System and method for printer driver management in an enterprise network

A computer program product embodied on a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer program product configured to cause a processor to:

• test each requested printer driver at a printer driver test server using a window to test a current version and a new version in a controlled environment to determine whether the driver is compatible with at least one other driver in a set of drivers;
• and
• after printer driver testing is completed, collect files to build a deliverables folder and generate a Print Driver Update initialization file with the tested printer drivers, and, transmit, from the printer driver test server, the tested printer drivers for storage at a centralized printer driver update server for deployment on at least one server hosting a distributed file share, wherein the tested print drivers are provided with a later date and time stamp than those on the at least one server hosting the distributed file share;
• wherein the testing of each of the requested printer drivers being tested comprises:
• testing installation of the printer driver,
• confirming that all files required for installation of the printer driver have been captured,
• creating a test queue on a workstation in the controlled environment,
• generating a test print on a printer in the controlled environment,
• deploying the tested driver and associated file to the at least one server hosting the distributed file share, and
• downloading the tested driver and associated file to at least one print server, and
• the window identifies each of the requested printer drivers to test, the current version, and the new version.

A system comprising:

• a test server configured to:
• test each requested printer driver using a window to test a current version and a new version in a controlled environment, wherein the window identifies each of the requested printer drivers to test, the current version, and the new version, and
• after printer driver testing is completed, collect files to build a deliverables folder and generating a Print Driver Update initialization file with the tested printer drivers, and transmit the tested printer drivers for storage at a centralized printer driver update server for deployment on at least one server hosting a distributed file share, wherein the tested print drivers are provided with a later date and time stamp than those on the at least one server hosting the distributed file share;
• wherein the testing of each of the requested printer drivers being tested comprises:
• testing installation of the printer driver,
• confirming whether all files required for printer driver installation have been captured,
• creating a test queue on a workstation in the controlled environment, and
• generating a test print on a printer in the controlled environment;
• a plurality of print servers;
• a printer driver test component configured to test the requested printer driver on the test server and condition the printer driver for inclusion in the centralized printer driver update server;
• and
• a printer tools component configured to manage a deployment of the requested printer driver and an associated file to the plurality of print servers.