Here are some details on different methods you can use to print documents from Fuuz.

Option 1: Standard Browser Printing

Within your web browser, you can utilize the Ctrl+P option, as well as the print function available from the browser tool menu on literally any screen, dashboard, report or document within the Fuuz Platform. This option requires no configuration on the Fuuz end, or on your device.

Option 2: Chrome “Kiosk Printing”

Here’s a short video on setting up “Silent Printing” in the Chrome browser for simple printing configurations: 

You have a work unit control panel, you have a single barcode printer you wish to use and you do not print a high volume of labels.

Label Volumes

We consider a high volume of labels, to be when you are printing labels and/or posting production more frequently than it is feasible for a human to manually enter this info into the Fuuz application due to the speed of the process.

IF you have an environment, where its physically not possible for a user, to enter data to the Fuuz application, generate their labels and apply those labels as required prior to the next reporting becoming necessary you likely need to consider implementing automation and the Fuuz Gateway.

In most cases, production personnel have sufficient time to use the application - via a control panel interface between each production output of the machine that needs to be posted to the system - in these typical use cases, Option 1 or 2 should work very well.

Options when considering Kiosk Printing

If you decide to configure Kiosk printing - you have to consider some of the options available to you.

1. Kiosk printing mode only - this leaves the browser controls accessible to the end user, allowing them to close the browser, navigate away, etc.

2. Kiosk printing + Kiosk mode - this represents the Fuuz application in a full kiosk window, which eliminates all browser controls, helping to minimize the occurrences of shop floor personnel closing windows by accident, gaining access to sites other than Fuuz, or gaining access to browser settings/configurations which could pose a security risk to the company.

Configure your shortcut

1. Navigate to your desired application within Fuuz - many times for this use case it will be a control panel, or perhaps a mobile application you plan to use
   

2. Click the “share” page link to the top right corner of the screen
   

3. After clicking the link - you should see this blue snack bar message appear:
4. Create a new Desktop short cut
   
1. 
   The simple way to do this, is to copy your existing Chrome Browser shortcut and past a copy to your desktop.
   

Right click on the new icon - and select Properties

4. Update “Target” field

In the Target field, you’ll notice the existing information should look something like this:

Add the Kiosk Printing Option of your preference:

1. Kiosk Printing Only: --kiosk -printing

2. Kiosk Print + Kiosk Mode: --kiosk --kiosk -printing

When finished it should look something like this (Kiosk Printing only example):

Now - append the URL parameters that you previously copied from Fuuz and past those to the end with a space after the word printing.

Click “OK”

5. Reboot the Machine

6. Launch Chrome

Now your window will open - in Kiosk Printing mode.

If your screen in Fuuz is not configured as such (any action that results in a document being generated/printed) then this setup will not work as expected.

Expected Behavior

With the above configuration, Kiosk Printing in the chrome browser, handles the final step of the printing process for you - meaning, it issues the print command to whatever printer you have configured as the “default” for the browser - or by the pc, if you allow the OS to handle default printing configurations.

The Fuuz screen settings above, handle the 1st step in the printing process for any rendered document page, which replaces the need for a user to ‘click’ the “print” option when a pdf appears. These 2 things (Chrome + Fuuz) work in combination, to automatically print any document without the end user, having to be involved in the process.

This short video clip provides a glimpse as to how this will look for the end user. The document appears briefly, Fuuz clicks the print button, Chrome then submits the print to the printer and the page with the label is closed after 1 second; then returns the user to the original page to continue their work.

 

Workcenter or other printing station with multiple Printers attached:

1. This option presented above - using Chrome Kiosk printing would not be a viable solution, however, you may still choose to use the Fuuz configuration described above, to save a few clicks for the end user - you may just not want Chrome to submit the print job to your default printer. Instead, you may require your user to select a printer.

2. This can work well, with multiple printers, varying stock sizes, printing different types of documents from 1 machine (eg. Travelers/packing slips & labels)

Issues

Label/document not printing the correct printer? Double check both the Browser printers and your device default printer settings to make sure you have only 1 default printer configured.

Label/document is not printing proper size? Check the device printer drivers on the machine doing the printing - make sure the properties are set accordingly - this may require you do several test prints.

