New in LPT:One v4.2

LPT:One Version 4.2 completes the development of the Next Generation design by delivering a new Client in conjunction with updates to the other modules that make up the LPT:One system. Every component has been updated and architectural changes in the communication layer have been implemented to speed performance, improve reliability, and enhance security.

Driver Independence
The new Client system is free from concern over driver compatiblity. A new EnvisionWare Virtual Printer (EVP) is automatically created by the Client for each Printer Family. This new driver completely eliminates use of drivers from printer manufacturers and ensures consistent and accurate page counting and rendering. Print jobs are composed and calculated by a new Print Service. Since the EVP is created by the Client, there is no need to install any printer drivers on each public computer. As printers change, there is no required change on any Client - never revisit a Client to update or change a printer again.

Cross Platform Design
The new 4.2 Client runs on Java. That means it's designed to work on a variety of operating systems. If your PC doesn't have Java, the installer will automatically download and install it for you.

The new Client is written for full compliance with Vista. Vista is now part of the QA test process for LPT:One Clients. LPT:one 4.2 works seamlessly with Terminal Services and Citrix systems.

EnvisionWare's LPT:One 4.2 supports Macintosh OS 10 on Intel and PowerPC platforms. The appearance and workflow are IDENTICAL to that of the Windows Client, providing a consistent look and feel across different operating systems.

Centralized Configuration
All settings including default printers and supported Families are configured using the LPT:One Administrator. There are no Registry entries on Clients and nothing to configure locally making this a truly centralized product - ideal for any size network, and mandatory for rollout campus wide.

Auto-Release Modes
LPT:One has always supported release from either a print station or a Client. In the 3.x series, this was called pass-through printing. LPT:One 4.2 supports AAM Auto-Release. Mode 0 disables Client release, forcing all print release to occur at a Print Release Terminal. Mode 1 emulates the 3.x model in which users with sufficient funds can submit and release jobs at each Client. The 4.2 Mode 2 supports a mixed model. Users with sufficient funds in allocation, credit, or deposit (any allowed combination in administrator-defined order) can release jobs directly from the Client. Users with insufficient funds or guests will have jobs held until released and paid at a Print Release Terminal.

Easier Installation
A completely new installation system has been created to make installing easier and faster. Installers provide intuitive choices that are easy to understand. Installers navigate to the EnvisionWare license database to make it fast and easy for you to get your license file.

Clients can auto-discover a Job Queue Engine (the central host for the LPT:One print system) or use an admin-entered IP address in the installer. The standard Client installation requires no management of Windows firewall ports. (Wireless installations require opening a port which is an automatic prompt provided by Windows.)

Language Support
The Next Generation language technology in 4.2 provides seamless switching from English to Spanish to French and is completely integrated with PC Reservation® language control. Because the system is Unicode-based, Chinese and other character based languages are easily adopted. Every word on every screen can be customized and even HTML-tagged for emphasis, color, and other appearance attributes. Languages including customized screen messages are controlled centrally with the new Language Manager that installs on the Job Queue Engine PC.

Updated Portable/Wireless System
The wireless support components have been completely redesigned. An embedded web server delivers the transient Client for user-owned laptops, eliminating the need to configure a library web server for this option. The Job Queue Engine installs this new process automatically. Automatic Client registration permits easy IP routing and eliminates dependence on NetBIOS names. If a portable user keeps a copy of the remote Client on his or her computer, the system will automatically update the Client when it connects.

New Auto-Update Architecture
The Auto-update system has been designed from the ground up. A new web-based protocol delivers updates securely and quickly. Updates occur regardless of logged in user privileges whenever new versions are installed on the Job Queue Engine computer. PRTs update in a flash without user intervention. It's even possible to post an update while your users are using your computers because the updater advises of an unobtrusive update process and then progresses in the background.

The new updater moves you painlessly from a 3.13 system or a 4.x earlier release to the Version 4.2 system. (Customers migrating from 3.x should consult Professional Services about system design changes to take full advantage of the 4.x architecture.)

Greater Control
The LPT:One Administrator permits control of PRT visibility. If you want to hide the pickup location of staff-managed PRT's, one click of a mouse hides any or all staff PRTs. Screen prompts and customized messages are easily changed in each supported language. You can control which Printer Families are supported on each Client by an easy to use include/exclude configuration window.

Duplex printing and pricing is configured centrally on the Administrator and context sensitive help explains the settings.

Improved Diagnostics
A new logging system, designed with our customers in mind, provides separate user and developer logs. Logging can be easily reconfigured by the system administrator to control log size and other attributes. The Client connection log provides a quick glimpse of Client update status so that you can quickly see which Clients have connected and the version of Client software installed per computer.

Much More
These are just the highlights. There's a much bigger story to tell. The 4.2 release was tested using EnvisionWare's new pre-release testing program, the most extensive field testing program in our history. Customers provided valuable feedback each step of the way to ensure optimal interoperability and to change a variety of preferences and features to match customer expectations. The result is an intuitive and very stable design that represents quite simply the best print management system for libraries and campuses around the globe.