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Printing to multiple printers

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:25 pm
by iainc
I'm stuck on a problem and need some advice.

A php application is currently printing some reports formatted for letter, with no changes to the browser settings. We need to add a report that prints to a barcode label printer and the user needs to print both types without changing the browser's print preferences. I haven't found a way to modify the print preferences in the browser through css or java. The interface needs to run from six locations, accessed through the internet. They are all running IE. Dozens of the reports are printed daily and I don't want the user to have to choose a printer in the print dialog.

Currently, the letter reports print automatically, based on a user action and the print dialog is confirmed with the enter button.

What is the best way to add printing to another printer?

My main idea is to have the user download a file (xml?) containing the raw data to be printed that has a unique extension that I can associate with an executable (that I would have to write) installed on the workstation. The executable will format the raw data and send it to the appropriate printer.

I had considered outputting pdf files but I think that would require the user to choose the printer, depending on the type of report.

Thanks,
Iain

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:34 pm
by feyd
Write it to one (or more) PDF files. Let them choose the printer.