Pull Printing is a printing feature where a user pulls the print job

Print job

In computing, a print job is a file or set of files that has been submitted to be printed.Jobs are typically identified by a unique number, and are assigned to a particular destination, usually a printer...

 to an afterward chosen printer. It is also referred to as 'FollowMe' printing, which is a trademark

Trademark

A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...

 from Ringdale

Ringdale

Ringdale is a limited company operating in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Network Technology PLC, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange....

.

Depending on the product and implementation

Implementation

Implementation is the realization of an application, or execution of a plan, idea, model, design, specification, standard, algorithm, or policy.-Computer Science:...

, some of the possible advantages and disadvantages of Pull Printing are:

Advantages

• Flexibility: The user can print first and choose the printer afterward (while standing next to it).
• Costs and environment: Reduces uncollected paper.
• Security: The user must authenticate (e.g. pincode, smartcard). Some printers already have a similar feature by default.
• Accounting: Although this is not really a Pull Printing feature, centralized printing solutions often come with these additional features (e.g. reporting, charging, monitoring
  System Monitoring
  A system monitor in systems engineering is a process within a distributed system for collecting and storing state data.- Overview :The configuration for the system monitor takes two forms:# configuration data for the monitor application itself, and...
  
  ). Some vendors offer these features separately and even for free.

Disadvantages

• Speed: The user has to wait for the job to be copied and processed from the moment the print job
  Print job
  In computing, a print job is a file or set of files that has been submitted to be printed.Jobs are typically identified by a unique number, and are assigned to a particular destination, usually a printer...
  
   is pulled.
• Costs: Extra licensing
  License
  The verb license or grant licence means to give permission. The noun license or licence refers to that permission as well as to the document recording that permission.A license may be granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement...
  
   and hardware
  Hardware
  Hardware is a general term for equipment such as keys, locks, hinges, latches, handles, wire, chains, plumbing supplies, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. Household hardware is typically sold in hardware stores....
  
  .

Software solutions

There are a few software solutions that implement the notion of pull printing, including, but not limited to:

• Equitrac
  Equitrac
  Equitrac is a global software company that provides document cost management and output management solutions for printers, copiers and multifunction devices. Its target markets are professional services firms, general office and enterprise plus hospitality and higher education...
  
   - Follow-You Printing® with Secure Document Release supports user mobility while helping to reduce waste and protect personal information or client confidentiality.
• HP Access Control Printing Solutions - Allow users to dynamically print to the network and “pull” jobs to any solution-enabled HP device.
• Jetmobile SecureJet Enterprise - An authentication and pull printing solution for printers and MFP/copiers from most multiple vendors including HP, Canon and Ricoh.
• PageScope MyPrint Manager - Pull printing designed for Konica Minolta MFPs (Multifunction printer
  Multifunction printer
  An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
  
  s).
• Pharos Secure Release Here - A pull printing solution offered by Pharos Systems International that works on all manufacturers' devices.
• Ringdale FollowMe - Device independent, meaning not tied to any hardware vendor.
• SafeCom SmartPrint - An authentication and pull printing solution for printers and MFP/copiers from most multiple vendors including HP, Canon, Samsung, Lexmark, Xerox, Sharp, Konica Minolta and Ricoh.
• UniFLOW Output Manager
  UniFLOW Output Manager
  The uniFLOW Output Manager, commonly referred to as uniflow or mom is an integrated software solution that allows an intelligent control and analysis of all print and copying processes. It is especially useful for monitoring and tracking what is printed, by whom and at what cost...
  
   - Pull printing especially designed for Canon MFPs (Multifunction printer
  Multifunction printer
  An MFP , multifunctional, all-in-one , or Multifunction Device , is an office machine which incorporates the functionality of multiple devices in one, so as to have a smaller footprint in a home or small business setting , or to provide centralized document...
  
  s).
• YSoft SafeQ - Intelligent cross-vendor, device independent, print management solution for enterprise customers, SME companies and education.