Configure printers for production management (BETA)

Production management makes it easy to print receipts, tickets and dockets to the right printers over a network connection. It also monitors the process in real-time and switches to backup printers if needed for your dockets to ensure your guests receive their orders. 

This guide shows you how to configure supported receipt printers for production management.

What you’ll need

You'll need:

1. Supported POS device connected to the network.
2. EpsonNet Config utility installed on the POS device. Read on for more information.
3. Supported Epson printer models connected to the same local network as the POS device by Ethernet cable or WiFi connection. Read on for supported printer models.
4. The Epson printer model’s serial number. This is found under the back cover of the printer on a white label. You use the serial number as the password to access the printer's web configuration page (if it hasn’t been changed from its default password). Read on for more information.

Supported printer models

ROLLER currently supports four printers for production management. 

• EPSON TM-m30II (Ethernet)
• EPSON TM-T88VII (Ethernet)
• EPSON TM-T82III (Ethernet)
• EPSON TM-U220B (Ethernet)

Printer accessories

Purchase the following items separately if required:

• Ethernet cables: If connecting via Ethernet, make sure you have an Ethernet cable for each printer.
• WiFi dongle: If connecting via WiFi, make suer you have a WiFi dongle for your printer model from Epson. 
• Printer receipt paper: 80 MM

Install the EpsonNet Config utility on a POS device

The method outlined here uses the EpsonNet Config utility. This utility helps you configure your printers for both Ethernet and WiFi connections to the network. 

1. Download the software from the Epson support page to your POS device, which is connected to the same network as your Epson printer/s. Download the EpsonNet Config (for Windows OS).
   
   EPSON TM-m30II (Ethernet)
   EPSON TM-T88VII (Ethernet)
   EPSON TM-T82III (Ethernet)
   EPSON TM-U220B (Ethernet)
   
   
2. Locate and double-click the .exe file (usually in your Downloads folder).
3. Follow the instructions to install the software.

Take note of your printer’s serial number

When configuring the printer, you’ll be prompted for a user name and password. If this hasn’t changed from the default, use the following details:

• User name: epson
• Password: <type the printer’s serial number found on a white sticker under the back cover of your printer>

Take the back cover off the printer and note down the serial number for each of your printers.

Process

1. Connect your printers to the network.
2. Set up unique static IP addresses for each printer.
3. Enable ePOS (electronic point of sale) for each printer.
4. Generate, export and install a SSL certificate on each POS device.
5. Perform a test print from its print station in Venue Manager.

Step 1: Connect your printers to the network

To connect your printers to the network, you have two options:

• Ethernet cable
• WiFi

While WiFi is available, it's recommended to connect via Ethernet.

If you choose to connect via WiFi, make sure that the printer is placed in an area with a strong signal. You'll also need to buy a WiFi dongle for the printer model.

For detailed instructions on setting up your printer and making sure it's connected to the network, consult the user manual that came with your specific printer model.

Step 2: Set up unique static IP addresses for each printer

You must assign a static IP address to each printer and make sure it doesn’t change. The IP address identifies which printer to send receipts and dockets to. You’ll then enter this static IP address into its corresponding print station in Venue Manager.

This step uses the EpsonNet Config utility (see above) to set the static IP address for each printer.

1. Turn your printer on.
2. Connect the printer to the network using an Ethernet cable or WiFi. You must connect the printer to the same network as the POS device where you’ve installed the EpsonNet Config utility.
3. Start up the EpsonNet Config utility from your POS device. You can usually find it in the Windows Start menu or by searching for EpsonNet Config.
4. In the EpsonNet Config tool, select Refresh to discover the printer on the network. 
5. After a few moments, the utility lists any Epson printers connected to the same network as your POS device. If nothing appears, make sure your printer is turned on and connected to the network.
   
   If you're unable to discover these your printers using the EpsonNet Config tool, contact your IT/Network specialist for further troubleshooting.
   
   
6. Your network router should have automatically assigned an IP address and you’ll see it identified for the printer in the list.
   
   
7. Then, to make the IP address static for a printer, change the method for specifying an IP address from Automatic to Manual:
   
   
   • Right-click the target printer and select Configuration.
   • In the configuration window, from the left-side menu, go to TCP/IP > Basic.
   • By default Automatic is selected as the method for specifying the printer IP address.
   • Select Manual to make the printer IP address static.
   • Select Transmit to update the printer's settings. Once the process is complete, you’ll return to the printer list.
   • Select Refresh to populate the list.
     
     
8. Take note of the printer's static IP address. You will require this information to secure your network connection with SSL (HTTPS) and when creating its print station in Venue Manager.

What if no IP address has been automatically assigned for the printer in the steps above?

• In the EpsonConfig utility printer list, right-click the target printer and select Configuration.
• Select Transmit to automatically assign a printer IP address. Once the process is complete, you’ll return to the printer list.
• Select Refresh to update the printer list.
• Then continue with steps 7 and 8 above to make the IP address static.

What’s next? Follow the steps below using the EpsonNet Config utility to enable ePOS functionality for the printer.

Step 3: Enable ePOS for each printer

You must check that ePOS is enabled for each printer. You do this from the printer's web configuration page. 

1. In the Epson Config utility window, select Refresh to refresh your printer list.
2. Right-click your target printer and select Launch browser. Select OK in the pop-up message.
3. The printer’s web browser configuration page opens in a new browser tab.
4. The first time you do this in Google Chrome, you'll get the message: Your connection is not private.
   
