Updating the Page Counter - Why?

Question:

What happens during a Pharos Page Counter (Pcounter.exe, and associated files) update, and why is it needed?

Information:

Pharos Uniprint Print and Blueprint count pages within a print job based on its page-level Attributes (color, duplex, collate, staple, paper size, etc.).

1. The Page Counter interprets the jobs created by the user with the driver they have installed for the device.  It parses that job, and is responsible for not only counting the number of pages in the job, but also its attributes, i.e. color, duplex, collate, staple, paper size, etc.

2. Pharos updates the Page Counter on an as-needed basis. This occurs when we find discrepencies between what is expected to be a page count and what the Page Counter actually detects. This normally happens when drivers get updated, new drivers are released, or if a manufacturer makes changes to it's driver architecture.

3. The Page Counter is instantiated every time the Pharos software receives an inbound print job.  If a replacement of the Page Counter is performed, the only thing it will effect is the next job that comes in.  No service is dependent upon it, and it will not bring down printing if it's replaced by the newest Page Counter. In other words, there is low risk associated with an in-place upgrade during hours of operation.

4. The Page Counter should be upgraded as needed to insure that print jobs get counted and costed correctly with the driver rendering the print job. We always recommend a backup of the existing files before replacing them with the new ones. This provides a positive back-out procedure/experience if needed.

5. The Page Counter update should be a normal part of Pharos software maintenance to ensure continued functionality.

Download: The latest Page Counter is always available here.

Instructions: How to update the Pharos Page Counter.