Output Devices

Overview of Output Devices in MarketDirect StoreFront

An output device is any peripheral device that produces a customer’s job, such as a printer, plotter, or copier. Output Devices are managed through the “Print Shops” page because output devices are linked to specific Print Shops.

To set up output devices in MarketDirect StoreFront, add all of the output devices necessary to complete any jobs that the Print Shop produces. When setting up an output device, you will need to specify a file directory path accessible from the computer where RPC (Remote Print Center)/Distributed Services is running. The RPC will create a folder for storing copies of files associated with jobs. If an output device, such as the MicroPress or Fiery device, is set to monitor the folder, it will pick jobs up from the folder.

Note: For more information on setting up your site to support MicroPress and Fiery devices, see Output Device Support.

Note: For information on setting up a connector (EFI Fiery, Fiery XF, or JDF Connector) to use with MarketDirect StoreFront, see Connectors.

To access output device information

1.        On the Print Shop page, click the name of the Print Shop whose output device you want to manage.

2.        Scroll down to the Default Output Device field, select a device from the pull-down list or click Manage Output Devices.
 

3.        The Status column will return information about the device status: Error, Online, Offline, Warning (the key to the status icons is below the table (1)).

Note: The following section will explain how to add, edit, and delete output devices. Additionally, it will list the steps for assigning an output device as a Print Shop so that you can send jobs to it from another Print Shop.

To add or edit an output device

Note: Either the EFI Distributed service or RPC must be running in order to configure output devices.

Note: EFI Fiery and Balance output devices: Must be configured for use in the system in the Fiery and Balance software (e.g., to add a Fiery output device, you should map to your site URL from the Fiery Controller setup application). For more information on setting up EFI Fiery support, see To install Fiery support.

Note: MicroPress devices: For more information on setting up EFI MicroPress support in MarketDirect StoreFront, see To install MicroPress support.

1.        On the Print Shop page, scroll down to the Default Output Device field and click Manage Output Devices to open the Print Shop Outputs page.  

2.        Click Create New (to create folder-based output devices).

Note: To create a JDF-based output device (e.g., Fiery or Fiery XF), click Manage Device Connectors (instead of Create New) and follow the steps in the topic Connectors.

3.        On the Device Properties page, from the Device Type pull-down list, select the type of device (i.e., Print Shop, EFI MicroPress, CD-ROM Device, EDOX Document Server, EFI OneFlow, Folder).  

Note: The Folder option lets you specify a network folder/file system as an output option and use it in “hot folder” workflows, which means, for instance, that if the EFI MicroPress is set to monitor the “hot folder” specified it will automatically pick up jobs from the folder.

The Print Shop option lets you specify a Print Shop as an output device. This enables you to route jobs to another Print Shop for production. This capability allows your business to process orders efficiently and continue operations if one Print Shop cannot function due to power outage, equipment failure, etc. Specifying one or more Print Shops as output devices will make them available for selection on the Operator View page. This will enable operators to assign a job that is routed to one Print Shop to be printed at a different Print Shop. This allows load balancing between Print Shops or moving a job to another Print Shop that has the capabilities required to produce the job. You will be prompted to choose a destination Print Shop from the Choose Destination Print Shop.

4.        In the Display Name field, type a descriptive name for the output device.

5.        In the Output Ticket XML field, select which type of job ticket to generate for the output device:

a.        MarketDirect StoreFront (default ticket for all non-JDF output devices, including MicroPress)

b.        JDF (for folder-based output devices such as CD-Rom and Folder; this option defaults to “process” ticket and NT Shared path URL)

         MIME Package:

      mjm: the content file will contain JDF instructions and the JMF message.

      mjd: the content file will contain JDF instructions.

Note: Consult with your output device vendor to determine which method should be used with their device.

         Ticket Type:

Note: Consult the chart in section Notes on JMF JDF Structure for Job Submission for guidance on when to use process and intent for various output devices.

      Process (default): Specifies actual information defining how the job is to be produced. Use for Fiery outputs; contains Fiery-specific instructions.

      Intent: Preserves print buyer’s intent for the file (buyer-entered web-form data suggests, for example, that she intends to receive a 5,000 copies of a 100-page spiral bound book on 8.5x11 white paper, with a glossy 100lb. four-color cover, full color, etc.). Use for non-Fiery JDF outputs.

Note: MarketDirect StoreFront-generated intent JDF are expected to be used by advanced users who are proficient with JDF production workflows.

Note: Process and Intent are the two main types of instructions gathered into a JDF job ticket.

         FileSpec URL: URL of the JDF content file. Specifies how the job ticket gets delivered.

      MIMEEncoded: Content file will be MIME encoded along with JMF and JDF and sent through the connector to the output device.

      HTTP: JMF message will have a link to the JDF file as a shared path URL and the JDF file will have a link to the content file as a shared path/HTTP/HTTPS URL.

      NTShared (Network Shared): Job ticket XML is embedded in the content file sent through the connector to the output device.

6.        In the Device Directory field, type a valid directory path. It is recommended that you create this file directory as a subfolder in the installation folder for the system.

         An example of a valid path is C:/[web site abbreviation]/files/outputs/default.

         This directory is used to store copies of files.

Note: If a device such as MicroPress monitors this file directory, the device will pick up the job/file from the specified directory, “read” the job ticket, and process the file appropriately.

7.        Click Save to save your changes.

8.        Click Back to return to the Print Shop Outputs page.

9.        Select the device from the Default Device Output list if it is to be the default output device for the Print Shop.

Note: If the Print Shop should not have a default device assigned, make sure that Unassigned is selected in the Default Device Output list.

         The default output device is automatically assigned to produce all jobs for the Print Shop it is associated with unless the operator manually assigns another device on the Operator View page when producing the job.

         If Unassigned is selected, no device is automatically assigned to complete jobs and, in Operator View, all jobs for this Print Shop will appear as Unassigned. The operator will then need to assign the appropriate output device manually for each job.

To edit or delete an output device

1.        Go to Administration > Print Shops.

2.        In the Default Output Device field, select the device you want to edit or delete.

3.        Click Manage Output Devices to open the Print Shop Outputs page.  

a.        Click the Edit icon to edit the settings for the output device and follow the steps in the section To add or edit an output device above beginning at step 4.

b.        Click the Delete icon to delete the output device.

Note: If you delete an output device that is assigned to a job, the Output Device on the Operator View page will change to “Unassigned.”

4.        Click Back to return to the Print Shop page.

See Also

         To add a connector: EFI Fiery,  Fiery XF, or JDF Connector

         Notes on JMF, JDF Structure for Job Submission

         To update your system with information on available Fiery devices

         Output Device Support

         Management

         Remote Print Center