SFU IT Services (ITS) is currently working to implement PaperCut, a card-less system, to all of their printers in the libraries and computer labs.
This will replace the current print card system which has been in place for 20 years.
Desktop Services manager and PaperCut project manager Allen Murray explained that rather than constantly replacing and repairing the old card readers and dispensers — which can cost between $1,500 and $2,000 each — ITS made the decision to upgrade the entire system.
“PaperCut is used by many universities all over the world and it seemed to be [. . .] the best product out there at this time for an online type of system,” said Murray.
One of the main differences between the old system and PaperCut is the option to pay for printing using a credit card through an online account. This part of the system was “soft-launched” this month, and so far approximately 200 to 300 students have set up accounts.
Students will also have the option to add cash to their PaperCut printing accounts at a “loader” machine, which will function in a manner similar to the old card dispensers.
The printing process will be similar to the current one, as students will still enter their account credentials at a print terminal to release their documents.
“It’s a pretty nice little system,” said Murray. “It shows you what you’ve printed. When you put money into your account there’s a transaction history and a print job history that lets you see exactly how much you’ve spent.”
ITS hoped to have everything set up by the start of the semester so that new students wouldn’t have to purchase print cards. However, the cash payment side of the system was not ready due to a last-minute decision to change the specific model of the loaders that will allow students to add cash to their accounts.
Murray explained that they are currently testing a new loader model manufactured by the Canadian company ITC Systems prior to installing them for student use. The goal is to have the cash loaders in place at all three campuses and in the libraries for the start of the Spring semester.
Murray noted, “One of the hassles of this [transition] is going to be phasing out the card, obviously.” ITS plans to stop selling print cards by January once all of the cash loaders are in place.
The library and ITS are working out a way to reimburse the $1 deposit for the cards — however, any additional funds on the card will not be transferable or refundable.
The card reader system will remain running parallel to PaperCut in the labs and libraries for at least two additional semesters to give students an opportunity to use up any remaining funds on their print cards.
“Two semesters should accommodate most people, but even at that point if we get feedback from students that [. . .] there’s still cards out there, we could leave one printer somewhere with a card [reader] on it, so that they could still use it until we know that it’s all cleaned up.”
Murray referred to the PaperCut FAQ webpage as a primary resource for students, which outlines the system in detail and is frequently being updated as they work out specifics and receive new questions and feedback.
All SFU’s computers have shortcut links on the desktop leading to the FAQ page, as well as to the Moneras page that allows students to add funds to their account using a credit card.
Regarding the transition process in general, Murray said, “There’s going to be a little bit of pain, just like starting anything new.”
