Cloud print management provides businesses a streamlined and serverless approach to handling enterprise printing operations. These types of cloud-based solutions offer unique advantages by liberating businesses from traditional on-site infrastructure.
Let’s explore cloud based print management and discover the key reasons why so many companies are transitioning to the cloud.
What Is Cloud Based Print Management?
Cloud print management takes local print infrastructure and places it into the cloud. This allows businesses to manage their print environment and operations remotely and securely. When done correctly, this can break business free from traditional models of on-premise infrastructure and give access and always-available functionality to all aspects of enterprise printing operations.
It’s worth noting that any cloud-based print management solution will always have an on-premise element. Some equipment needs to exist on-site to facilitate the coordination of print jobs between printer and cloud service. While a business's print server operations can transfer to the cloud, the printer cannot.
6 Benefits of Switching to Cloud Print Management Solutions
With 72% of organizations planning to increase their use of cloud printing between now and 2025, companies are making the switch to cloud print solutions faster than ever before. To help you better understand the value of managed print services, let’s explore the top six reasons businesses transition to cloud based print management.
1. Increased Reliability
One key benefit of transitioning to cloud based serverless printing is uptime and accessibility. With data centers spread across various locations, these cloud services often offer near-constant uptime.
This provides consistent printing capabilities that can help reduce common issues like printer downtime or driver conflicts. Moreover, cloud providers' redundancies and proactive maintenance offer optimized reliability relative to on-prem solutions.
2. Cost Savings
When businesses go serverless and eliminate print servers, they reduce the need for on-prem servers and related hardware — leading to cost savings in terms of equipment and upkeep. Additionally, many managed print service providers offer pay-as-you-go models, allowing organizations to scale services up or down based on current needs.
Lastly, with fewer on-site servers, businesses can expect reduced energy costs. Less equipment on-site means less power consumption; it’s that simple.
3. Reduced IT Burden
Cloud services simplify many traditional on-site IT operations. First, when it comes to deployment, managed cloud printing allows for easier deployment of printers and drivers across multiple locations.
Many cloud print service providers also offer remote troubleshooting, allowing them to address issues without being on-site. When it comes to updates, many cloud solutions offer auto-updates that streamline security and other types of patches.
4. Simplified Maintenance
One of the biggest benefits of transitioning to managed cloud based printing is that businesses can free themselves from burdensome behind-the-scenes maintenance of print servers. Admins can monitor, manage, and maintain printers and copiers from virtually any location.
Driver management is also centralized, reducing the complexities of maintaining multiple printer drivers. Moreover, many cloud service providers offer alerts for low toner, paper jams, and other issues with a proactive and predictive approach.
5. Advanced Security and Compliance
87% of surveyed business leaders believe cloud is more secure than an on-premise platform. Many managed print services offer programs that detect cyberattacks, prevent breaches, and protect connected devices and data. On-staff specialists ensure timely patch updates, password protection, and other security measures to give businesses the ultimate peace of mind.
When sending jobs, cloud print solutions hold print jobs in a secure queue and often require user authentication for access. With data transmitted using advanced encryption, these services are not only safer but make it easier to meet industry-specific compliance requirements like HIPAA for healthcare or GDPR for European countries.
6. Better Workplace Productivity
With less hardware to manage, improved scalability, and features like automatic updates, IT teams can focus on more important tasks. Moreover, with users able to print from any device and from any location, cloud print management enables better connectivity for hybrid and remote workforce models.
These services also streamline workflows with integrations for business applications that enhance document processing and printing. These managed services offer intuitive and easy-to-use interfaces and dashboards that employees can master without a steep learning curve.
Start the Transition Toward Cloud Based Print Management
Whether it’s enhanced security features or the simplicity of print workflows, cloud print management offers businesses unparalleled access to printing services without the burden of on-site infrastructure. While these benefits position cloud printing as a must-have service for any effective digital transformation strategy, business leaders still need to partner with the right managed print service. But if your team is looking for future-proof and scalable print solutions, the cloud is calling.
