HP Printers - Device types for SAP printing

Most new printers are SAP-capable and use the generic ZHPLJCM1 device type for SAP Release version 4.5A and higher unless otherwise noted (see the printer-specific table below).

^{1 See SAP Note 39031Print/fax bitmap graphics from SAPscript.}

When a new printer is defined in the SAP environment, a device type must be specified to enable direct printing from the SAP applications to the printer.

In the SAP System, a distinction is made between "printer driver" and "device type." The device type consists of all the attributes defined for an output device. For correct access, these must be made known in the SAP System. One of these attributes is the printer driver to be used by SAPscript (SAP System forms processor) for the particular printer.

There are five SAPscript printer drivers for the following:

In most cases, the SAP System already provides the appropriate device type for the printer type for the printer model that you want to use. When you define an output device, choose the name of the device type that was defined in the SAP System for your printer model, such as Post2 for a PostScript printer.

The last driver is known as the "standard driver." It cannot provide absolutely precise positioning on the paper and does not support proportional fonts. Printer drivers are relevant for forms output with SAPscript. For the output of ABAP lists, special printer drivers are only used as of SAP Release 4.5A. They are anchored in the C kernel and are developed and maintained exclusively by SAP.

In the spool environment, device types refer not only to printers but also to other output devices, for example, fax machines. Device types support specific printers or printer models. Device type definitions are stored completely in tables and can be individually adapted, modified or enhanced. The list of device types is continually expanded.

Generally, device types with the “Z” prefix are custom device types developed by users or print vendors for specific purposes. These device types are developed and fully tested in accordance with SAP development and testing guidelines.

In most cases, they are the same device types available through SAP. HP provides the “Z” prefix versions of these device types as an optional way for users to access the device types.

^{1 See SAP Note 39031Print/fax bitmap graphics from SAPscript.}

^{2 For more information, go to the SAP Note & Knowledge Base, and search for SAP Notes 1103826Printer is missing in the Device Type Selection Wizard, and 1036961Device type selection wizard in transaction SPAD.}

Most printers can also be controlled using a generic or printer-independent format, such as PostScript (Post2).

If a specific device type is not available, and generic device types cannot be used, users can create a custom device type or edit a copy of an existing SAP device type using the Spool Administrator (SPAD). Only administrators with specialist knowledge of the SAP Spool System and printer driver code should do this. For detailed information about device types, go to the SAP Service Marketplace and search for "Device Types for SAP Output Devices (Detailed Information)".

Generally, device types with the “Z” prefix are custom device types developed by users or print vendors for specific purposes. These device types are developed and fully tested in accordance with SAP development and testing guidelines. In most cases, they are the same device types available through SAP. HP provides the “Z” prefix versions of these device types as an optional way for users to access the device types.

Users can hardcode a default feature to a specific media type, which means every time the media type is selected when using this device type, it will print based on the new default. For example, if the printer initialization for Letter was set to the default input tray 4, every time letter was selected, it would print only from tray 4.

Users can add a Print Control and embed it in each output file. In addition, they can add a custom media type to the device type, so the user can select, for example, LetterTray4 to pull Letter-size media from Tray 4.

For more information, go to the SAP Portal:

While the device type consists of all the attributes defined for an output device, such as control commands for font selection, page size, character set selection, character set used, etc., bar code and check printing are not included.

Barcode and Check printing solutions may require a DIMM module such as a barcode or MICR DIMM or additional fonts or symbols such as E13B, CMC7, OCR-A and OCR-B. For barcode or check printing from the SAP System with HP LaserJet printers, please contact the third-party partner for the specific solution.

For more information, go to the SAP Note & Knowledge Base and search for the following notes:

For more information, go to the SAP Portal:

This is because SAP runs on many platforms and operating systems, and its applications produce documents in proprietary formats, SAP has developed its own output management system to shield users from server operating system printing intricacies, enable direct printing from the applications to a variety of output devices, and ensure seamless output in all environments.

This system is part of the SAP applications running on a server, and includes generic SAP-developed printer drivers that format output data streams being sent to a printer. Because these drivers are generic, they need the device type files to supply them with specific configuration information about the various printing devices to which the data streams may be sent.

This is true regardless of the server operating system the SAP applications are running on (e.g. Windows, UNIX, Linux, etc.). Without the proper device type files, the SAP drivers will not know the personalities of the various printing devices, and direct printing from the SAP server will not be enabled.

SAP provides development and testing of device types for HP printers to ensure the support of SAP standard printing functionality. For problems with any device type, contact SAP customer support at http://www.support.sap.com.

For information on how to set up and install SAP device types with HP printers, go to How to Install an SAP Device Type.