how to monitor printer usage

[lostinfrance]

hello how can i manage printer use when i am out of the office, one person in particular i suspect of using our printer for thier own out of work projects, my cartridge consumption has gone up to more than one a month before it was once a quarter and sometimes all the paper in the printer vanishes overnight, i thought that if somebody had broken in and stole the paper they would have taken the pc's as well. It sometimes means that the printer is out of service as the nearest shop that sells cartridges is over 20 kms away
thanks for all your advice

[MikeJ]

What kind of printer is it? Our laser printer can issue a report, with number of prints, etc. Do one of those each night, and maybe one just before you go away to see if it jumps up while you're out.

[OldWelshGuy]

Personally I would make it clear you know something is going on, but indirectly. I would say that you are a little concerned that there might be something wrong with the printer as toner useage has suddenly shot up. Also runa memo around that plain paper useage has gone up dramitcally for no reason, and remind everyone that printer paper is not to be used as scrap paper.

Those statements should be enough to scare off whoever is doing the dirty. The downside is it might get you on the wrong side of those in the right.

The other option is to double check, get your facts right, and then discipline whoever is at fault. You should be able to get information of print jobs from your system (depending on the setup)

[Adzooma]

Try, www karenware com/powertools/ptprnlog.asp

[lostinfrance]

when i asked the likely candidate "did they know what happened to the paper" all i got was a french shrug and then some huffing, my secretary had filled up the paper tray the night before

[Employment Law Clinic]

hello how can i manage printer use when i am out of the office, one person in particular i suspect of using our printer for thier own out of work projects, my cartridge consumption has gone up to more than one a month before it was once a quarter and sometimes all the paper in the printer vanishes overnight, i thought that if somebody had broken in and stole the paper they would have taken the pc's as well. It sometimes means that the printer is out of service as the nearest shop that sells cartridges is over 20 kms away
thanks for all your advice

You need to consider any covert surveillance (including IT surveillance) carefully, if your employment policies don't already allow for this - if they do, stick whatever software you find suitable on your computers, and then follow your disciplinary procedures.

Holding a suspicion is one thing, but qualifying a reasonable justification for this view can be another thing entirely.


Karl Limpert

[Atilla]

Have a look at http://www.papercut.com/index-ad.php?ad=51&grp=prnt-ctl&type=text&src=g
Google for similar products if the above doeesn't float your boat.
It's standard stuff.

[PhilipDixon]

Depending on the size of business. PrintLimit by netop is the best option.