automatic printing from a scanned folder

[keithxxiii]

Hello,

Just making sure not making a mess this time. (thanks to those who DM'ed me)

Client requires a configuration where all scanned documents to a folder is automatically printed.
Can I do this on a RICOH device? Or a third party software is required.

Thanks for your patience.

[rthonpm]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

Have client scan the document, then tell them the hard copy came from the printer. This definitely seems to be one of the most bizarre requests I've ever heard since it defeats the entire purpose of scanning since you already have the output you need.

The MFP itself can't do what they want, they would have to use a script of some kind server side that looks for new files and outputs them.

Any idea what in the world they're trying to do?

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[SalesServiceGuy]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

I have seen "Watched" file folders where when a scanned document arrives, some other piece of software forwards it to be processed. This is often a TWAIN application used in medical systems.

Maybe that "other" software can both automatically process and print it?

Most businesses are trying to reduce their printed pages not increase them.

Maybe the target scan location is not close to the copier and that is why they want a second copy printed?

[rthonpm]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

Maybe the target scan location is not close to the copier and that is why they want a second copy printed?

It sounds like the OP wanted the same MFP to both scan and print the document. We're going to really need some insight into the thought process on this before coming up with specific ideas. From what I can see, they have a hard copy already so why print another out?

That said, I have a few clients still stuck in the 1990's in their internal operations so I can sympathise with the head scratching on this one.

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[Hansoon]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

I have a few clients still stuck in the 1990's in their internal operations

You, too, has such a client? I have one, a nationwide company with over 10,000 employees, still wanting me to service their Di-351 Minolta machines. This just after I refused completely to look anymore for them to an analog Toshiba 5560 in the head office. LOL

IDIOTS! But I make easy money over there with all their printers and MFP's they have.

Hans

[KenB]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

It sounds like the OP wanted the same MFP to both scan and print the document. We're going to really need some insight into the thought process on this before coming up with specific ideas. From what I can see, they have a hard copy already so why print another out?

That said, I have a few clients still stuck in the 1990's in their internal operations so I can sympathise with the head scratching on this one.

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There are a number of third party apps that could do this, but all come with a cost. For instance, eCopy ShareScan can scan to folder or email, and also has a “scan to printer” function.

If the client is looking to get this either very inexpensively, or free, it’s not happening.

They will need to understand that before you go any further.

As rthon mentioned, a deeper understanding will be required before spewing any possible solutions.

[techsxge]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

i think we are all confused on the same level here... I have an idea or two for what he might want but cant stop thinking about what you guys said here

[keithxxiii]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

It's a finance company that has distant small branches. A client will submit documents, this document needs to be signed and stamped from H.O. H.O then sends it back to the branch thru courrier so their client can collect the next day.

I was looking at a software called foldermill, and also trying to run some scripts using PowerShell. Foldermill has the progress so far, but it requires a license.

[rthonpm]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

So it is a workflow stuck in the past. It looks like Foldermill is going to be your best bet in this case since there is actual support as opposed to an unmanaged PowerShell cmdlet or other type of script.

Long term, an investment for digital signatures would likely be the way to go. It's going to be cheaper than the expense of couriers and all of the other manual processes that appear to be involved in their workflow.

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[KenB]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

It's a finance company that has distant small branches. A client will submit documents, this document needs to be signed and stamped from H.O. H.O then sends it back to the branch thru courier so their client can collect the next day.

I was looking at a software called foldermill, and also trying to run some scripts using PowerShell. Foldermill has the progress so far, but it requires a license.

I'd say if Foldermill does the job, that would be a reasonable solution.

It looks like the trial mode is good for 14 days, and puts a watermark on each page. The pricing appears to be a one-time fee of $499 per workstation, fairly inexpensive in the world of these types of solutions.

Make sure though, that you are willing to support it, "cradle to grave", as it were, as any solution you suggest to a customer you end up owning.

Word of caution: I've done this before over the years, researching and suggesting a third -party software. Let's just say it does not always work out well.

[techsxge]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

Why not using a ps Script?

$scandir=c:\scan $scanbackdir=C:\scan\backup $sumatra=C:\Program Files (x86)\SumatraPDF\SumatraPDF.exe $pdftoprint=""
$printername= Your Printer Name


echo $(get-date) - Checking for new files...


Get-ChildItem -Path $scandir -filter *.pdf| % { $pdftoprint=$_ $(get-date) - Printing file - $pdftoprint on Printer - $printername | $sumatra -silent $scandir\$pdftoprint -print-to $printername


sleep 5


$(get-date) - Moving file - $pdftoprint to - $scanbackdir directory | Move-Item -force $scandir\$pdftoprint $scanbackdir

I dont see anything wrong with using a ps script. Just create a windows scheduled task for it and you should be good to go.

(I took the powershell script out of a bigger script i wrote for something similiar years back. Might need to be changed a bit but in theory this should work.)

[rthonpm]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

In general, I'm not opposed to using scripts for things like this in the right environment. If it's a customer that we manage all of their IT assets, then going the script route is usually our first option. If it's one where all we manage are their printers/MFP's then it's usually better to go with a third-party solution that their IT staff can directly manage and have access to a support staff.

I've been caught in several situations where scripts floated around that were created by previous staff members that worked until they didn't, and then it became an adventure either trying to decipher the poor code they did on the script, or to find out that it hadn't been doing what it was supposed to for years because it referenced a specific machine, user account, or other process that no longer existed. I even had one case where the script was set up to still output even if there were errors so the client had close to a year's worth of empty output files!

[progoffice]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

Kyocera devices have a "Send and Print" option. I just tested it here in the office.

It scanned to the folder I selected and then printed the document that was scanned. Not sure if Ricoh's have a similar option.

[KenB]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

In general, I'm not opposed to using scripts for things like this in the right environment. If it's a customer that we manage all of their IT assets, then going the script route is usually our first option. If it's one where all we manage are their printers/MFP's then it's usually better to go with a third-party solution that their IT staff can directly manage and have access to a support staff.

I've been caught in several situations where scripts floated around that were created by previous staff members that worked until they didn't, and then it became an adventure either trying to decipher the poor code they did on the script, or to find out that it hadn't been doing what it was supposed to for years because it referenced a specific machine, user account, or other process that no longer existed. I even had one case where the script was set up to still output even if there were errors so the client had close to a year's worth of empty output files!

Exact same issue here.

Some years back we had a guy on our team was was a programmer. He wrote tons of custom apps using Turbo Pascal at that time. They (normally) worked great, and life was good. Unfortunately, he left the company, and took his skills with him.

Not long after, it got really ugly trying to mend and adapt the code in his absence. Customers' needs and environments changed to the point where his code no longer worked, and we had to scramble; sometimes it was costly.

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: automatic printing from a scanned folder

I'd say if Foldermill does the job, that would be a reasonable solution.

It looks like the trial mode is good for 14 days, and puts a watermark on each page. The pricing appears to be a one-time fee of $499 per workstation, fairly inexpensive in the world of these types of solutions.

Make sure though, that you are willing to support it, "cradle to grave", as it were, as any solution you suggest to a customer you end up owning.

Word of caution: I've done this before over the years, researching and suggesting a third -party software. Let's just say it does not always work out well.

I think there's a question that should be asked. If a copier company (you) are willing to support this new feature/software, how do you plan to make money off of it? And if you're not, then should you do it?