Hardware print servers add extra cost and maintenance, not to mention they are hard to upgrade in comparison to a software print server. Please check out just some of the reasons a software print server is more economical, offers more features, and provides more upgrade ability than any other hardware print server driver.

Simply put, would you rather purchase and have a new hardware print server shipped to you, then install and configure it? Or, would you like to download and install a software upgrade to your print server software?

Advantages of Software over Hardware Print Servers

Receive multiple jobs simultaneously

RPM Print Server software will receive multiple jobs simultaneously without losing jobs. Hardware print servers can receive and print only one at a time.

Multiple print queues

RPM can have multiple print queues each going to a different printer or configured differently for the same printer. Hardware print servers have one queue and can only print to one printer (if a single-port print server). Multiple port print servers can still only receive a single job at a time.

More than just “pass-through” printing

RPM has text and filter queues. Hardware print servers are limited to pass-through only. No saving to disk and no reformatting the data for the printer.

Restrict user access

RPM can restrict access to users based on their host name or IP address. Print servers cannot.

Low-cost upgrades, no new hardware required

When issues arise, print servers are not easily upgraded. RPM is upgraded often.

Print to ANY Windows-based printer

Hardware print servers are limited in the “kind” of printer they can print to. For instance, if your hardware print server supports parallel printers, then you buy a new printer and it supports only USB, you must buy a new (typically more expensive) print server that supports the new technology. RPM does not care how the printer is attached, only whether Windows can print to it.

RPM - flexible and scalable

You have to buy a new hardware print server for every printer you want connected to the network. RPM can print to the printers you have today, and new ones that you will buy in the future.