One platform for scanning, printing and copying management.
uniFLOW software is a comprehensive solution from Canon delivering rich set of functionality in the areas of secure printing, document output accounting, mobile printing, rules based routing, print...
One platform for scanning, printing and copying management.
uniFLOW software is a comprehensive solution from Canon delivering rich set of functionality in the areas of secure printing, document output accounting, mobile printing, rules based routing, print analysis and device management. With its modular design and emphasis on security, uniFLOW is particularly attractive to IT managers who value its ease of integration and strong level of control within networked environments. uniFLOW has evolved into an offering that has transformed the traditional server based print and scan environment into a highly flexible system that can be on premise, in the cloud, or a blended hybrid of uniFLOW and uniFLOW Online as a subscription! A simple and flexible approach to providing secure print and document workflows, uniFLOW One helps businesses bridge the digital gap to the future.
Item Code: uniFLOW
uniFLOW Key Features.
uniFLOW is truly a modular and scalable solution. The core server is available in four editions making it suitable for an organization of any size.
uniFLOW
Accounting & Reporting.
Finance Director's expectations: With uniFLOW, Finance Directors can chargeback users, departments, groups, or cost centers for the costs of printing, track cost savings and the environmental impact of a printer or copier fleet, easily generate reports to assist in financial planning, and manage printer, copier, and consumable payments to the hardware supplier.
Track all output costs: uniFLOW uses detailed charging profiles to allow differing costs for different printers, users, groups, or cost centers. uniFLOW calculates prices for printing, copying, faxing, scanning, and all print room jobs.
Price profiles, budgets, and multi-level cost centres: Price profiles can be created in uniFLOW to account for different types of charges, such as color and black/white printing, page sizes and paper trays, single-sided and double-sided printing, and finishing options.sers, groups, and cost centers can be given budgets to stop or restrict printing - for example, color printing is stopped if funds run out. Budgets can also be automatically updated or updated via a user payment. Multi-level cost centers can be used to allow for easy usage chargeback. Also, users can be automatically prompted every time they print a job or use the MFP to make a copy.
Secure Printing.
Universal Driver: The uniFLOW Universal Driver can help fix the often, too common "incompatible driver" problem. The uniFLOW Universal Driver works by ensuring that the printer specific codes are only added to the print job once the final printer type is known, resulting in a correct printout every time.
Device Authentication: Requiring authentication at a device can help prevent unauthorized printing and copying, faxing and scanning to email, and confidential documents lying on the printer tray. Authentication at the device also unleashes an imageRUNNER ADVANCE feature set which includes "Scan to My Folder", "Scan to Myself" (email), "Quick Menu" personalization, and "Key Chain" login.
Secure Printing: The uniFLOW version of follow me printing, My Print Anywhere, offers users a convenient, productive, and secure way to print. When a user prints, his or her job is stored on the uniFLOW server until that user authenticates at ANY device on the network and releases his or her job.
Secure Mobile Printing.
Secure Mobile Submission: uniFLOW allows any mobile user to submit a print job, as long as that user's mobile device has emailing capabilities. Users can also submit jobs via web browser, or printing directly from an application using an internet enabled driver.
Secure Mobile Release: Once a print job is submitted, regardless of whether it's from a desktop PC or a mobile device, the user will fall into the uniFLOW My Print Anywhere (follow me printing) workflow, where the user will walk to the most convenient device, and release their print job after authenticating themselves.
Multiple Identities & Guest Printing: Users tend to have multiple identities in today's mobile age, and uniFLOW supports that by allowing users to register each of their identities, such as email addresses or phone numbers, so that the uniFLOW system will recognize them, and allow them to print. uniFLOW Secure Mobile Printing also provides the option for guest printing. Guest printing can be customized to allow visitors (outside the network) to submit print jobs, but with preset company restrictions.
Native Application: There is also a uniFLOW native app for Apple iOS devices and Android devices. This app enables the mobile device to identify a printer, for example by a QR code, select a print job from the user's personal print queue, make necessary print settings, and release their job.
Google Cloud Print: uniFLOW also supports Google Cloud Print. So, users of Google Chroomebooks, and companies that primarily use Google Cloud Print for all their printing needs, can print in a secure manner with the option of uniFLOW tracking all prints.
Job Routing.
Automatic Job Re-routing: uniFLOW has the ability to route print jobs to specific printers or locations based on customizable criteria, such as routing print jobs to the most cost effective device, or routing print jobs to alternative devices if one is not available - this can be done automatically as determined by an IT Administrator, or a user can be notified about the cost of his or her print job and have the option to reroute the job themselves.
Automatic Prompting: As stated above, a user can be notified by uniFLOW if that user would be better served to re-route his or her print job to a more cost effective device. uniFLOW also has an advanced authorization workflow built into it that allows approval for print jobs when certain criteria are met. For example, any print job less than 100 pages would not require any authorization, however if the print job exceeds 100 pages, authorization would be needed by a manager.
Scanning
With uniFLOW, the need for an additional scanning system is redundant. Also, by implementing uniFLOW Scanning, the IT burden is reduced because on a single platform for printing and scanning, there is no need to manage users, roles, cost centers, and etc. in two different systems.
