.. /*  
    * This file is part of the SavaPage project <https://www.savapage.org>.
    * Copyright (c) 2026 Datraverse B.V.
    * Author: Rijk Ravestein.
    *
    * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: (c) 2020 Datraverse B.V. <info@datraverse.com>
    * SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
    *
    * For more information, please contact Datraverse B.V. at this
    * address: info@datraverse.com
    */

.. figure:: ../images/manual/savapage-logo-no-text-100px.png
   :width: 75px

.. _ch-intro:

Introduction
============

.. admonition:: |ADMONITION_TABLE_OF_CONTENTS|

   - :numref:`{number}. {name} <ch-intro-what-is>`
   - :numref:`{number}. {name} <ch-intro-sys-req>`
   - :numref:`{number}. {name} <ch-intro-how-does-it-work>`


.. _ch-intro-what-is:

What is |PRODUCT_NAME|?
-----------------------

.. contents::
   :depth: 1
   :local:

.. _intro-in-a-nutshell:

In a nutshell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*SavaPage is an* |RST_PRODUCT_SLOGAN_ITALIC| *that uses Open Standards and
Commodity Hardware for Secure Pull-Printing, Pay-Per-Print, Delegated
Print, Job Ticketing, Auditing and PDF Creation.*

SavaPage is implemented as :ref:`Print
Server <ch-intro-concepts-print-server>` on GNU/Linux. Any
workstation or device that supports Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), IP
Printing (JetDirect), or AirPrint®  [1]_ can print to |PRODUCT_NAME|. This
includes workstations running :ref:`GNU/Linux <ch-printer-linux>`,
:ref:`macOS <ch-printer-macos>` or :ref:`Windows <ch-printer-windows>`, as
well as devices running :ref:`Chrome OS <ch-printer-chrome-os>`,
:ref:`Android <ch-printer-android>`, :ref:`iOS and iPadOS <ch-printer-ios>`.
Moreover, a :ref:`Driverless File Transfer
Print <ch-printer-driverless-file-transfer>` alternative is available
via |RST_LINK_WEBPRINT| and |RST_LINK_MAILPRINT|.

Printed pages are shown in the SavaPage :ref:`Web Application <ch-intro-concepts-webapp>`. 
Print jobs are accumulated in a single personal preview, where they can be manipulated and pruned,
before storing or routing them as PDF document.

In the Web App, documents are routed to a “real” printer, optionally via
intermediate Job Tickets, with Common Printing Dialogs of server-side
installed printers (*proxy printers*). This makes SavaPage the
Central Print Portal where documents to be printed are acquired and
routed.

Pay-per-Print functions charge printing costs to individuals, groups, or
shared accounts. With :ref:`Delegated Print <ch-webapp-user-main-print-print-delegation>`
authorized users can print on behalf of other users.

SavaPage Web App is optimized for desktop as well as mobile
browsers. This opens up many useful scenario's. For instance, a user can
walk up to a printer and send a print job on the spot, by pushing a
button on their smartphone. With a special Web App, administrators on
the go can easily monitor the system on their tablet.

*SavaPage turns printing into a unified experience, abstracted from
platform specifics. It is the logical stopover where users are guided
through sustainable print scenario's that help reduce overall printing
costs.*

.. [1]
   *AirPrint* is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.


.. _intro-libre-software:

Open Source Software
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SavaPage is *OSI Certified Open Source Software*  [2]_, licensed
under the |RST_LINK_AGPL| as published by the
`Free Software Foundation <https://www.fsf.org/>`__, either version 3 of
the License, or (at your option) any later version. All JavaScript code
run in SavaPage Web Apps is :ref:`GNU LibreJS <ch-freepriv-librejs>`
compliant.

.. [2]
   OSI Certified is a certification mark of the `Open Source
   Initiative <https://opensource.org/>`__.


.. _intro-benefits:

Benefits
~~~~~~~~

The key benefits of SavaPage are:

- Less administration 
    - SavaPage is the one printer you need to print to any printer in your organization.

- Zeroconf printing
    - All you need is :ref:`AirPrint <ch-printer-ipp-everywhere>` or a simple file upload to
      print from any workstation or device, and a Web Browser for Print Preview.

- Zero-install WebTop
    - Printers in your organization are sandboxed in a Web Desktop and available 
      for advanced :ref:`Print Scenarios <app-proxyprint-scenarios>` 
      on previewed |PRODUCT_NAME| print jobs.

- Easy follow-me printing
    - Several hold-release scenarios, optionally
      with NFC cards, are supported. Users can even use their own mobile
      device as print release terminal.

- Think before you print
    - SavaPage Print Preview makes you think
      twice. Do you really need to print all these pages?

- Eco-friendly
    - Create environmental awareness by drawing end-user
      attention to the cost of printing, and save precious paper, trees and
      money along the way.

- Reduction of printing costs
    - Remove unnecessary pages and graphics.
    - Save as PDF, or route to a "real" printer with n-up, gray-scale and
      duplex to reduce printing costs.

- No pre-printed paper needed
    - Eliminate the cost of pre-printed paper. 
    - Create virtual letterheads and apply them to any print job.

- Advanced Print Services
    - Job Ticketing and Delegated Print.

- Open Source Software 
    - *Open Standards* above Proprietary Software.

- Commodity Hardware
    - Instead of expensive Proprietary Devices.

- Peer-To-Peer Cooperation
    - Instead of Centralized *Corporation*. The
      :ref:`SavaPage Community <ch-community>` is there to help.

.. _intro-key-features:

Key Features
~~~~~~~~~~~~

