Managing Devices

Loftware Enterprise SP supports multiple printing options, including native support for specific device models, device family drivers, devices directly connected to the Loftware Application Server, and remote devices via Loftware Remote Print. You can also create a generic driver that outputs an XML file for use with unsupported devices or devices with a proprietary printer language. In addition, you can configure Loftware Enterprise SP to pass a file directly to a target device without the need to associate the file with a label template.

To provide broad device language support, Loftware Enterprise SP uses family drivers. Each family driver includes the options needed to support many different devices from the same manufacturer. You can use Loftware Loftware Enterprise SP native drivers, Loftware NiceLabel native drivers, and Windows printer drivers.

If you select a specific model of device, only the options relevant to that model are displayed. This approach can help ensure that you do not select options not supported by the device.

If you select Family Driver for the Family, you can view all options for all devices in the family. However, some options may not be supported by some devices. By using a family driver, you can print a label on multiple models of devices as long as you ensure that the devices support the same resolution.

Note: Device groups can contain only one device.

Note: Device names are case sensitive.

Note: Loftware Enterprise SP encodes print data using UTF-8. Check your device firmware to ensure that it supports UTF-8. Older devices may not support this encoding. The effect of printing labels to unsupported devices is that characters above ASCII 127 may not be handled correctly on printed labels.

Note: In a multi-site deploymentClosed A configuration of a Loftware environment that includes Loftware instances located at different sites within the same WAN. In a multi-site deployment, each Loftware instance acts as either a headquarters or a facility. of Loftware Enterprise SP, device connections can be created only at headquarters. They can be replicated to facilities by using synchronization, and they can be changed at facilities if allowed by the configuration. Remote Sites can be created at both headquarters and facilities to enable the use of a Loftware NiceLabel driver. For more information, see Using a Loftware NiceLabel Driver at a Facility.

Connection Types

Loftware Enterprise SP supports the following connection types.

  • TCP/IP, including standard TCP/IP protocol and remote spooler (LPR) connection via wired or wireless connection
  • TCP-based, using TCP to connect to devices, but providing capabilities specifically designed to support Codenet, Dynamark 3, or QCPL
  • File, for use with a print-to-PDF device connection, print-to-image device connection, or to create an XML file
  • Email, for use with a print-to-PDF device connection or a print-to-image device connection
  • Spooler, for use with a server device connection
  • USB, for use with a USB port connection
  • LPA (Loftware Print Agent), for use with a Loftware NiceLabel driver

Getting Started