Integration: Many MFPs already offer basic scanning functionality, such as "Scan to email" and "Scan to folder," however uniFLOW Scanning can offer an enhancement to the basic scanning functionality by providing ways for Business Process Optimization, which would require functionality, such as individual follow me scanning workflows, automatic detection of scanned document types, automatic extraction of key data, online database validations, and integration with back-office systems.
Stronger Reporting Capabilities
Enhancements: Much faster report generation through SQL optimization, Optimized XLS/CSV Export, Direct Database Integration, Updated “look and feel” of all uniFLOW reports, Printing Intelligence Reports now included as standard reports
Improved Resilience
Automatic MEAP device failover, Redundant spool file storage, Intelligent print job distribution
New Look and Feel for uniFLOW Client
User help pages:
Help pages for the user are available with one click only in the user interface
Display of toast messages:
Direct feedback for the user if his actions have been successful
Self-management of user identities:
enabling users to adapt their own identities: PIN code & TIC code, pre-defined identity conditions can be set, sent email notifications of changes
uniFLOW Specifications
Learn more about uniFLOW specifications.
uniFLOW
System Requirements
| Supported Operating Systems | Windows Server® 2003/2008/2008R2/2012/2012R2/2016, Windows® 7 Professional/Enterprise/Ultimate*, Windows® 8 Professional/Enterprise*, Windows® 8.1 Professional/Enterprise*, Windows® 10 Pro/Enterprise* |
| * | Simultaneous connections limit: Windows client operating systems are limited to a max of ten simultaneous client connections |
| Supported Databases | SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition is included by default in the delivery (max storage 10 GB). Other supported databases are: Microsoft SQL Server® 2005 (Enterprise, Standard, Workgroup, Express), Microsoft SQL Server® 2008 (Datacenter, Enterprise, Standard, Workgroup, Express), Microsoft SQL Server® 2008 R2 (Datacenter, Enterprise, Standard, Workgroup, Express), Microsoft SQL Server® 2012 (Business Intelligence, Enterprise, Standard, Express), Microsoft SQL Server® 2014 (Business Intelligence, Enterprise, Standard, Express), Microsoft SQL Server® 2016 (Enterprise, Standard, Express). |
| Supported LDAP Servers | The following LDAP servers have been tested in conjunction with uniFLOW and are recommended: Microsoft Active Directory® (LDAP)/ Microsoft Active Directory® (LDAP over SSL), Novell NDS® |
| Minimum Hardware Requirements | The following hardware requirements must at least be met for the uniFLOW server and the RPS: Dual-Core CPU with 3 GHz, 4 GB RAM and 500 GB hard disk drive. |
| Supported Printer Languages | The following printer languages are analyzable by uniFLOW: Canon UFR I/II, Canon Cargo, PostScript (PS3), PCL 3/5/5e/5c/6/XL, HP-GL/GL2, HP-RTL, ESC/P2, KPDL, QPDL, PJL, Canon CPCA |
Office Printing Functionality
| Device Authentication | Multiple authentication options such as PIN code, username/password, job code, anonymous login, card login (MiCard Multi/HID/HITAG, MiCard PLUS/PLUS-2, MiCard Magnetic Reader)**, Card registration on device via TIC or username/password authentication, Device function restriction based on user login. |
| ** | Availability depending on vendor and device, please refer to the respective technical data sheets. |
| Secure Print Job Submission/Release | Submit jobs via email, web browser, native uniFLOW app, Apple AirPrint® or Google Cloud Print™. Jobs remain secure in the user’s personal secure print queue until they are released. Print jobs follow the user from device to device. Release to any printer: secure printing works with any networked printer either via embedded applet, the uniFLOW Release Station or on devices connected via microMIND. Automatically release all jobs after authentication or select/delete jobs individually on the device. Change finishing options directly at the device (Canon imageRUNNER ADVANCE only). |
| uniFLOW Universal Driver | Print using one single driver for all devices, ensure correct output also in mixed fleet environments. Printer-specific commands and settings will only be made once the output device is known. The uniFLOW Universal Driver can encrypt and compress the print job (activated by default). Restrict the use of Universal Driver features for different users or groups by assigning specific ACLs Available for PostScript, PCL5, PCL/XL and Mac® (PS). Both the uniFLOW Universal PCLXL Driver v5.3.0 and the uniFLOW Universal PS Driver v5.3.0 are verified to be compatible with Citrix XenApp versions 7.5 (64-bit) and 6.5 (64-bit). When configured for IPP output, the uniFLOW Universal Driver will not write to the printer, but will write the retrieved spool file to one of the retrieved IPP service endpoints. Use the uniFLOW Universal Driver to map the paper tray to the respective media type; media types are available as "paper source" within the "print dialogue" of external applications such as Microsoft Word. |
| Encryption and Compression | Encryption of print jobs in transit using AES-256 respectively RSA encryption. Compression of print jobs using zlib. |