Label/document is not printing at all? Sometimes this can happen especially printing PDF documents to ZPL printers - you likely need to update your printer firmware - search for information on this from your hardware vendor for example: https://supportcommunity.zebra.com/s/article/PDF-Direct-Activation?language=en_US or

https://supportcommunity.zebra.com/s/article/Printing-a-PDF-File-Using-the-ZDesigner-Driver?language=en_US

Various printing device manufacturers may have different requirements, which could include firmware, drivers, or even hardware to make their printers compatible with PDFs.

Example Printer configuration window for Windows ZPL driver - as noted, Fuuz will not override these settings - so take care to set them according to your specific requirements:

Disclaimer

Please be aware that MFGx provides no guarantee that this method of printing or Chrome configuration will always function. Google may introduce or remove features that could impact silent printing capabilities. Users implementing third-party services take responsibility for those services, and MFGx cannot provide support if they cease to function, except through potential paid engagements to implement alternative solutions.

Option 3: Gateway Device Printing

Utilizing the Fuuz Device Gateway you can setup much more intuitive, or robust printing solutions for any documents generated in Fuuz based on any user interaction, integration or event.

This will require the installation of drivers, specific to your printing requirements: 

A brief video describing this capability can be found here: 

Fuuz Gateway: A Printing Solution for Fuuz Documents

This user manual provides instructions on how to use the Fuuz Gateway as a powerful printing option for Fuuz documents. The Fuuz Gateway allows for automated and efficient printing of documents based on various parameters, providing flexibility and streamlining the printing process. This guide will explain the features and steps involved in utilizing the Fuuz Gateway for printing purposes. In most circumstances when using the Gateway, unless you have trained personnel on staff that know how to configure devices, you will need to submit a support case so our engineering team can assist in the configuration.

Introduction to the Fuuz Gateway

The Fuuz Gateway provides a comprehensive printing solution for documents that require more complex setups or automated printing based on specific parameters. With the Fuuz Gateway, you can automatically print documents to designated printers or devices, including direct printing to PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers). The Gateway applies logic to determine where documents should be printed based on various parameters, such as user, workstation, work order, packaging type, and more.

Installing and Accessing the Fuuz Gateway

1. Log in to Fuuz as an administrator.

2. Navigate to the Fuuz Apps screen.

3. Download the latest version of the Fuuz Gateway available on the screen.

4. Install the Fuuz Gateway executable file on the desired machine. The Gateway can be installed on a virtual machine, client PC, or physical server.

5. Once the installation is complete, open a browser tab and enter localhost:5500 in the address bar. This will launch the internal web browser for the Gateway.

Logging in and Synchronizing the Gateway

1. On the Gateway login screen, enter your email address or API key, password, and subdomain.

2. Click Log in to proceed.

3. Select the desired tenant from the provided options.

4. Complete the login process.

Configuring the Fuuz Gateway

1. After successfully logging in, the Gateway will synchronize with the selected tenant.

2. Install the Gateway Drivers by following the instructions available in the Fuuz knowledge base. The TCP printer driver is commonly used for printing.

3. Configure the TCP printer driver to address the printers over the network using their IP addresses.

4. Associate the printers with specific work centers or configure advanced flows based on specific parameters.

5. Work with the Fuuz implementation team or refer to the knowledge base for detailed guidance on configuring printers and utilizing parameters for automated printing.

Printing with the Fuuz Gateway

1. Once the Gateway and printers are installed and configured, you can initiate printing from within Fuuz.

2. Generate the desired document or navigate to the relevant page or screen that requires printing.

3. Depending on the configured parameters, the Fuuz Gateway will automatically send the document to the designated printer or device.

4. Monitor the Gateway's status and any connected devices through the internal web browser interface.

Conclusion

The Fuuz Gateway provides a powerful printing solution for Fuuz documents, enabling automated and efficient printing based on various parameters. By leveraging the Fuuz Gateway, you can streamline the printing process, print documents to designated printers or devices, and automate printing based on specific criteria. This user manual has provided an overview of the Fuuz Gateway's features and instructions on how to install, configure, and utilize it for your printing needs.

For further assistance or in-depth guidance, refer to the Fuuz knowledge base or consult your implementation partner.