Competitive Landscape; Key Product Features - Lantronix xPrintServer User Manual

1.3 Competitive Landscape

At time of launch (December 2011), no direct (hardware/print server) competition
exists for the xPrintServer.
Current competition exists in related categories:
1. The App Approach:
a. Direct Printing Apps – Free and paid apps that allow for printing directly to a
Wi-Fi enabled printer (examples = Canon's Easy Photo-Print for iPhone; HP's
iPrint Photo app).
i. Issue = limits you to these particular printers, especially troublesome for
b. Printing-to-Shared Printers – Still app-based, searches a Wi-Fi network for
Macs (not PCs) with shared printers.
i. Issue = limited to Mac users.
c. "Other Apps" – Dozens, if not more, apps that don't talk directly to printers,
but to a server that is run in the background on a Mac or PC, to connect to
printers attached to the specific machine you're on.
i. Issue = user has to leave the program in which they're interacting (such
2. iOS / AirPrint Printers
a. New printers being brought out by major manufacturers (HP, Epson) that are
designed specifically for the iPad.
i. Issue = Users can spend a minimum of $99.00+ for each new printer. In
3. The "Work-around" Approach:
a. Sync your docs back to your Mac or PC, and print then print. (Technically, not
even "iPad printing".)
i. Issue = It's time consuming, and the user has to have a desktop or

2. KEY PRODUCT FEATURES

• No 'app' or additional software or downloads required
• Simple configuration
• Auto printer discovery (for supported printers)
• Translation of iOS format to printer-specific PDL (Page Description Language)
• Security features
• Support for network-attached printers
• External LED status indicator
• Configuration via browser (HTTP)
enterprises who have existing investments in legacy printers.
as email, web-browsing, Word or PowerPoint files, etc.).
a corporate environment, it's not cost effective or practical to buy,
deploy and support.
laptop available at all times for printing.
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