 Canon's NetSpot Suite is a group of software utilities designed to ease the administrative burdens associated with installing, monitoring, and managing Canon and 3rd party (monitoring only) print devices on corporate enterprise networks. Innovative while easy to use, the NetSpot Suite takes from the direct input of systems direct input of systems administrators, IT professionals, and end-users. Through these efforts, Canon has created a set of device management tools that drive increased capabilities for administrative personnel and end-users alike of any organization.
NetSpot Suite's comprehensive set of utilities includes: NetSpot Accountant, NetSpot Console, NetSpot Device Installer, NetSpot Job Monitor and NetSpot Resource Downloader. These utilites, along with integration to Remote UI and Plug-ins, link Canon's systems to today's most popular enterprise network management applications.
NetSpot Console is a web-based installation and management utility capable of installing and managing Canon networked systems on most customer networks. Through NetSpot Console, network administrators are provided a convenient, platform-independent utility to install and manage Canon devices from anywhere within the enterprise. In addition to basic installation support, NetSpot Console also delivers administrator alerts, notifying administrators of device status conditions such as low toner, paper jams, and others. For added convenience, NetSpot Console is also capable of monitoring third-party printers complying with the standard Printer MIB, thereby consolidating network device management via one utility. Using the Map View, administrators can create logical representations of their actual printing enviornments.
The latest addition to the Suite, NetSpot Device Installer provides remote device setup and installation capabilities for administrators. Versions of this stand alone application are available for most platforms including the Windows, UNIX, and Mac OSX operating systems. The software allows for the remote setup of network protocols, device information including location name and administrator, as well as viewing device status. Navigation is done through an easy to use graphical user interface and greatly simplifies network configurations. When used in conjunction with NetSpot Console, total management functionality is provided, from initial setup to proactive management of the devices on the network.
To track the progress and manage print jobs, Canon supplies NetSpot Job Monitor. Using this utility, network administrators and end-users can track the progress of jobs sent for printing. NetSpot Job Monitor runs as an automated task in the Windows System Tray, and can be configured to report job conditions based on administrator or end-user preferences. Significant to NetSpot Job Monitor is its ability to deliver end-of-job notification to end-users, ensuring that they are always informed of the completion of submitted work.
Canon's Remote UI (User Interface) is a browser-based utility designed for administrators and end-users alike. Using this utility, administrators can effectively manage individual devices, check device status, manage print jobs, manage system mailboxes, as well as populate system address books remotely. End-users can also take advantage of the functions mentioned above, with the exceptions being modification of system settings when it is restricted by administrators. These particular functions require appropriate authorization. Canon's Remote UI is an effective tool for monitoring and managing activities at a specific device, and in combination with other NetSpot Suite utilities, gives any type of user more control of document workflow.
Another addition to the NetSpot suite of device management tools, NetSpot Resource Downloader leverages the network capabilities of Canon multi-function devices by providing the user the ability to remotely upload print resources such as fonts, macros, and profiles from the desktop. Running as a stand alone application, Resource Downloader ensures correct document output by providing administrators a convenient method of installing print resources.
In addition to the NetSpot utilities mentioned above, Canon also supplies NetSpot Plug-ins for some of the most popular Enterprise Management applications in use today. Canon's NetSpot Plug-ins enable the use of device management functionality offered by NetSpot Console within the Enterprise application. NetSpot Plug-ins are available for Microsoft Management Console, CA Unicente® (v 2.2 and 2.3), HP OpenView®, and Tivoli® NetView®.
In addition to Canon's NetSpot Plug-ins, Canon has worked directly with some of these organizations or to create plug-ins that are seamlessly integrated into the Enterprise or Device Management application. These include, BMC PATROL®, CA Unicenter NSM, and HP Web Jetadmin®. Through these plug-ins, Canon permits easy management of Canon networked devices from directly within the Enterprise Management System Console, or the Device Management Console as in the case of Web Jetadmin.
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