March 2024

These are the March 2024 release notes of NDD Orbix.

See a summary of all updates and click on the links to navigate each one.

March 20, 2024

DCA and Cloud Connector agent:

NEW FEATURES

• Searching for printers by broadcast

• Local storage of readings in case of loss of communication

• Implement the gateway for communication between the agent and the portal

• Computer location based on public IP

• Display the identification of the computer type

IMPROVEMENTS

• New types of alerts for thermal printers

• Change the inactivity time in agent monitoring

FIXES

• Ricoh M 320F with zero supply readings - Service: NDD Printer Monitor

APPROVALS

• Approved network printers

• Approved USB printers

Gateway Connector:

NEW FEATURES

• Implement the gateway for communication between the agent and the portal

NDD Orbix portal:

NEW FEATURES

• Official launch of thermal printer monitoring functionality

• Searching for printers by broadcast

• Display the identification of the computer type

• Add date and time of last update to Dashboard indicators

• Adding the Italian language to the NDD Orbix portal

• Implement a new default dashboard for monitoring USB thermal printers

• Edit an SNMP communication configuration for network printers

IMPROVEMENTS

• Improvements to the visual interface of the NDD Orbix portal

• New types of alerts for thermal printers

• Change the inactivity time in agent monitoring

• Computer location based on public IP

• Inclusion of the last update of the computer's location in the summary tab

• Change the position of the computer's BIOS version information

• New field in computer info

• Inclusion of the User column in the computer grid

• Include new filters in reports

• Reordering the SNMP v3 communication configuration fields

• New fields in the printer register

• Make it easier to link the site and department to the device

FIXES

• NDD - Print Queue service enabled, but the computer was not available to install the print queue

• Error when deleting all print queues

March 01, 2024

DCA and Cloud Connector agent:

FIXES

• Monitor times not respected - Services: NDD Printer Monitor and NDD Printer Monitor USB

• Failed to monitor Brother DCP-L5652DN - Service: NDD Printer Monitor

APPROVALS

• Approved network printers

• Approved USB printers

March 20, 2024

New features

Official launch of thermal printer monitoring functionality

After a successful period of testing, the thermal printer monitoring functionality is being officially launched!

During the BETA phase, we worked continuously to collect feedback from users and identify improvements. Based on this valuable input, we have made substantial adjustments to ensure that the functionality is more stable, reliable and ready to use.

We will continue working to further improve the functionality and expand its feature set!

Display the identification of the computer type

What is the new functionality? Display the type of computer in the device record, including categories such as notebook, desktop, tablet, among others.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? To provide a more enhanced and detailed view of the computers managed by the system, making it possible to quickly identify the specific format of each device and improving the efficiency of the park.

How does the new functionality work? Information on the type of computer will be collected by the DCA and Cloud Connector agent during reading. This information will be available in the following places in the system:

• in the computer grid (allowing computers to be searched or filtered by type)

• in the Properties indicator on the Summary tab of the computer's properties

• on the Info tab of the computer's properties

If the agent does not obtain data on the computer type when reading, the field will display a hyphen ("-").

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Add date and time of last update to Dashboard indicators

What is the new functionality? Each Dashboard indicator will display the date and time of the last data update.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? Instantly see when the indicators were last updated, optimizing data analysis.

How does the new functionality work? When you access the Dashboard menu, the date and time of the last update will be displayed below each indicator.

Adding the Italian language to the NDD Orbix portal

What is the new functionality? Making the NDD Orbix portal available in the Italian language.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? To make it possible to use the NDD Orbix portal in the Italian language, adapting the interface according to users' preferences.

How does the new functionality work? When logging in or once they have finished, users have the option of changing the display language to Italian.

Implement a new default dashboard for monitoring USB thermal printers

What is the new functionality? Implement a new default dashboard for monitoring USB thermal printers, called Default - Thermal Printers.

