
How does Device Direct improve the service/support experience?
The incremental data sent via the device direct connection provides diagnostic information specific to the performance of your Xerox equipment. Included are fault information, configuration details, usage metrics and connectivity status. This information is available to Xerox service & support personnel in order to provide insight into the root cause of performance issues and enable more efficient troubleshooting / repair processes. The result is that your equipment is returned to service and available for use in a more timely manner.
What if I have CentreWare Web already?
Accounts that employ CentreWare Web as a device management application may continue to use it in addition to the Xerox® Device Agent software application which enables participation in Xerox Remote Print Services. Xerox® Device Agent is considered to be a device monitoring application while CentreWare Web provides incremental capabilities that are required to actively manage the equipment within your IT network environment.
It is important to note that, if both CentreWare Web and Xerox® Device Agent are installed in your environment, they must not be running on the same PC or server.
Where do I go for support?
Support for Xerox Remote Print Services is provided in the same manner by which you receive support for your Xerox equipment. Visit the support website at http://www.support.xerox.com.
I am interested in Xerox Remote Print Services – how do I get started?
Click here to learn more about Xerox Remote Print Services or contact your Xerox Sales representative for details on how to start participating in Xerox Remote Print Services.