Add the ability to manage chromebook / chrome use of iPrint printers via the Google Admin console.
There is a new chrome extension that allows printing direct to Novell iPrint printers. However there is currently no way to administratively assign the printers to users or devices. This extension solves many mobile / chromebook printing issues as it bypasses the entire Cloud Print system and sends the job directly to the already-existing iPrint printers. However to fully manage this solution in an enterprise environment, an enhancement is required to provide the required administrative functionality.
When the Micro Focus iPrint extension is installed from the web store, there should be a way for Google Apps for EDU / Business customers to manage the extension and printer assignments through the Google admin console linked dashboard app.
Required functionality includes the ability to assign iPrint printers based on the Google device OU, user OU, or user ID etc. This would allow customers to provision iPrint printers out to users based on device, user login ID, or both, much the same way that is done with ZENworks policies.
Additional functionality could include ability to restrict installation / removal of printers based on user / device / ou. There should also be the ability to allow or deny "guest" or unknown users/devices.
If this can't be done by linking into the Google Admin console as a dashboard app, it could be done by reading in the user/device/ OU structure via google API into the appliance itself, then having an interface in the appliance to assign the printers to devices/users, and the extension talks back to the appliance to figure out who gets what printer.
by: Paul B. | over a year ago | Administration
Comments
Micro Focus took a nice step forward with this chrome extension, however, Paul B is right. We need to be able to manage the printer assignments in some way and automate this process. This would go a long way in simplifying our environments and making iPrint a clear winner in the eyes of all the admins out there using your product. This is the right next step and something that is clearly needed.
How about iPrint Appliance Version 3? Can you Manage iPrint Chrome Extension printers through Google Admin console?
Paul is correct, IT departments need this!
Lemont H.S. is willing and interested to Beta test this Micro Focus enhancement when avaiable.
This option would be fantastic. We are struggling with a clean way to deploy printers to student chromebooks. Brian H.
I would love to be able to deploy and even restrict which iPrint printers are available to the ChromeOS. Steve D.
I am going to be changing our Chromebook printing method from Google Cloud Print Services to the Micro Focus iPrint Extension. Unfortunately this is going to be disruptive because every user is going to have to install their own printers. Our users have gotten very used to us pushing printers with all the settings using ZCM so this will certainly "feel" like a step backwards instead of a leap forwards.
Is it possible for you to have this feature available in the next two days? ;-)
Thanks for the great software.