PaperCut ChargeBack isa client-server application. Its core operation is described as follows:
The PaperCut ChargeBack Server consists of a Windows Service runs on each print server. It monitors and interceptsincoming print jobs, counting the number of pages in each print job. It then performs the following task s:
Wait to be notified of the account for the print job (depending on c onfiguration s ettings)
Debits the cost of the print job from the appropriate user's credit
Incrementsthe page and cost c ounters for the appropriate printer
Incrementsthe page and cost c ounters for the appropriate account (or job number)
Stores the print job information in its internal database
The PaperCut ChargeBack Client that runs on users' workstations. It runs in the background during users' sessions, listening for print jobs that the user may print. When a document is printed to a printer that requires acc ount information, it pops up a window, prompting the user to enter an account. The PaperCut ChargeBack Client runs automatically when users log on.
Components
PaperCut ChargeBack consists of the following components :
Server components:
The Windows Service which operates as described above.
An Administration Console that runs on each print server.This allows the administration of PaperCut, as explained in Chapters 2 to 4.
An Archive facility, which is an application that is scheduled to run daily. It archives the print job logs from the working-database to archives for long-term storage and reporting capability.
An Automatic account import program, which enables sys tem administrators to schedule the bulkimporting of accounts periodically. This means that when new job numbers or clients are created, they c an be imported into PaperCut ChargeBack without the s ys tem adminis trator manually entering in their details.
Client components:
The PaperCut ChargeBack Client which operates as described above.
The User Inquiry Tool, which is an application that shows users' c redit
The Report Generator, a tool which collates account and job log information from all the print servers on the network into a single database which can be us ed for reporting purposes.
