---
type: concept
title: Print Management System
tags: ["infrastructure", "printing", "workflow", "campus-it"]
related: [papercut, virtual-printer, print-release-authentication, campus-it, guthabenerstattung]
created: 2026-06-30
updated: 2026-06-30
sources: ["output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_allgemein_druck_management_system.md", "output/rz_uni_greifswald_de_dienste_allgemein_druck_management_system_druckkostenguthab.md"]
---

# Print Management System

The **Print Management System** at the Universität Greifswald is a centralized infrastructure that manages network printing and copying services for the entire campus. It is designed to reduce waste, increase security, and simplify client configuration.

## Technical Components

### [[papercut]]
The system utilizes [[papercut]] to manage user accounts, track costs, and handle the authentication required for [[print-release-authentication]].

### [[virtual-printer]]
Instead of installing drivers for every physical printer on campus, users install a single virtual printer. This software-defined printer acts as a gateway, decoupling the submission of a print job from the physical device used for output by sending all jobs to a central queue.

### [[print-release-authentication]]
To prevent documents from sitting unattended on printer trays, the system requires authentication before physical printing begins. This is achieved via:
- **ID Card Readers**: Physical authentication at the device.
- **Web Interface**: Remote release via the PaperCut WebClient.

## Workflow
1. **Job Submission**: User $\rightarrow$ Virtual Printer $\rightarrow$ PaperCut Client (Authentication) $\rightarrow$ Central Queue.
2. **Job Release**: User $\rightarrow$ Physical Card Reader OR WebClient $\rightarrow$ Physical Printer.

## Operational Benefits
- **Flexibility**: Users can change print settings (e.g., switching from color to black and white) at the printer display immediately before the job is printed.
- **Cost Control**: The system allows the URZ to monitor and limit printing costs, which is specifically applied in environments like PC pools.
- **Platform Support**: The system is officially supported on 64-bit Windows 10, Ubuntu 18.04+, and macOS Yosemite+.

## Administrative Lifecycle
Beyond the technical operation of printing, the system includes administrative workflows for the user lifecycle:
- **Credit Management**: Users maintain a balance for printing costs.
- **Offboarding/Refunds**: Users can request a [[guthabenerstattung]] to recover unused funds, a process that requires a signed PDF application submitted to the [[universitatsrechenzentrum-urz]].