At Your Service

In our continuing series on ConnectKey™  today we will be talking about the features available to help you manage your printer and thereby save time and money.   Please watch this short video and then we will explore some of the features. 

ConnectKey has a robust user permissions.  This will allow you to control how, when and how much people can print.  The permissions will let you control things like duplex printing saving on paper.  You can also control how and when people can print in color.  For example you can restrict some types of documents like email to printing only in black and white.  While allowing Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint to print in color.  You can also decide when color printing will be available to keep people from printing in color after hours. 

ConnectKey can also help you restrict who accesses the machine.  With a card reader over 85 card types can be read to enable users to log into the device using a proximity card, student ID, or security card.  Using the Card reader provides  a secure method of authentication, tracking usage and billing.

ConnectKey multifunction printers are compatible with Cisco® EnergyWise, an energy management solution that allows IT operations and facilities to measure and fine-tune power usage to realize significant cost savings. For example, with Cisco energy management solutions, you can set power states for the multifunction printer for optimal power savings. You can also set the multifunction printer to go to sleep mode after 10 minutes, get current power consumption information, and set timeout to low power and sleep modes.

Other money saving features include the Earth Smart settings in the print drivers, Accounting capabilities for accurate billing and default settings that can enforce the use of duplex or double sided prints.  To find out more about these specific features you can search on the support page for your machine. 

You can also check out the ConnectKey site and brochure for additional information.

No, this is not the watermark left on your wood furniture when your friend puts that glass covered in condensation down right next to the coaster!!!  Nor is it the mark left after the flood caused by bubble bath gone wrong the night that babysitter used too much Mr. Bubble!!  But I digress…   A watermark, in this case, is an image printed in the background of a copied or printed page or pages. Watermarks can be used on a document to designate the document as confidential or as a draft.  Or you can put a version number or a date on the document.  There are several predefined watermarks you can use or you can create your own.  The watermark is a handy feature on many of our machines. 

I like watermarks because it is a visual representation to let me know I am working, for instance, with a draft version of a document, this is very helpful for documents that are printed out multiple times for editing and revising.  Watermarks can also be used to put your name on a document you created, that way no one can take credit for your work!!  Watermarks are a simple way to secure your confidential or intellectual property.   The marks can be customized; you can choose the size, orientation, font and even color of the watermark to fit your needs. 

Watermarks can also be added to copies on some of our machines.  Standard watermarks available for copies include the words Draft, Confidential, the Date and Time, a Control Number or a watermark of your creation.  The watermark is a great security feature as well because they cannot be removed or manipulated as you might be able to do with a header or footer. 

To learn more about the watermarks available on your machine please search for “watermark” in Online Support for your model machine.  To get to your machine’s support page click here and enter your machine model number, then type ”watermark” in the search field. 

Below I have added the screenshots of the Watermark Editor on the Windows drivers (watermark editor is also available in the Mac drivers) and a screenshot of what the copy watermark screen might look like on your machine.  The third image is a couple of samples of watermarks.  Click on the images to bring up a larger view.  Remember your screens may vary depending on your model of machine and how your machine is set-up, so these screenshots are only examples.  Example, another good watermark word!!

Xerox has a new key to security for your data and business.  We reviewed the new ConnectKey in an overview article last week.  Today we are going to the explore the security features in more detail.  The new Xerox ConnectKey offers security similar to that for a PC but this security is for your multifunction printer.  This security will help to keep viruses and malware from attacking your multifunction printers.  ConnectKey also controls access to end points on the network making the multifunction printer a fully secured network citizen. 

So how does this work? Well, Xerox, through ConnectKey is the first company to offer McAfee whitelisting technology for multifunction printers.  This insures that only approved and predefined applications, files and code will run on your Xerox multifunction printers.  The multifunction printers will also detect and prevent unauthorized access and send you alerts.  To learn more about how the partnership between Xerox and McAfee works to protect you check out the webpage.

The ConnectKey multifunction printers also include the Cisco TrustSec^®.  Cisco TrustSec^®  is an intelligent access control solution.  With minimal effort Cisco TrustSec^® mitigates security risks by providing comprehensive visibility into who and what devices are connecting across your network.  It also offer control over where those with proper permission can go and what they can access.   

There are also several standard security features that begin working to secure your data as soon as you power on the ConnectKey multifunction printer.  These features include 256 bit HD encryption with overwrite, secure print with timeout deletion and secure external email connectivity that encrypts data transfer.  Check out this short video to find out more about some of these security features. 

As always you can find out more by visiting the ConnectKey site .  As always there are support pages available for many of the features of ConnectKey. You can also find more information about security at the Xerox Security site.  With ConnectKey you can continue to safeguard your data against the “Curious Kelly” and anyone else that would try access your information.

Do you ever get tired of trying to figure out which print driver to use?  Have you ever sent a document to a printer in another zip code because you picked the wrong driver?  Have you ever wondered why you have a list of drivers longer than your screen?  Well if you answered yes to any of these questions then do I have a driver for you - the Xerox® Global Print Driver™ (X-GPD).  The X-GPD is a universal driver that offers simplified use for IT personnel or network administrators that are managing a diverse set of print devices across a network.  The X-GPD will also greatly reduce the time and effort required to install and upgrade print drivers.   