A new permission has been created to allow viewing, creating, duplicating or editing the new default dashboard and the new indicators that make it up: View thermal printer indicators - Monitoring.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? View and manage your operation's data, specifically with regard to monitoring the USB thermal printers in your fleet.

How does the new functionality work? The default USB thermal printer monitoring dashboard will contain the following indicators:

• Thermal Printers - Online and Offline

• Thermal Printers - Online and Offline by customer

When creating, duplicating or editing a dashboard, you can select these indicators for inclusion in the custom dashboard.

Remember to review the permissions of the users and permission groups that will have access to the new functionality in order to grant them.

Observations? Access the description of each indicator in Managing dashboards.

Edit an SNMP communication configuration for network printers

What is the new functionality? It allows you to edit an existing SNMP communication configuration for network printers.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? Enabling the user to change an existing SNMP communication configuration, without having to delete and add a new configuration according to the desired parameters.

How does the new functionality work? Access the Installations > Services menu, select the desired network printer service and open it. In the Settings > Communication tab, click on the Edit button, click on the 🖉 icon of the desired communication, edit the information and save.

Observations? When editing an SNMP communication, only the network printers covered by the new configuration will be searched.

Searching for printers by broadcast

What is the new functionality? Search for printers by broadcast.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? Allows the NDD Orbix portal to automatically find all available printers on the network, simplifying the printer monitoring process and facilitating ongoing maintenance.

How does the new functionality work? Access the Installations > Services menu, select the desired network printer service and open it. In the Settings > Printer search tab, you will be able to configure the search for printers by broadcast.

Enabling the setting will enable the option to manually add or bulk import IP addresses. When activated, NDD Orbix portal will perform an independent search to locate all the printers available on the network automatically. If IP addresses are added, the system will perform the search both independently and by the IPs entered.

The combination of both options will result in a more comprehensive search, identifying all printers found via broadcast and those associated with the IP addresses provided.

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Local storage of readings in case of loss of communication

What is the new functionality? If communication is lost between DCA and Cloud Connector agent and NDD Orbix portal, the readings obtained from meters and supplies from network and USB printers will be stored locally.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? Ensure the preservation of critical information even in situations of communication failure, allowing data from printer meters and supplies to be kept for up to 15 days after capture. This ensures continuity of operations and prevents data loss, even in unstable connectivity scenarios.

How does the new functionality work? If communication is lost between the agent and the portal, the printer readings will be stored locally.

Each reading will be retained for up to 15 days from the date of capture. If, at the end of this period, communication between the agent and the portal has not been re-established, the reading will be permanently deleted.

Once communication between the agent and the portal has been re-established, the stored readings for the last 15 days will be automatically recorded on the NDD Orbix portal.

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Implement the gateway for communication between the agent and the portal

What is the new functionality? Implement communication between the DCA and Cloud Connector agent and the NDD Orbix portal via gateway.

What is the benefit of the new functionality? You can define a computer/server within your structure to be the gateway. The Gateway Connector is an NDD resource capable of intermediating agent communication with the NDD Orbix portal.

How does the new functionality work? Install and run the Gateway Connector. Then install and run the DCA and Cloud Connector agent. In the additional settings of the DCA and Cloud Connector agent installation, enter the address (IP or hostname) of the computer/server where the Gateway Connector was installed.

See the prerequisites to check the ports that must be open.

Observations? The Gateway Connector is compatible with IPV4 and IPV6 internet protocols.

The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Improvements

Improvements to the visual interface of the NDD Orbix portal

What purpose? To provide users with a more pleasant browsing experience on the NDD Orbix portal, through a more modern and intuitive visual interface.

What was done? The interface was redesigned, from the layout down to the smallest detail. Every aspect has been carefully rethought to offer an exceptional user experience.

What will be affected? These changes will directly affect the way users interact with and navigate the NDD Orbix portal.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Change the inactivity time in agent monitoring

What purpose? To adjust the downtime to determine when a service should be considered Offline.

