Mixed Environments with Rimage®

When one system simply isn’t enough, adding additional Rimage systems to a production environment is a great way to increase capacity and flexibility. While it’s always ideal to add systems of the same model type and software version, this isn’t always possible. Rimage is prepared for this and allows a wide range of combinations in a mixed environment to ensure maximum compatibility.

 

Autoloader

 

The first consideration is the model of system itself, the autoloader. This is also the easy one; all Rimage systems are compatible, utilize the exact same software, and work the same via the Rimage SDK. This means you can easily mix and match Rimage Catalyst®, Allegro™, Producer™, Professional™ and even older Rimage models. It also means switching out one system for another is a breeze, at least as far as the autoloader is concerned.

 

Printer

 

The second component of the hardware is the printer. There are differences between the printers, but for most cases they can be mixed or changed easily. The primary concern is the consumables; the Everest®, Prism™, Allegro and Desktop 2000i all use different consumables that are not interchangeable. Even the new Everest Encore™ printer uses different consumables than the Everest 600 printer. However, all these printers can use the same label files. Due to the countless variety of label files, Rimage recommends testing a label on a new type of printer, but in most cases the label file will print smoothly. In the rare case that there are any difficulties, often the solution is just opening the label, selecting the new printer, then saving the file - this should solve any issues.

 

Rimage Software

 

All Rimage systems utilize the same Rimage Software Suite (RSS). This means a computer with RSS installed and connected to an Allegro can upgrade to a Producer as easy as plugging it into the computer via USB and rebooting. Running a system with an older RSS version and a system with a newer RSS version also works in a majority of cases. Due to changes between different versions of software however, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the server side of the suite, Production Server and Messaging Server specifically, shouldn’t be older than the client software, such as QuickDisc™. So, you can send jobs from the older RSS to the newer one, but you could encounter errors if you try the opposite direction. It is best to keep the same version of RSS on all systems, though it generally works if you don’t.

 

Third-Party Integration

 

Many Rimage systems are utilized in an integrated workflow, meaning there is third-party software that sends jobs to the Rimage system, rather than using Rimage clients like QuickDisc. The good news is that most things are interchangeable. Since third-party clients interact through the RSS interface, there typically isn’t a concern with which hardware is being used. However, it is best to check with the third-party vendor, or to test. Some applications may utilize specific hardware features such as four bins or an external output slot that may require adjustment prior to working with new hardware.

 

The most important consideration for third-party clients is the Rimage Software Suite version. In many cases, third party software will work in a similar manner to Rimage clients: older clients will work with newer RSS versions, though not vice versa. The most common reason a third-party client would fail is due to incorrect DTD files. These files define the XML messages that the software uses to communicate between the client and Rimage software. This is an easy correction, usually requiring only copying the newer DTD files from the Rimage system to the third-party client. Since there are a wide variety of third-party clients, be sure to check with the client vendor first, or do in-house testing before you upgrade.

 

Rimage Can Help

 

If you have questions regarding compatibility or how to incorporate a new system into your existing workflow, Rimage Support is here to assist. Rimage Support is also a great resource if you would like a newer version of Rimage Software Suite. If you have an active service contract on your system, you are eligible to receive the latest version of RSS at no cost. Contact Rimage Support and they can promptly ship a disc to you or even provide a download link.