   This is because we haven’t set up a SSL certificate yet (we will do this in the next section). Ignore this message for now, and complete the steps below. 
   
   
5. Select the Advanced button on the page.
6. Select the link to the printer’s IP address to go to the printer’s browser configuration page.
7. If asked to log in, use "epson" as the username and your printer’s serial number as the password (found under the back cover of the printer). 
8. From the navigation menu, go to ePOS-Print.
9. For the ePOS-Print setting, make sure Enable is selected.
10. Select Send to update the setting for the printer. Your printer will restart. 
11. From the navigation menu, select ePOS-Device.
12. For the ePOS-Device setting, make sure Enable is selected.
13. Select Send to update the setting for the printer. Your printer will restart. 
    
    

What’s next? Complete the following steps to ensure that each printer is securely connected to its corresponding physical POS devices.

Step 4: Generate, export and install a SSL certificate on each POS device

Epson ePOS printers require HTTPS to securely connect with your POS devices. With HTTPS you require a SSL certificate. For the certificate to be trusted, you must generate and export a certificate from a printer, then install it on each of its connected POS devices. 

The interface  and buttons for the printer’s web configuration page varies from model to model. While the instructions and videos in this section relate to the EPSON TM-m30II, the process is the same.

Generate the SSL certificate

First you need to generate a SSL certificate from the printer and make sure it includes the static IP address you’ve set up for the printer. Make sure you have the static IP address that you set up in the section above for the printer to complete this step.

1. In the Epson Config utility window, select Refresh to refresh your printer list.
2. Right-click your target printer and select Launch browser. Select OK in the pop-up warning message.
3. If asked to log in again, use "epson" as the username and your printer’s serial number as the password (found under the back cover of the printer). 
4. From the printer’s web configuration home page, go to Network > Security > SSL.
5. For a Self-signed certificate, select Create.
6. In the Common name field, enter the static IP address you set for the printer (from above). It must be the exact same IP address for printing to work. 
7. For the Certificate Validity, select a long expiry (10 years).
8. Select Next > OK.
9. Wait for the SSL certificate to generate on the page. Sometimes the web configuration page may timeout while the SSL certificate generates from the printer. In this case, refresh the browser and the SSL certificate will still have generated. 

The static IP address you enter in the common name field must exactly match the static IP address for your printer.

Export the SSL certificate

Complete the following steps to export the SSL certificate generated from each printer.

1. From the printer’s web configuration page, select the Not secure icon in the address bar.
2. Select Connection is not secure from the drop-down menu.
3. The Certificate viewer window opens.
4. Select the Details tab.
5. Select Export.
6. Save to your POS device computer in a place you can easily find it again (eg desktop).

Install the SSL certificate on each POS device

Complete the following steps to install the SSL certificate on each POS device you want to connect the printer with.

1. From the Windows taskbar, search for Manage computer certificates. You will require a Windows administrator login to the POS computer to access this folder for the local computer. 
2. The Certificates - Local Computer folder opens for your computer.
3. From the Certificates - Local Computer folder, go to Trusted Root Certification Authorities > Certificates.
4. Right click Certificates folder and select Import.
5. The Certificate Import Wizard opens.
6. Make sure Local Machine is selected for the root certificate store.
7. Select Next.
8. Browse for the certificate file saved to your desktop.
9. Select Next.
10. The certificate imports to your computer and is successfully installed.
11. Clear your cache, quit the browser window and restart Windows to finish the installation. This makes sure that the certificate is valid. If you don't complete this step, Chrome caching issues may cause the certificate to be invalid.

To check the connection is trusted and the certificate is valid:

1. Relaunch the EpsonNet Config utility.
2. Select the printer, then select Launch browser.
3. The lock icon in the address bar indicates the certificate is valid and the connection is trusted.

Alternatively type in the printer's static IP address after https:// to check a lock icon appears in the address bar.

Step 5: Complete a test print from its print station in Venue Manager

Once a printer is successfully configured, enter its static IP address in its print station in Venue Manager, then complete a test print.

1. From Venue Manager, go to Settings > Print stations.
2. Create a new print station for the printer or select one you’ve already created. Learn more
3. Enter the static IP address in the IP field, then select Test print.
   
   
   • Connected: Printer is ready to use. A test sheet also prints from the connected printer.
   • Not connected: Cannot connect to printer. Check IP address. This means that the setup is not correct. 
   • Not connected: Incorrect IP address format. Please review. This means your IP address doesn’t follow the expected format.

Read on for troubleshooting steps if your printer’s static IP address does not connect.

Once the static printer IP address is entered in Venue Manager, make sure it remains unchanged. The printer’s IP address must remain the same in all three places: the printer, the print station and the SSL certificate.

Troubleshoot an unsuccessful test print

If you’re receiving a not connected message when performing a test print, check the following:

• Your printer is turned on and connected to the same network as your POS device.
• Restart the POS device. This can often fix any connection issues after installing a SSL certificate.
• You’ve completed all the steps in this guide.
• You’ve entered the printer’s static IP address correctly in its corresponding print station in Venue Manager.
• The static IP address entered in the print station in Venue Manager exactly matches what you’ve configured for the printer and what is used in the installed SSL certificate.
• You've installed the latest SSL certificate you've generated on the POS device.

Refer to the guide Troubleshoot an unsuccessful test print from a print stationfor detailed troubleshooting steps.

Learn more

• Getting started with production management
• Create your print stations for production management
• Configure POS and cash drawer settings for production management (BETA)
• Error handling at POS with production management (BETA)