As any mountain biker can tell you, riding  single track can be a real thrill. 

Taking on a single-laned, streamlined route is one of the more popular routes for MTBers looking to perfect their craft. Many refer to it as "flowy," fast and turny, but without many of the technical obstacles of wider routes. But single track is all about anticipating each turn and drop, leaning your bike against the flow of the trail, while using your body weight to counterweight the direction you're pointing the bike. In other words, it's all about looking ahead.

So what does riding single track have to do with print output management?

uniFLOW (as well as PaperCut) is a single-source, software-based system to manage a print environment with similar streamlined movements. It’s also emerging as a popular resource for businesses wanting to better secure and better control print costs as they cruise through day-to-day workflows. And finally – just like single-track MTBers, it’s all about looking ahead. And to see the route ahead, you’ve got to train.

Train of Thought With Print Management: Q & A With Eric Szuminski

Eric Szuminski takes these elements to heart. The Dallas/Fort Worth-based technician and uniFLOW specialist has done his fair share of training (along with many others!) on the winding curves and new obstacles that come with such a robust software solution. We threw a few questions Eric’s way to learn more about uniFLOW as we look ahead.

What makes uniFLOW such a prominent solution in 2023, and one that we should be trained up on as thoroughly as possible?"

UniFLOW and also, Papercut, which we also sell and service, are becoming more and more desired among companies who want to take more control over what is printable, more scanning options, and with cloud-based UnFLOW/Papercut it negates the need to spend money, potentially, on expensive computer equipment. So definitely a money saving goal, ultimately.

It is also a way to secure printers, MFPs, and copiers from the outside world and protect customer data. Both from accessing scanned and printed documents.

For why technicians should be, at least, basically trained for UniFLOW or Papercut is to be able to navigate the login system and maybe instruct the rare customer/user who may not be totally familiar with the interface. And to do some basic troubleshooting if/when there is an issue.

Describe the level of training you've completed, and what you have on deck?

I have completed up to Level 2 uniFLOW on-prem server-based Canon training. There is a Level 3, but with UniFLOW Online becoming the main product from Canon/NT-Ware it may not be necessary. It basically covered an aspect of server-based Uniflow pertaining to Workflows, where you can tailor-make Print or Scan workflows to better suit an office.

Also, I have completed UniFLOW Online training from Canon and a few personal group meetings with our “local” NT-Ware rep at our office here in Coppell. Refresher training, first time training for new technicians and supervisors for basic understanding, etc.

I was scheduled and booked for a trip to Nashville last week but had to cancel due to a major installation for a prominent customer here in the Dallas area that involved Uniflow.

Papercut “training” is different. There isn’t a scheduled or certifiable program with them. You just access their site, view videos and documentation, then try to take the quizzes/tests at the end of each lesson section. They do seem to offer free support up to a point, then they will need to send you a quote for billing.

For Canon support on uniFLOW I can call almost ad-hoc, with priority because of our relationship with Canon.

No upcoming training currently for uniFLOW (Although we will point out that in East Texas, Kevin McKain I just finished his uniFLOW Online training and uniFLOW Level I, and in a week and a half he starts uniFLOW Level II training.

What impresses you most about this particular solution? Please elaborate.

To focus on uniFLOW Online, the ease of use. From setting up an account, to fine-tuning the account to best serve the customer and installing the devices on the UniFLOW system with the software automatically downloaded and installed on each device is uncanny.

Even the interface on the device itself and the SmartClient that is installed for each user at their computer (though still a work in progress?) makes printer selection or cost center selection a breeze.

They’ve taken what was cumbersome and maybe overengineered in the server-based version and simplified it in the cloud-based version.