Okay I see those doubting faces but let me tell you about this driver, the Xerox Global Print Driver lets you print to almost any printer or multifunction printer, but wait there’s more.  This Global Print Driver works with not only Xerox products but even those made by other manufactures. It is truly a universal driver supporting Xerox and non-Xerox printers PostScript and PCL.

So what are some of the advantages of the Global Driver?  This X-GPD driver allows IT people to create global print application settings like duplex or black and white printing to save costs. Another Earth smart feature is Print Job ID which prints the job/user information in the margin on the first page which can eliminate costly and wasteful banner pages. The common interface will also cut down on training when a new printing device is added to the network.  Just plug in the new device and give it the same IP address as the old printer (or redirect the port).  The Xerox Global Print Driver automatically discovers the device and updates users’ feature options.  No requalification or reinstallation necessary!  The user interface shows most-used features on the first tab, so users can easily find and select printer options.  The driver is available is 25 languages. 

If you already have the Xerox Global Print Driver please make sure that you check occasionally on the driver page for new or updated releases of the driver and update your driver as appropriate. 

Please take a look at the brochure for more information on this great driver.  Then download your own copy of the X-GPD driver.  Still want to know more?  Check out all the information on the Xerox® Global Print Driver™ webpage.  Need assistance while using the driver?  Check out the Online Support for the X-GPD.

Let’s talk about Xerox MySupport which is actually your support not my support, I know it sounds like that classic and genius Abbott and Costello routine “Who’s on First”, if you haven’t ever seen it, check it out, I have posted it below.   

Back to the topic, have you seen this tool called Xerox MySupport?  Well if you haven’t you are missing out on a tool that will save you time and really impress you if you are into major organization and simplicity.   Seriously this is like the ultimate organizer but for your Xerox printing equipment.  The Xerox MySupport portal will allow you to customize your interface to display information about all your equipment and allow you to receive notifications about new drivers, security updates, and support updates.  If your devices are set up for automated services included with the Smart eSolutions you can also monitor the printer’s status, usage patterns, view your ink/toner levels and meter reads between billings.  You can even export data about your machines to create your own reports and graphs.  The MySupport portal is completely customizable so that you only receive the information about your model of machine(s) and information that is pertinent to your business.   

We have great information about the free Xerox MySupport portal on the MySupport portal web page.  There is also a brochure and a video tour of the portal.  I think you should take a look at these links and see how you can do some spring cleaning and organizing of your Xerox printers.  The MySupport portal, available for those  with Full Service Maintenance Agreements or rental / lease agreements, will make managing your printers so much easier with all the information you need in one place, no searching, no multiple clicking, so it will save you time too!  Check it out and you will see just how helpful this tool can be.  

Have you heard about Xerox ConnectKey?  Well over the next few weeks we will have some articles to help familiarize you with the ConnectKey features and functions.  But today let’s start with an overview of Xerox ConnectKey.  ConnectKey is a new technology that our multifunction printers are built on, that provide you simple-to-implement systems that give you practical solutions to streamline how you communicate, process and share important information, simplify complex paper driven tasks, and drive down costs.

Please watch this short video to see some of the functions addressed by Xerox ConnectKey. 

ConnectKey is a software system that provides ways to use your multifunction printer to simplify the way your work gets done. ConnectKey has industry leading security from our partnerships with McAfee® and Cisco® to provide additional security. 

ConnectKey Solutions can reduce waste and paper consumption, and save you time by helping you to do your job more effectively.  It is also compatible with energy management solutions like Cisco EnergyWise and contains features that help to reduce power consumption. 

The ConnectKey system provides solutions for your mobile workforce as well, with cloud ready mobile solutions and simplified workflows.  ConnectKey is available on some of Xerox’s new products, but there are also products that can be upgraded to the ConnectKey platform through a firmware upgrade.  The list of compatible machines includes both ColorQube and WorkCentre models, see if your machine is on the list. 

Please check out the links in this article for further information and watch for more articles in the At Your Service blog about the features of the new Xerox® ConnectKey™. 

Let’s talk about a couple of features used in the basic copy function -  Edge erase and Image shift.  These layout adjustments help to give you the highest quality copies possible by fixing some of the edge and alignment issues you might encounter if you use a less than perfect original. 

The edge erase will allow you to erase marks on copies that are made by punched holes, staples, headers, footers and any other stray marks in the margins.   By modifying the edge deletion parameters you can eliminate those unsightly marks so your original will look clean and show no evidence of the holes or staples.   With the edge erase feature you can choose All Edges which will produce a consistent margin erase on all margins from 0 to 2 inches in size.  The Individual Edges independently erases each margin in differing amounts between 0 to 2 inches. The Individual Edges feature gives you more flexibility; you can choose top, bottom, left or right and repeat the setting for 2 sided copies.

Edge Erase Screen Example

The Image Shift feature is a layout adjustment feature that will allow you to auto center the copy or adjust the image shift independently using the margin shift or the preset shift right and shift down features.  The image can be shifted in an amount from 0 to 2 inches.  Copies can also be made with a margin added to the top, bottom, left, or right. When making two-sided prints, the shift position can be set for both side one and side two.

To find the instructions for using these features on your machine access the support page for your machine and then search on edge erase or image shift.  Try incorporating these features next time you have a less than perfect original that you need to copy.  You will be surprised at how much better your copy will look.