Discussion Papers
Remote Monitoring Suite
Introduction
Today's businesses are implementing Managed Print Solutions (referred to as "MPS") to better manage their office printing costs. MPS programs can cut costs, increase printer fleet performance, improve the end-user experience and contribute to a better overall bottom line. As part of an expert MPS offering, best-in-class providers use a Remote Monitoring (referred to as "RM") application to stay ahead of the supplies replenishment curve and take proactive steps to provide timely service and supplies. Printelligent has chosen FMAudit™ as its remote monitoring software to include in its best-in-class MPS offering.
Remote Monitoring uses standard, secure network and Internet protocols to gather information from your print devices and relay it to Printelligent. The core component of RM is the Data Collection Agent (referred to as "DCA"), which resides on a network workstation or server and periodically collects information from networked print devices, including meter read data (i.e. page count) or supplies level data (i.e. toner low). The DCA pushes the transmission of all data collected from your print devices to Printelligent. Printelligent queries the data received and analyzes it in order to provide both accurate MPS billing information and proactive service. In many cases we are aware of service needs before end-users place a service request. Lastly, RM data provides a comprehensive picture of print assets, allowing Printelligent to make specific recommendations about ways to optimize your printer fleet, further reducing costs.
Benefits of Remote Monitoring
Remote Monitoring of your print devices benefits both Printelligent and you, as a client. With full visibility into your printer fleet, Printelligent is able to better serve you. You also have access to the data and may choose to use the data internally to help you more closely track and manage office printing costs.
An Overview of the Benefits of Remote Monitoring:
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Printelligent Benefits
- Page count accuracy
- Piggy-backing of service calls
- Proactive technician dispatching for toner replacement
- Early identification of printer service needs
- Optimization consultation
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Mutual Benefits
- Timely gathering of page count data
- Enhanced service capability
- Greater visibility of printer fleet
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Client Benefits
- More accurate billing
- View of reporting data
- Timely service of printers
- Less printer downtime
- Strategic printer fleet planning
Data Gathering
The FMAudit DCA is named Onsite. Onsite monitors all print devices residing on your network. FMAudit's RM solution also has a local agent option called FMAudit Agent. FMAudit Agent is a small piece of software that can be installed on a locally networked workstation and bridges the gap between Onsite and printers connected to print devices via USB, Parallel, or even Bluetooth. With FMAudit Agent installed on affected PCs, Onsite can collect information from all of your print devices.
The above diagram illustrates how both Onsite and FMAudit Agent work together to collect data from your print devices. Also illustrated is the dataflow from FMAudit's licensing server for software updates and licensing validations, and the receiving end of the data collection process into FMAudit Central, installed at Printelligent.
Portal
FMAudit provides a web portal for Printelligent clients to view collected data. Printelligent will establish the first user logon for each client, after which your IT Manager may choose to establish user accounts for additional employees, once inside the portal. Inside the portal you will view the gathered printer device data sent to Printelligent from your printer fleet. You can also choose to update printer names in the portal to match your internal budgeting processes (i.e. based on departments, locations, etc.) to be reflected in your Printelligent invoice.
You can access Printelligent's FMAudit Portal at: https://fmaudit.printelligent.net
Installation
Installation of both Onsite and FMAudit Agent is a usually a very simple process and averages about 20 minutes to complete. FMAudit Agent is easily deployed via standard network-based software installation technologies. Some troubleshooting may be required if you are using a proxy server, but Printelligent's IT team is available to assist your IT staff during installation using remote assistance software.
Printelligent offers its Remote Monitoring services at no cost to its clients and to prospects during the sales engagement process. This value added service enhances your managed print experience and allows Printelligent to serve you even more efficiently. For more information on Printelligent's Remote Monitoring service, please go to: www.printelligent.com/manage/solution
Note: The technical summary is included in the downloadable version of this file located below.