What was done? The downtime has been changed to 72 (seventy-two) hours.

What will be affected? The display of the service as Offline in the Installations > Services menu. When communication between the DCA and Cloud Connector agent and the NDD Orbix portal is lost for more than 72 (seventy-two) hours, the service will be considered Offline.

What is the impact on the environment? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Computer location based on public IP

What purpose? Enable geolocation of the computer based on the public IP.

What was done? Make it possible to locate the computer when there is no Wi-Fi connection, to make it easier to trace the device in different conditions.

What will be affected? The location of the computer.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Observations? If both functions are contracted (location by wi-fi and by public IP), priority will be given to locating the computer via the wi-fi connection. If there is no wi-fi connection, the location will be based on the device's public IP address.

The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Inclusion of the last update of the computer's location in the summary tab

What purpose? To make it easier to access information on the computer's last update. By opening the device's properties, users can now quickly obtain the date and time of the last update to the location, eliminating the need to navigate to the specific location tab.

What was done? Included the date and time of the computer's last update of the location in the properties summary tab.

What will be affected? The Location indicator on the computer's properties Summary tab.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Change the position of the computer's BIOS version information

What purpose? To improve the organization of information related to the computer's hardware.

What was done? The BIOS version field has been moved from the properties indicator to the hardware indicator.

What will be affected? The Properties and Hardware indicators on the Summary tab of the computer's properties.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

New field in computer info

What purpose? To identify the computers in the operation in a practical way.

What was done? A new field for computer alias has been added, allowing users to assign an identifiable name to devices.

What will be affected? The Info tab of the computer's properties.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Observations? The information regarding the computer's alias will be displayed in the grid of the Monitoring > Computers menu, positioned between the Name and IP address columns.

Inclusion of the User column in the computer grid

What purpose? To make it easier to quickly identify the users who are using the computers under management.

What was done? The User column has been added to the Monitoring > Computers menu grid, positioned after the Unit column. 

What will be affected? The grid in the Monitoring > Computers menu.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Observations? User information can be added/changed in the Info tab of the computer's properties.

Include new filters in reports

What purpose? To improve the presentation of data in the reports, allowing filtering by the client's site and/or department.

What was done? Included site and department filters in reports.

What will be affected? Filters will be included in the following predefined and customized reports:

• Meters (Row display)

• Meters (Column display)

• Meters production statement

• Exchanged supplies

• Supplies in use

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Observations? The sites and departments available for selection will be based on the filtered customer. So, if no customer is selected for filtering, it won't be possible to choose a specific site or department to filter the data.

Reordering the SNMP v3 communication configuration fields

What purpose? To reorder the SNMP v3 communication configuration fields to make them easier to fill in.

What was done? The order in which the fields are filled in has been reordered as follows:

• User

• Password

• Context

• Cryptography

• Password (for cryptography)

• Authentication Algorithm

What will be affected? Filling in the SNMP v3 communication configuration fields for network printers.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

New fields in the printer register

What purpose? To make it easier to manage the printer by adding new fields to its register.

What was done? New contact and printer location fields have been added:

• Contact:

  • Name

  • Email

  • Cell Phone

  • Phone

• Location: 

  • Address

These fields allow a detailed record of the contact responsible for the printer, as well as the current physical address.

What will be affected? The Info tab of the printer's properties.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Observations? These fields can be updated or queried via the Printers API.

• Update endpoint: 'PATCH /v1/printers/{printerId}'

• Search endpoint: 'GET /v1/printers'

Make it easier to link the site and department to the device

What purpose? To simplify the process of linking the site and department to the device.

What was done? Make it possible to link the site and department via the device properties.

What will be affected? The Info tab of the printer's properties.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

New types of alerts for thermal printers

What purpose? To implement new types of alerts to take preventive action in the operation.