The key features of SavaPage are:

- One SavaPage Printer
   - :ref:`IPP Everywhere and AirPrint <ch-printer-ipp-everywhere>` support on Local Network.
   - Secure |RST_LINK_INTERNETPRINT|
     and :ref:`Android Print Service <ch-printer-android-savapage-print-app>`.
   - :ref:`Driverless File Transfer Print <ch-printer-driverless-file-transfer>` via
     |RST_LINK_WEBPRINT| and |RST_LINK_MAILPRINT|.
   - Advanced :ref:`IPP Queues <ch-webapp-admin-queues>` for various
     trust models and :ref:`IPP Routing <ch-webapp-admin-queue-ipp-routing>`.
- :ref:`Follow-me Printing <ch-webapp-admin-devices-card-reader-proxy-print-auth>`
   - :ref:`Release Terminals <ch-webapp-admin-devices-terminal>`
   - :ref:`NFC Authentication <ch-webapp-admin-devices-card-reader>`
- Web Apps for Desktops *and* Mobile Devices
   - Easy authentication
      -  :ref:`Username/Password <ch-webapp-user-login>`,
         :ref:`ID/PIN <ch-webapp-user-login-alternatives>` and 
         :ref:`NFC Card <ss-user-login-card-local>` authentication.
      -  :ref:`LDAP <ch-webapp-admin-options-user-source-ldap>` (Active Directory) Integration.
      -  :ref:`Raspberry Pi <app-nfc-reader-network-service>` Network Card Reader.
      -  :ref:`2-Step Verification <ch-webapp-user-login-2-step>` (2FA).
   - :ref:`User Web App <ch-webapp-user-main-print>`
      - Real-time print preview with
        :ref:`Browse <ch-webapp-user-main-browser>`,
        :ref:`Sort <ch-webapp-user-sort>` and
        :ref:`Delete <ch-webapp-user-main-delete>` options.
      - Server-side :ref:`Proxy Printing <ch-webapp-admin-proxyprinters>`
        (no local drivers needed).
      - :ref:`PDF Download <ch-webapp-user-main-pdf>` or
        :ref:`Email <ch-webapp-user-main-pdf-send>` of accumulated print jobs.
      -  Multi-page :ref:`Letterheads <ch-webapp-user-main-letterheads>`.
      - Option to :ref:`remove graphics <ch-webapp-user-main-print>` from PDF and proxy print output.
      - Innovative |RST_LINK_ECOPRINT| to reduce ink and toner cost.
      - |RST_LINK_DELEGATEDPRINT| for delegates to proxy print for other users and groups.
      - |RST_LINK_JOBTICKETPRINT| for voluminous proxy print jobs.
   - :ref:`Admin Web App <ch-webapp-admin>`
      - Comprehensive Web App to configure the |PRODUCT_NAME| environment.
- :ref:`SavaPage Financial <ch-financial>`
   - :ref:`Pay-per-Print <ch-webapp-admin-proxyprinter-edit>`
   - :ref:`Vouchers <ch-webapp-admin-vouchers>`
   - :ref:`Point-of-Sale Web App <ch-webapp-pos>`
   - :ref:`Online Payments <app-plugin-payment-gateway>` (credit cards, bank accounts).
- Tooling and Tuning
   - :ref:`Customizable Web Interface <ch-custom-webapp>`.
   - :ref:`Command-Line Interface <app-tools-savapage-cmd>` to server methods.
   - :ref:`Web Services API <app-tools-xmlrpc>`.
   - :ref:`Third Party Database support <ch-external-db>`.
- Third Party Integration
   - :ref:`LDAP <ch-webapp-admin-options-user-source-ldap>`
   - Single-Sign-On: :ref:`OAuth <app-plugin-oauth-client>`, `Moodle <https://moodle.org/plugins/block_savapage>`__.
   - :ref:`PaperCut <ch-webapp-admin-options-integration-papercut>` Print Management System.
- Internationalization
   - :ref:`Multi-language <ch-i18n>` support.
- Security   
   - :ref:`SSL <app-tools-ssl-key>` Encryption.
- Freedom and Privacy
   - :ref:`GDPR Compliant <ch-freepriv-gdpr>`.