ELATEC launches TCP3 for controlling printers with card readers
30 June, 2019
category: Corporate, Education, Government
It’s a common concern in the digital ID world, one that speaks to multiple activities: The need to add ID card authentication to a printer or other non-USB enabled machine for purposes such as controlling printers with card readers.
The new product was designed to serve the secure printing market, literally controlling printers with card readers. But there are other possible uses
Well, the new TCP3 authentication and release station from ELATEC may be the solution to such problems. ELATEC describes the product as “a small network appliance that enables devices without a USB port to incorporate an RFID or biometric reader, PIN pad or other form of user authentication and access control, and which supports USB 3.0 and gigabit Ethernet networks.”
Controlling printers with card readers via TCP3
The need for such a product in the marketplace these days, according to ELATEC, comes from the practice of many organizations to “extend the use of their employee ID badge or card to authenticate for applications beyond building access. This includes most multi-function printers.” The problem comes from the fact that many printers and devices lack support for a direct connection of a card reader, because they have no USB port. “In these situations, the ELATEC TCP3 station extends ID card-based capabilities such as authentication for pull printing to any printing device regardless of the manufacturer, make or model,” the company said.
According to Kenneth Buck, Solutions Architect for ELATEC, “The TCP3 station was designed to minimize information technology support costs associated with additional IP or MAC addresses while consuming only one network drop from its Host port.” Additionally, he said, “TCP3 has two Ethernet connectors designated as Host and Device. The Device port enables connection of a printer or other peripheral without requiring a second network drop.”
The new product was designed to serve the secure printing market, the company said, literally controlling printers with card readers. But there are other possible uses. “The station can also be used to control access to devices which require special operator training and certification such as sophisticated manufacturing equipment,” explains ELATEC. “The TCP3 station would communicate ID card data to the authenticator responsible to unlock such equipment.”