Most IT departments have no idea how much they are paying for printing, and the lack of a sophisticated printer management strategy generates increased costs and decreases productivity. Industry analysts estimate that improving print management can lower printing expenses, and reduce total IT costs. HP's Total Print Management (TPM) can get you there.
HP printers are easier to connect via HP Web Jetadmin than are Ricoh printers using SmartNetMonitor.
Feature
HP Web Jetadmin
Ricoh SmartNetMonitor
Customer Benefit
Methods for discovering printers
11
2-3
More methods mean more flexibility to manage your network.
Reports
An inexpensive ($500) report-generation plug-in captures usage statistics by device.
Not available
When combined with discovery information, usage reporting gives you a complete picture of your printing and imaging environment.
Batch driver configuration
HP printers allow single-step driver configuration on all end-user devices.
Each Ricoh printer requires you to configure individual client drivers one at a time.
This saves time and reduces error.
Support for non-Windows printing
Each HP printer comes with configured model scripts for non-Windows printers specific to that individual printer.
Ricoh printers have a single generic non-Windows printer script for use with all printers.
Model scripts configured for each individual printer allow all clients to take advantage of all printer features instead of just those supported by the generic printer script.
Simple yet robust network printer management
HP's Web Jetadmin software offers more network management capabilities than Ricoh's SmartNetMonitor offering.
Feature
HP Web Jetadmin
Ricoh SmartNetMonitor
Customer Benefit
Advanced, proactive alerts
Set proactive alerts using HP Web Jetadmin or the device's embedded web server.
Limited
Route specific alerts to people and destinations as well as filter duplicate alerts and set early thresholds for long-lead consumables.
Modular architecture
Plug-ins include utilities for distributing pre-configured drivers and managing Flash, hard disc and RAM storage devices.
Not available
Extend HP Web Jetadmin as your network requires without recertifying or retesting your installation.
Enterprise integration
Easily integrate HP Web Jetadmin with enterprise management tools like Tivoli, OpenView, Toptools, and Unicenter.
Not available
Integrated systems are easier to use and maintain, and will save costs in the long run.
Tighter security
HP Web Jetadmin enables secure management via SSL and SNMPv3 that allows for encryption of user names and passwords.
Not available
Restrict access to key business systems and information.
Ricoh offers a plug-in allowing customers to manage their Ricoh devices via HP Web Jetadmin. However, compare the benefits of managing Ricoh printers with HP Web Jetadmin to the benefits of managing HP printers with HP Web Jetadmin.
Ricoh printers managed with HP Web Jetadmin
•
Access to status information including a graphical display of the Ricoh printer with status issues highlighted.
•
Limited diagnostic information.
•
The ability to configure the Ricoh network card.
HP printers managed with HP Web Jetadmin
•
Proactive alerts that let you know when there is a problem with the printer, set device wake-up times, and automate supplies reordering through the internet.
•
The ability to configure print paths and device settings, such as media types assigned to trays, finishing options and more.
•
The ability to deploy configured drivers.
•
The ability to manage device storage on hard-disk drives through an HP plug-in.
•
Advanced diagnostics.
•
Usage reporting through an HP plug-in.
•
A remote control panel.
Support for new & customized printing models
From wireless printing to reengineering workflow unique to your organization, HP technology enables new printing models.
Feature
HP
Ricoh
Customer Benefit
Wireless printing
HP offers state-of-the-art printing via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth� wireless technology.* And, you can manage your wireless print servers with HP Web Jetadmin.
Ricoh's wireless interface cannot be managed with SmartNetMonitor.
Support mobile professionals and manage your wireless printers using the same system you do for your wired printers.
Embedded virtual machine
HP's embedded virtual machines turn devices into active platforms that can run custom applets. For example, custom web pages can serve as menus for selecting pre-processed documents stored in your HP printers and MFPs.
Not available.
Write your own applets for a true customized printing solution that reengineers workflows to leverage the internet and your company intranets.
* Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used by Hewlett-Packard Company under license.
Printable version