What was done? Added new alerts for:

• Open printhead

• Cold printhead

• Invalid printhead

• Printhead too hot

• Printhead shutdown

• Thermistor fault

• Thermal printer offline

What will be affected? The creation of the alert rule.

What is the impact on the environment? There isn't one.

Observations? Remember to check that alert monitoring is enabled in the desired services so that the alerts created are generated.

For more information on the meaning of each alert, go to Issue alerts.

The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Fixes

NDD - Print Queue service enabled, but the computer was not available to install the print queue

How did the problem happen? When trying to add a computer for the print queue to be installed, some computers are not displayed, even if they have the NDD - Print Queue service installed.

Where was the problem? In the Print Queues > Print Queues menu, on the Installing a print queue tab.

What was done to fix it? We cleaned up the remaining data in the database and made a correction to our services so that if a similar case occurs, it won't cause this kind of problem.

Error when deleting all print queues

How did the problem happen? When selecting all print queues and clicking the 🗑 button, no queue was deleted and an unexpected error was displayed to the user.

Where was the problem? In the Print queues > Print queues menu.

What was done to fix it? We created a rule so that no error would occur if the deleted computer didn't have the print queues service.

Ricoh M 320F with zero supply readings - Service: NDD Printer Monitor

How did the problem happen? When monitoring the device, the supply readings routine added invalid values.

Where was the problem? When monitoring Ricoh M 320F devices.

What was done to fix it? Added a procedure to ignore invalid supplies.

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Approvals

Approved network printers

Approved models?

• HP

  • COLOR LASERJET MFP X58045

• Kyocera

  • ECOSYS PA3500cx

  • MFP TASKalfa MZ3200i

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Approved USB printers

Approved models?

• LEXMARK

  • CX735adse

  • MX432adwe

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.12, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

March 01, 2024

Fixes

Monitor times not respected - Services: NDD Printer Monitor and NDD Printer Monitor USB

How did the problem happen? When updating the routine interval values, the changes were not reflected in the services until they were restarted.

When did the problem happen? When the routine interval values were updated.

Where was the problem? In the agent's settings.

What was done to fix it? Whenever there is a change in the routine interval values, the service will validate and update itself to respect the new rules.

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.11, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Failed to monitor Brother DCP-L5652DN - Service: NDD Printer Monitor

How did the problem happen? When monitoring the Brother DCP-L5652DN device, an error occurred in the agent that made monitoring impossible.

When did the problem happen? At the start of the device monitoring process.

Where was the problem? In the agent's monitoring.

What was done to fix it? The errors have been corrected and the device can be monitored again.

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.11, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Approvals

Approved network printers

Approved models?

• BROTHER

  • DCP L5512DN

  • DCP-L5652DN

  • TD-4550DNWB

  • HL-L5212DN

• CANON

  • iPR V700-P400¬iPR V700

  • iPF825

• FUJI XEROX

  • FUJIFILM APEOS C3570

• HP

  • LASERJET E40040

  • COLOR LASERJET PRO M454dw

  • LASERJET E40040

  • COLOR LASERJET FLOW E78635

  • COLOR LASERJET PRO M454dw

  • COLOR LASERJET PRO MFP M479fdw

• KYOCERA

  • TASKalfa 3554ci

• RICOH

  • MP 2554

  • P 502

• SHARP

  • BP-70C55

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.11, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.

Approved USB printers

Approved models?

• CANON

  • iR ADV 400/500 iR ADV 500

  • iR C1325/1335

• EPSON

  • ET-M1180

  • WF-M5399

• HP

  • COLOR LASERJET FLOW X57945

  • COLOR LASERJET MFP X57945

• KYOCERA

  • ECOSYS MA5500ifx

  • ECOSYS PA5500x

• LEXMARK

  • CX331adwe

• XEROX

  • PHASER 3140

  • PHASER 3155

Observations? The DCA and Cloud Connector agent must be updated to version 1.0.11, as instructed at Update the agent or gateway on portal.