What is PrintNode and why do I need it?

What it is:

PrintNode is a bridge between a web app (like 10X ERP, which runs in a browser) and physical printers on a local network. Browsers can't talk directly to printers on your network — PrintNode solves that.

How it works:

1. The web app (10X) sends a print job to PrintNode's cloud servers
2. PrintNode's cloud relays that job down to a small background program running on a local computer
3. That local program sends the job to the actual printer using that printer's specific settings

When You Need the Client Installed

You need the PrintNode client on a workstation when:

• The printer is connected to that specific computer (USB printer, or a network printer that's only accessible from that machine)
• That computer acts as the "print server" for the office — meaning it's always on and has access to the printers
• You need to print labels, invoices, or reports from the ERP directly to a local printer without manual downloading/printing

You do NOT need it on every workstation — just one machine  that:

• Is always on (or at least on during business hours)
• Can see all the printers you want to use
• Has a reliable internet connection

Practical example:

A customer has a label printer at their warehouse. They install PrintNode on one PC near the printer. Now any user in the ERP can trigger a label print and it comes out on that warehouse printer automatically, regardless of which computer the user is on.

Think of it like a always-running middleman app that listens for print jobs from the cloud and hands them off to local printers.