Important Points

Usage Precautions
  • What happens when the PC is in standby or in sleep state.
    Printer information collection is not executed when the PC on which a DS Agent is installed is in standby or in sleep state at the timing of the collection set schedule. The collection starts when the PC returns from the standby or sleep state.
    * During standby and sleep state, the service is stopped.

  • Operation when the PC is shut down (power off).
    Printer information collection is not performed when the PC on which a DS Agent is installed is shut down. In this case, it will be executed at the next scheduled collection time.

  • About reconfiguring a DS Agent when using a substitute printer.

    • If the IP address does not change.
      No need to reconfigure the DS Agent.

    • If the IP address changes.
      It is necessary to change the printer to be managed by the DS Agent.
      Click [Edit] in [Services] tab - [Printer] tab - [Parameter settings] to display the "Edit printer list". Do the change on the "Edit Printer List" screen.

    • If the serial number changes.
      No DS Agent configuration changes are required. (However, make sure the IP address has not changed).
      Please contact the Smart Charge Center if the serial number changes.

    • When the printer is replaced.

    1. Before and after replacing the printer, run [Collect Printer Information Now (Smart Charge)] in the DS Agent to collect the latest print information before and after the replacement.

    2. An information gathering balloon is displayed.

    3. A confirmation of the collection results is displayed.

    4. A balloon indicating the end of the information collection is displayed.
      If the transmission fails, a balloon like the one on the right is displayed. In this case, check the settings.

FAQ

No.

Question

Answer

1

Is it possible to register IP addresses of different segments in the DS Agent?

Yes, it is possible.
If the PC with the DS Agent and the printer can communicate (a “ping” goes through), information can be collected from the DS Agent. Just in case, please check the following.

  1. Confirm that communication such as ping communication between the DS Agent PC and the printer is possible.

  2. Confirm SNMP (port 161) communication between the DS Agent PC and the printer is possible.

2

Is it possible to register IP addresses of different printers in the DS Agent?

Multiple units can be registered. (Evaluated up to maximum 500 units registered)

3

Are environments where the printer is configured with DHCP or IPv6 supported?

No, both DS Agent and ES Agent are not supported in an IPv6 environment. However, the ES Agent does support DHCP.

4

Is it okay to print while the DS Agent is collecting information (scheduled time)?

Yes, there is no problem with printing while information is being collected.

5

Can the DS Agent monitor and send a notification when approaching or reaching the base print count on the Smart Charge plan?

No, it is not possible.
The DS Agent is only an information gathering function software.

6

Is it okay to install a DS Agent on multiple PCs?

Yes, no problem.
If the IP address of the printers collecting information is the same, there is no problem even if a DS Agent is installed on multiple PCs.

Collection timing and contents may vary depending on the collection time, but since the smart charge system is linked with the contract serial number, there is no problem.

  • Communication such as “ping” must be possible between the installation PC and the target printer.

  • The installation PC and the target printer must be able to communicate via SNMP.

7

Does the PC where the DS Agent is installed need to be on 24/7?

No, it does not have to be a on all the time every day.
If the power of the PC is ON at the collection time set in the schedule, the information collection will start.
We recommend setting a collection schedule time where the power of the PC is usually on.

8

If the printer is off at the information collection time (time set in the schedule), is any information collected?

The DS Agent will work and collect information, but because the printer is off, it will send the data as “unconnected” information.

9

Can the DS Agent be accessed externally?

No, it is not possible.
The DS Agent is a software that only has a function to send collected information such as the number of prints and the remaining amount of consumables to the Epson server.

10

If an error occurs when running a downloaded DS Agent installer.

You may be running the exe file while it is still in the downloaded zip file.
To install, unzip the downloaded file and execute the .exe file in the folder generated by the extraction.

11

What to do if the access is controlled by a security software? Please consider the exception registration file.

Try registering the DS Agent as exception software and check again.
<Files to be registered>
C:\Program Files\EPSON\Device Status Agent\ [DSAgent.exe] and [DSAgentUpdater.exe]

12

If the printer's IP address is changed, should the DS Agent settings be changed as well?

Yes, it is necessary.
If the IP address of the printer is changed, change the IP address of the printer registered in the printer list of the DS Agent as well.
If it is not changed, the print information cannot be collected and sent. The printer list can be changed by using the following procedure.
Right-click the DS Agent icon in the task tray (notification area) and select [Settings] to start the DS Agent.
From the "Service" tab - "Printer" tab, select "Edit" under "Parameter Settings" to open [Edit Printer List] and change the IP address in the printer list.

13

If the DS Agent icon is not visible.

Check the setting screen on the following path.
Local Disc C:\Program Files\EPSON\Device Status Agent\ [DSAgentConfiguration.exe]
Make a note of the configuration information and set that information when reinstalling the DS Agent.
It may also be hidden in the Windows task tray.

14

If the DSA icon remains gray when the PC starts and does not get activated.(It is possible to start manually.)

  • Another startup program conflicts with the DS Agent.
    In [Computer Management] > [Services and Applications] > [Services] > [DeviceStatusAgent], change the [Startup] item from [Automatic] to ⇒ [Automatic (Delayed Start)].

  • If the "Device Status Agent" service cannot be started due to security reasons.
    Consult with the system administrator and register the "Device Status Agent" service as an exception in the security software such as antivirus.

15

If multiple "Collect printer information now" messages are displayed when right-clicking the DSA icon on the taskbar.

