CTS supports all user device printing on campus utilizing SUNY’s system-wide Managed Print Initiative, which commenced in 2022. This project is aimed at improving efficiency, reducing our carbon footprint, and achieving significant cost savings.
Devices are centrally located, typically one per floor per building, to better serve our community. The location of these devices were determined after an in-depth study by a SUNY print consultant.
The devices are multi-function units equipped with printing, scanning, and a host of other features.
FAQ's
How do the new printers work?
The new printers use a cloud-based universal print driver. You no longer have to install printers onto your device or select a specific printer you want to send a print job to. You can walk up to any of the new printers to get your printout.
The new printers use Secure Print Release (see the video for more information) to ensure the privacy of sensitive materials. Your job will not come out until you arrive at a printer and touch your Campus ID Card to the RFID reader on the device to release the printout. Please note that all campus ID cards will require a new RFID sticker for the card to work on the card reader. If you forgot your ID card, you can use the touchscreen to log into the printer and release your job. Additionally, an app is available for mobile devices where you can scan a QR Code at the device to release your print job. The mobile app is available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store and is called “Pharos Secure Release” the icon is a gray circle with a torch. (Warning- DO NOT choose the app called “Pharos Print”!)
How to get an RFID sticker?
Stop by the IT Service Desk with your SUNY Potsdam ID and one will be provided free of charge. New employees and students will receive an RFID sticker when their Campus Card is issued to them by PACES.
Where are the devices located?
A complete list of printer locations can be found on the CTS website by following this link: (coming soon) The locations are designed to be as publicly accessible as possible for all members of the campus community. Please do not take it upon yourselves to move these printers.
Who may use the devices?
Any current faculty, staff, or student may use any device in any location. If you have a device in your area and someone requests to print, please allow access to the unit.
How will toner and supplies be replenished?
Departments no longer need to order toner for regular administrative office printing. The new printers automatically “phone-home” to order toner and maintenance items when needed, and they will be delivered to the IT Service Desk, who will handle replacement.
CTS through Central Printing will coordinate supply of standard office paper in 8.5 x 11” and 11 x 17” sizes and will manage paper ordering for each print device on campus. Each area will have a designated office for paper management. When paper supplies are needed, please email ctssupplies@potsdam.edu and paper will be ordered. ONLY the designated offices will be able to submit requests. The IT Service Desk will keep paper on hand for evening or emergency need.
Please note that CTS does not supply pre-printed letterhead or high-quality bonded stock that might be needed for certain jobs. If you need to print on letterhead, you should add your department’s letterhead to the tray before releasing the print job. Alternatively, the Office of College Communications can provide an electronic version of your letterhead for printing in one job.
What if my printer jams or is displaying an error message?
Contact the IT Service Desk. Then go to the next closest printer unit and print out your jobs. Please DO NOT try to correct the jam or troubleshoot yourself. CTS will handle all issues and coordinate service, if necessary.
Is there a print quota?
There will be no print allocations or quotas for college employees or students. CTS will use the Pharos Print Dashboard to monitor and review print usage and will share usage reports with department managers upon request. All print use will be tracked, monitored, and reported by user, by department, by page count, and by type (color vs b/w, single vs double-sided). Significant anomalies will be reviewed and may be brought to unit management attention. But you can and should print what you need to print for College business.
Can I print from a personal device?
Yes! For computers there is a web-portal available here. Sign in, follow the instructions to upload your document and will be waiting for you at the device like any other job sent.
For cell phones, if you have the Microsoft OneDrive app and the Pharos Secure Release app installed on your device, you can open the document on your phone and click “Print” just like you would from a computer. The Pharos Secure Release app will open, in the upper left corner click on “Secure Printer” and then in the dropdown menu choose the “Secure Printer” option with the printer icon next to it. Then your document will be sent to your Pharos account to print from any device you choose.
Are these color printers?
Some of the new printers are color capable and are noted on the locations page (coming soon). During the multi-year audit phase, SUNY consultants analyzed our printing patterns and print volume. This data was used to determine the locations of the devices to consolidate and centralize the new color capable units.
May I use a USB connected print device?
SUNY’s system-wide Managed Print Initiative policy does not allow for USB connected desktop devices. The goal is to eliminate these types of devices that are both expensive to operate and do not conform to the Secure Printing mandate of the policy. Please be aware that the software installed for Secure Print also records any USB Printing Device attached to a computer. The data metrics about these devices are uploaded to the vendor portal and the data is available to SUNY for review.
If you have further questions, please contact the IT Service Desk at itservicedesk@potsdam.edu.