Cloud printing is a trend that will continue to grow so we asked some of our members for their expert insights on how cloud printing will change the future of print.
Mike Scrutton, Director of Print Technology & Strategy, Adobe
Cloud printing will free us from the constraints of having to worry about “how” I get something printed. It will mean that we won’t have to know the technicalities in getting my stuff to print – what settings, application or network do I need – and instead present options to make it happen. If I can see my device, and I’m looking at a document on my device, then if I can see a printer I should be able to print my document on that printer without having to worry about the “how”. I’ll need to have permission, but assuming I have that it should be easy.
Greg Shipmon, Director, Channel Development, B2B Marketing, Brother International Corporation
The digitizing of paper-based processes have accelerated, opening up endless opportunities to better leverage smart MFPs for print and document management. The initiation of automated workflow cloud technology is driving digital transformation, including for enterprise printing; cloud printing offers a simple, intuitive print experience for employees that does not require end-users to modify their devices. It also enhances employee mobility by connecting their numerous digital devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, with printer stations. And on the back end, organizations no longer need on-premises print servers, saving IT administrators the time they used to spend supporting those systems. In short, cloud printing offers a sophisticated — and secure — print experience, which is a prerequisite for modern businesses.
Michael St. Laurent, Print Software Chief Architect and Distinguished Technologist, HP Inc.
While Cloud printing has been evolving for a number of years, it is now seeing an opportunity to become pervasive and widely accessible. With home and business workspaces blurring and the workforce becoming increasingly mobile, the need for a dynamic print experience with security technology incorporated is more relevant than ever. Cloud printing will meet these needs by providing a level of remote manageability needed by businesses to support their employees, while also offering the ease of use needed for broad user adoption.
Dilinur Wushour, Manager, Software Applications Development, Kyocera Document Solutions
Cloud printing eliminates the need for an on-premises infrastructure. It enables IT administrators to share printers across their organization, regardless of where the end users are located. It also adds key functionality such as security groups for printer access, location-based printer discovery, and a comprehensive administrator experience. Cloud printing will be an effective way to support the printing needs of the hybrid workplace by providing remote users with a secure way to submit print jobs either to home office printers or to any office location. It will provide a centralized approach to print management to better control costs, and reduce IT support complexity.
Eric McCann, Manager, Mobile Solutions Marketing, Lexmark
Microsoft Windows data indicated a drop in printing volume at the start of the worldwide pandemic and sustained for several months. Printing volume gradually recovered and is now continuing the upward trend we saw prior to COVID-19. Printing did not stop during the pandemic, but we can’t see in our data where people are printing. We believe printing shifted from at-the-office to other locations – home, field offices, etc. This new trend of printing in more flexible environments will likely define customer behavior in the post-COVID world. Printing will continue with organizations adapting to more flexible, more remote, and hybrid workplaces.
Kris Iverson, Principal Development Manager, Microsoft
Organizations are rapidly moving infrastructure to the cloud to reduce on-premises costs, migrate to zero-trust networks, and better facilitate remote and hybrid work patterns. For example, many customers are adopting solutions like Windows Virtual Desktop to provide a secure remote work solution for remote workers. Connecting printers to the cloud is a natural step with this trend. Cloud printing offers a new business opportunity for both hardware and software vendors that may spur new product sales while helping customers realize the benefits of moving to the cloud.
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