| Cost Tracking and Accounting | Allocate costs to specific cost centers, customer matter or project. Two cost center configuration types: single level cost centers and multi-level cost centers. Assign certain price profiles to individual users, groups, cost centers or devices. Activate a main price profile and a maximum of three alternative price profiles per device. Export/import price profiles in CSV format and save existing price profiles as templates. Track and store all print, scan, fax and copy related data in a database together with all relevant information on users, departments or multi-level cost centers. Scheduled creation of over 60 reports; automatic creation of cost savings reports. Add own custom reports by using the standard Crystal Reports program. Export data via XML or CSV, for integration with back office accounting systems; access data directly from the SQL Server® via SQL View. |
| Budgeting | Configure budgets for users, groups and cost centers. If multiple budgets are configured, uniFLOW will attempt to charge a job in the following order: charge from cost center, group, user; budgeting of multi-level cost centers always on the lowest defined cost center level. Multiple charging options (e.g. track internal and external costs, apply discounts to certain customers) Budgets can be monitored, or even enforced, meaning that copy and printing activity is blocked when the user, group or cost center has no budget funds left. Manually charge or deposit a specified budget amount for specific users, groups or cost centers. |
| Rules & Routing | Route print jobs based on specified conditions (e.g. total number of pages, number of copies, color/B&W job, status of printer). Intelligent re-routing of print jobs to the most cost effective device. Routing of print jobs to alternative printers in the event of unavailability (failover). Notify users via email, web pop-up or Windows Messenger Service. Interactive rule based routing: prompt a user to route print jobs from one printer to another. |
| Remote Print Server (RPS) | Monitor and analyze printing and copying of remote locations and manage all costs centrally. Accounting of print jobs on an external print server; forward accounting data to the main uniFLOW Server. Secure printing, copy control and mobile print functionality. Connect to multiple Scan Processing Servers or install a Scan Processing Server on the RPS. Built-in web server for simple user feedback as for instance cost center selection. Supported on Microsoft Windows Server® operating systems, includes an SQLite database. In order to support larger installations the RPS software also offers LDAP integration. |
Document Scanning Functionality
| Document Capture | Auto-start the scan process. Upload individual workflow images. Select color mode, DPI settings, image mode, simplex/ duplex, original type, brightness and file format and compression at the device. Allow OCR selection at the device. Set default DPI, color mode, image mode and duplex mode. |
| Image Processing | Deskewing/ Despeckling, Line/ dark border/ dither removal, Orientation detection, Zone OCR, Barcode/ blank page recognition, PDF/A support, Conversion to Microsoft Word/ Excel®, Hyper-compressed PDF/ XPS, Bi-directional database validation, Automated forms processing. |
| Document Distribution | Standard destinations: Email, folder, FTP, iW Desktop, Microsoft Exchange, Print Room and WebDAV. Cloud-based destinations: Box, Dropbox, Evernote®, Google Drive™, LEAP Cloud, Microsoft OneDrive®/ Microsoft OneDrive® for Business, Microsoft SharePoint® Online, Therefore™ Online DMS/ ECM-systems: AFAS, Alfresco, DMSforLegal, EMC Documentum, FileNet®, HP Records Manager, Hyland OnBase®, iManage Work, LEAP, Lexis Affinity™, Microsoft SharePoint®, OpenText Content Server, RightFax, Therefore™ |
Mobile Printing Functionality
| Job Submission/Mobile Release | Job submission via email/ native uniFLOW app available for iOS®, Android™ and Windows Phone®, Job submission via certified Apple AirPrint®, Mobile release via native uniFLOW app, Mobile submission/ release for guests via job code, Print both, email body text and attachments, Support for multiple email addresses, Full accounting and reporting of all mobile print jobs, QR code displayed on the device screen foe easy setup of available printers, Print from Google Cloud Print™. |
Additional uniFLOW Functionality/Modules/Licenses
| Desktop Accounting | Monitor and account print jobs that are processed on a locally connected printer (e.g. via USB), Use a RPS as Desktop Accounting Client for up to 5 users (in case multiple users are sharing one desktop printer), WAN (Wide Area Network) access: instruct the uniFLOW Client to locally spool print jobs on the client and transmit it to the server upon request only |
| External Budget Connector | Connect uniFLOW to an external budgeting system, Available connections: external budget systems like CBORD, Blackboard, CardSmith, and Polyright MultiSpAK, Communication between uniFLOW and external budgeting systems via standard communication protocols (such as HTTP and XML). |
| Job Conversion Instance (JCI) | Convert PostScript jobs to PCL for use with the uniFLOW Universal Driver, Analyze the page level color of PostScript print jobs for accurate cost calculation, Convert PDF jobs to PostScript, Generate a PDF preview, Create a thumbnail for PostScript print jobs of the 1st page of the print job. |
| File Format Conversion | Convert native office documents into printable formats, File Format Conversion for more than 200 different file types, Conversion into PCL/XL, PDF, HTML, RTF, DOC, GIF, ODT (to PDL via printer). |
| PCL Job Conversion | Convert PCL/XL jobs to PDF e.g. if – due to aspects of size or costs – a print job is re-routed from an office printer to a print room. |
An Award Winning Solution.
Canon's proprietary uniFLOW device management solution has been recognized by leading industry analysts as an outstanding output management solution.