The IP address may have been registered incorrectly in the printer list. Right-click the DS Agent icon, select > [Settings] > [Services] tab and delete unnecessary registrations in [Service Settings].

16

How to delete an IP address registered in the printer list of the DS Agent?

Procedure to delete an IP address registered in the printer list of the DS Agent.

  1. Right-click anywhere in the list (row) to be deleted.

  2. [X Delete] will be displayed, so select it.

  3. Confirm that it has been removed from the list.

  4. Make sure you have entered the correct IP address and confirm it is saved in the printer list.

* To delete several items at once, you can select and delete multiple items by clicking them while holding down the [ctrl] key or [Shift] key.
* If you just leave the IP address blank ([Backspace] or [Delete]) and save, an error will appear indicating that the IP address is invalid. Enter the correct IP address and save.

17

If the DS Agent does not collect printer information.

(The number of copies and the remaining amount of consumables are not uploaded to the Server.)
The PC on which the DS Agent is installed cannot communicate with the printer. Please take the following actions.

  1. Check or reset the printer IP address.

  2. If the IP is obtained automatically, change the setting to a fixed IP address.

(As a result of collecting information now, "Failed" will be displayed in a popup on the taskbar. Information cannot be uploaded to the DS Server. The Web service connection test fails. )

  • If the proxy server settings are "wrong" or "not set".
    Right-click the DS Agent icon > [Settings] > [Agent] tab then enter the correct information in the [Proxy server] setting items.
    * Check with the system administrator if you are unsure. Or check with a "netsh winhttp show proxy" command from the command prompt.
    * If it is an automatic configuration script, it may be OK to enter only the address of the proxy server.

  • If the ports required for the DS Agent to function are not open.
    Consult with the system administrator and have the 4121 port opened.

18

Is it possible to automatically read the data when the PC on which the DS Agent is installed and the printer are connected with a USB cable?

There are models that can be used as DS Agent products, but they are not compatible with the Smart Charge system.
A network connection is necessary.

19

Does the PC with the DS Agent installed need to be logged in?

No, no need to login.
A PC installed with the Smart Charge's DS Agent collects printer print information as long as it is running.
The PC including the active agent does not need to be logged in after booting.

20

How to confirm that the monitoring information has been successfully sent?

If both below points 1. and 2. are behaving as described, the monitoring information has been sent normally.
Right-click the DS Agent icon, and click [Collect printer information now (Smart Charge)].

  1. If the following status is displayed on the collection result confirmation screen, information collection from the printer to the PC is OK.
    Status category: OK (or Warning).
    Number of Mono/Color Prints: Contains a number.

  2. After clicking [Continue] on the collection result confirmation screen, if "Completed at xx:xx" is displayed on the taskbar, it is OK to send information from PC to server.

21

Does the DS Agent collect personal information?

No, the DS Agent does not collect personally identifiable information.

22

Is it possible to send information from multiple network-connected printers or multifunction devices via one remote terminal?

No, it is not possible.
A remote terminal has to be connected to a printer or MFP via a one-to-one USB connection and can send only information from the connected machine.

23

Is it possible to connect multiple printers or MFPs to a remote terminal via a USB hub?

No, it is not possible.
A remote terminal has to be connected to a printer or MFP via a one-to-one USB connection and can send only information from the machine connected.

24

Is it possible to connect a network cable to the LAN port of the remote terminal and use it?

No, the LAN port of the remote terminal cannot be used.

25

Can the remote terminal be disconnected, then connect the printer to a PC, and print?

There are no restrictions that would prohibit printing in such case, but there is a risk of forgetting to reconnect to the remote terminal, so this usage is not included in the support.

26

Can the remote terminal be accessed externally?

No, it is not possible.

27

Is it possible to change the settings of the remote terminal?

No, it is not possible.
Configuration changes on the remote terminal are not required.

28

Is it possible to check the operation information of the remote terminal?

If all three LEDs are lit, it is working properly.
There is no need to check the detailed operation status further.

29

What do the LEDs on the remote terminal mean?

If all three LEDs are lit, it is working properly.
If any other lighting/blinking pattern is displayed, please contact the Smart Charge Center.

30

What are the functions and roles of the remote terminals?

The remote terminal plays the role of relaying data such as monitoring data, which the ES Agent normally sends via a LAN/WiFi, to a dedicated mobile phone network.

31

Does the remote terminal collect personal information?

No, the remote terminal does not collect personal information.
It simply relays data such as monitoring data to a dedicated mobile phone network.

32

What mobile phone network is the remote terminal using?

For security reasons, we cannot provide information about the mobile phone network used by the remote terminal.

33

Is it possible to use the remote terminal and the network of printers and MFPs at the same time?

Since the remote terminal is connected via USB, it does not affect the network settings of printers and MFPs, so it can be used together.

34

Is a printer or MFP network required when using a remote terminal?

No, since the remote terminal is connected via USB, it is not dependent of the network settings of the printers and MFPs.
To use only the remote terminal (perform monitoring reading via the remote terminal), network settings are not required.
To use the functions of printers and MFPs via a network, such as printing from a PC connected to the network, you need to configure the network settings correctly.

35

Will the remote terminal run on a USB bus power?

No, it will not work. An AC adapter connection is required.

36

Can I restore the printer or MFP to its factory default state?

Yes, it is not a problem.
However, to use the remote terminal again, it is necessary to re-set it correctly according to the service manual.

37

Can I use DS Agent, ES Agent, and remote terminals together?

No, it is not possible.
Please select one monitoring method.