Minimum Version Required: 22.01
Pre-Conditions
The user logged into the computer must have a user account type of 'Full Administrator'
If they are not a full administrator, they need to change their account type or have another user log in who has access
Steps
How to Install Auto Print Services
Auto Print Service Pre-Install Steps:
1. Ensure you are signed in to the computer as an administrator.
2. Confirm your printer driver is installed on the same computer you are installing the APS.
3. Connect the printer to the network.
4. Verify there is a connection between the computer and the printer by completing a Windows test print outside of Encompass.
5. Confirm the machine is running Windows 8 or higher (recommended Windows 10) and .Net Framework 4.8. (See How to Check Your Computer's .NET Framework)
6. Ensure the 8083 port is not blocked by any antivirus software or firewalls on the computer or virtual machine: Whitelist your Encompass URL/Domain in the firewall/antivirus setup.
How to Install APS:
1. Using Universal Search, navigate to the ‘Client Versions’ table.
2. Click the ‘Client Application’ column header.
3. Search ‘Auto Print Services for PC’ then click Go.
4. Locate the highest available APS version and click the ‘Download’ link.
5. Once downloaded, open the Encompass APS Installation .exe file on the desktop.
6. Click Next then Install.
7. Click Finish.
8. Fill in the fields on the Connections tab:
a. Encompass ID - Encompass ID can be found in the bottom left corner of the Encompass site and is case-sensitive.
b. Select Location.
c. Check the box for Secure Connection.
9. Click Save.
Adding a Printer to APS:
1. Locate the Windows Task Tray in the bottom right corner of the desktop.
2. APS is represented by an icon of a small printer with a green tube, right-click the icon.
3. Select Add a Printer.
4. Select the printer name that you would like to add (repeat to add additional printers).
Printer Fields and Test Printing from Encompass:
1. In Encompass, search for Auto Print Services using the Universal Search bar.
2. Locate the APS that was installed.
3. Click Sub Tables and select 'Printers'.
4. Here, the printer settings can be edited for what will print from Encompass to the printer:
Pick Pallet Tags: Pallet labels for retail delivery.
Receiving Pallet tags: Pallet labels for date tracking.
Warehouse Reports: Load Sheet Manifests, Invoices, etc.
Print Receiving Case Tag: Individual labels for special cases and kegs.
Print Asset Tag: Labels for assets such as coolers or neon signs.
Print Retailer Label Tag: Shelf labels for retail placements.
How to Uninstall APS
1. Navigate to the Windows Control Panel.
2. Select Add/Remove Programs.
3. Locate ‘Encompass Auto Print Service’.
4. Select Uninstall Program.
5. Restart Computer.
Troubleshooting:
Do not begin troubleshooting APS without first confirming a Windows test print; APS will not work if the connection between printer and computer is not established.
How to Restart Auto Print Service:
1. Open Auto Print Services in the Windows Task Bar in the bottom right corner of the screen (you may need to click on the carrot or ‘^’ to expand the tray).
2. Right-click on the APS icon (printer with green tube).
3. Select Restart or Start.
How to Restart Print Spooler
1. From Windows search 'Services'.
2. Click on the Services option.
3. Search for “Print Spooler”.
4. Right-click on the Print Spooler, where the options to Stop/Start/Restart will be displayed.
5. Select Restart.
Restart the Computer
1. Ensure the user has sufficient permissions to log back into the computer.
2. From the desktop, open the Start menu.
3. Click on the power icon.
4. Select the option to Restart the computer.
Check the Printer IP address and update, if needed
1. Log into your PC as an administrator. Depending on your computer's security settings, this may not be necessary.
2. From the Start Menu, select Settings->Printers.
3. Right-click on the printer and select Properties from the pull-down menu.
4. Select Ports, then Configure (This button will be grayed out if you're not the administrator.)
5. In the type-in labeled ‘Printer Name or IP address’, you'll see the old IP address. You need to edit it to reflect the new one.
6. Then click ‘OK’, and close the Properties menu. Try printing something. If it doesn't come out, double-check the new IP address.
Check Print Permissions on the C Drive
1. From the Files folder of the desktop, open the C drive.
2. Search for Program Files (x86).
3. Right-click on Encompass Technologies.
4. Select Properties.
5. Click Security.
6. Click edit/add: permission needs to be Everyone (type in 'every' in the dialogue box, then use the check names button to pull up the Everyone permission).
7. Select Full on the next screen.
8. Apply changes.
How to Upgrade APS
To ensure optimal performance, confirm you're using the newest version of APS. If you're experiencing persistent issues, upgrading is recommended.
1. To update, simply right-click the APS icon in your task tray (lower right corner of the screen) and select "Upgrade."
2. If this option isn't available, you'll need to manually uninstall the current version:
Navigate to the Windows Control Panel.
Select Add/Remove Programs.
Locate ‘Encompass Auto Print Service’.
Select Uninstall Program.
Restart Computer.
3. Download the newest one from the Client Versions table
Using Universal Search, navigate to the ‘Client Versions’ table.
Click the ‘Client Application’ column header.
Search ‘Auto Print Services for PC’ then click Go.
Locate the highest available APS version and click the ‘Download’ link.
Once downloaded, open the Encompass APS Installation .exe file on the desktop.
Click Next then Install.
Click Finish.
Fill in the fields on the Connections tab
a. Encompass ID - Encompass ID can be found in the bottom left corner of the Encompass site and is case-sensitive.
b. Select Location.
c. Check the box for Secure Connection.
Click Save.
See Also:
Fields And Definitions
APS - Auto Print Service
Encompass ID - Encompass ID can be found in the lower left corner of the Encompass site and is case-sensitive
Auto Print Services - Active field: This field indicates if there is an active connection to the APS client. If the connection to the client is lost, this value will change to False. You can alert on this value to notify local IT staff if an APS client becomes unreachable.
Best Practices
Best Practices
Log in to the computer as an administrator
Make sure you have the correct User Permissions to change the APS settings
If Print Jobs are stuck in the “New” status, try restarting APS first, then try an APS upgrade if the issue persists
If Print Jobs are stuck in the “Printing” status, check the desktop Printer Queue for stuck print jobs first, then restart the computer/printer if the issue persists
To ensure optimal performance, confirm you're using the newest version of APS. If you're experiencing persistent issues, upgrading is recommended. To update, simply right-click the APS icon in your task tray (lower right corner of the screen) and select "Upgrade." If this option isn't available, you'll need to manually uninstall the current version and then download the newest one from the Client Versions table.
Security Information
While administrator permission is not necessary for processing the print jobs, automatic program management for APS needs admin permission to maintain APS properly. Admin-required actions are related to managing program files, and include remote stop, uninstall, and upgrade controls.
Admin permission can be removed from APS, but Encompass's recommendation is to maintain elevated permissions for the best experience. Windows system restrictions require APS to have elevated permissions for the program to perform all functions:
APS Print Service: This is the main function of APS, processing print jobs from the Encompass site. Does not need admin permissions to work properly.
APS Management: Provides the configuration form for connection to an EncompassID and selection of a Location. Installs and runs the service automatically.*
APS Upgrade: Needs to stop and uninstall the service to upgrade APS.*
APS Uninstall: Needs to stop and uninstall the service, along with removing all the APS client files.*
All functions marked with * will not work without Administrator permissions.