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We all know that NPAPI will be completely removed from Chrome in a few months.

What would be an alternative to the Jzebra/QZ Java plugin that makes raw printing (sending raw ESC/P commands) to POS printers?

Is there a Chrome API (HTML5 and Javascript) that will be able to replace the communication between the browser and the locally installed POS printers in USB or Ethernet?

taxilian
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anestis
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3 Answers3

18

Is there a Chrome API (HTML5 and Javascript) that will be able to replace the communication between the browser and the locally installed POS printers in USB or Ethernet?

Update: A pure HTML5 solution exists for USB devices, but examples are currently hard to find and browser adoption has been slow:

  • WebUSB USB devices only, select browsers.

In regards to HTML5 and JavaScript, since the removal of NPAPI, the solution tends to involve WebSocket to localhost, or cloud-enabled printers.

This HTTP/WebSockets design is used by:

In regards to Point-Of-Sale specific printing, I have been unable to locate a ready solution that meets these needs (pure HTML5 and JavaScript, widely adopted), so either a Desktop-installed middle-ware or a server-side middle-ware is currently the way to achieve what you are describing.

Full disclaimer, we're the authors of QZ Tray.

tresf
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    Thanks so much for this list, I've been looking for a reliable solution to print labels from a web client, going to give QZ Tray a shot. – Carl Vitullo Sep 17 '16 at 15:11
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You could try PrintNode which has a simple desktop client and json API. It's really quick and has lots of libs: https://github.com/PrintNode/

user1912424
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I've had good luck with Epson's ePOS-Print JavaScript SDK. It is Epson specific and does require a network interface card that supports ePOS (UB-E04/R04).

Stenerson
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    This technically answers the question because it is both HTML5 and JavaScript. I'm up-voting but also adding it to the listing above. – tresf Dec 21 '16 at 05:53