Chromatography Forum

Hi all,
I am just wondering if anyone is using the FinePrint software to reduce printing cost. It is a free download at
http://www.fineprint.com (cost for a license is $50).
We currently use a hybrid data system (paper + electronic), and I have been trying to cut down the paper used, until I stumbled onto this new tool.
I plan to discuss with my QA people about using the software. I would like to know if there is any problem if we use it in cGMP/GLP environments.
Disclaimer: I don't work for the seller of the software.

Alfred

Hi all,
I am just wondering if anyone is using the FinePrint software to reduce printing cost.
We currently use a hybrid data system (paper + electronic), and I have been trying to cut down the paper used, until I stumbled onto this new tool.
I plan to discuss with my QA people about using the software. I would like to know if there is any problem if we use it in cGMP/GLP environments.
Alfred

FinePrint is not new at all. The earliest version I remember was for Windows 3.1.
FinePrint acts as printer driver so there should be no problems in regulated environments.
As a matter of fact years ago original printer drivers were rather simple. Current printer drivers that come with new printers are much more sophisticated. They have embeded such functionality as printing several pages on one sheet of paper or booklet printing, water marking, duplex printing.
As a consequence FinePrint as an interface between user and printer may be ommited without loosing possibilities of multi page printing on single sheets of paper.

whb, FinePrint enthusiast

FinePrint is a good tool how to adapt printouts to your requirements. But rather than this I miss another tool. I have such idea. When user prints his results on printer, simuntaneously is created and stored PDF version of printed document without another actions.
Why I need this? As a step between paper and paperless laboratory I would like to archive all printed documents on FTP server. But printing and consecutive scanning to PDF seems to be counterproductive. I searched for this but Google keeps silence

Sadelik:

But printing and consecutive scanning to PDF seems to be counterproductive.

Why not do it the other way around? 1) First "print" as a PDF file to the repository, and 2) then print the PDF documnet in paper form from the PDF repository. That is simple, no scanning. Hope it helps.

Regards
Csaba

Why not do it the other way around? 1) First "print" as a PDF file to the repository, and 2) then print the PDF documnet in paper form from the PDF repository. That is simple, no scanning. Hope it helps.

Regards
Csaba

Yes, it is easier way but still require additional step into process. My idea is that whole procedure is hidden from operator's point of view.
Sorry for a such stupid idea.

Hi,
Depending on your application, it might be possible to write a macro within your application. Otherwise, it may be possible to do using VBscript, PowerShell or an external macro tool, depending on the applications. Long time ago I was using QuicKeys for this kind of tasks, it and many similar tools are still around. I don't know how good QuicKeys is today. I'm sure your problem can be solved.

Csaba:

Thank you for good ideas. I will search Internet for this possibility.

Regards

Alfred,

you also may want to think about a Linux machine with CUPS (printserver) package installed. It is free. You may configure a lot of printers, including a PDF printer, in CUPS. In my lab all the datasystems print to a single PDF printer (pdf is then created) and then CUPS sends the pdf to the remote printer of your choice, e.g. to a computer that has submitted this print job to the CUPS.

regards,

tim

Alfred,

you also may want to think about a Linux machine with CUPS (printserver) package installed. It is free. You may configure a lot of printers, including a PDF printer, in CUPS. In my lab all the datasystems print to a single PDF printer (pdf is then created) and then CUPS sends the pdf to the remote printer of your choice, e.g. to a computer that has submitted this print job to the CUPS.

regards,

tim

Thank you, Tim.

It seems that your solution is the best I ever read. Let's go Google...
Thank you once more again .

Regards,
Jan

Jackus,

there are a PDF suite called Aloaha, they use a kind of "autoprint" feature, that is able to hardcopy any PDF saved.

Take a look:

http://www.aloaha.com/support-en/aloaha-pdf-suite.php

regards,
Alexandre