The printing industry is changing. And, in this new decade we can expect growth and some exciting printing industry trends. With the rising popularity of cloud services, it should not be surprising that one of those trends is cloud printing. 

What is cloud printing?

Cloud printing is a service that allows users to print from any device on the network. It connects digital devices such as laptops and smartphones with printer stations through internet connectivity. While traditional printing, which involves cables, may have software driver issues, devices connectivity problems and compatibility issues. With cloud printing this is eliminated as there is no need for printer drivers. The printer can receive the digital information via the cloud. This means users can experience uninterrupted, reliable digital printing across the network from any location.

What are the benefits of cloud printing?

Convenience: Because cloud printing allows users to print from any location and at any time, it gives users the flexibility of sending documents to print at their company’s office, in another building and location, or across the globe. The flexibility and convenience to print anywhere makes it possible for employees to print from their portable devices wherever they are. This makes cloud printing a wonderful technology for an increasingly mobile workforce. 

Lower printing costs: cloud printing systems record what has been printed, including who requested the printing. Companies can view this data, which makes it easy to see where unnecessary documents are being printed. Because each user needs to authenticate a print job before it’s released, individual employees can be held accountable if found to be abusing their printing privileges.. The knowledge of this alone can lower a company’s printing costs due to a reduction of unnecessary printing from staff. The accessible data can also help a company determine where it can potentially save on printing costs. Limitations can be set to ensure the printing stays on budget.

A cloud printing system enables you to control page counts allocated to individual employees, manage print volume or specific users, devices, and printers. This allows you to lower administrative expenses linked to constant print monitoring.

Software updates: When you have a cloud printing service, you don’t have to worry about software updates as they happen automatically and in real time. This means you have more time to focus on more important things pertaining to your business.

Reduce carbon footprint: cloud printing can also help organisations go green. Printing over the cloud reduces waste and emissions from transporting new printer-compatible devices.

Security: The cloud also allows companies to store data securely as well as print it securely as both actions require personalised user logins. No unauthorised users can access your data as it is encrypted during the transmission.

So there you have it. If your business is not yet making use of a cloud printing service, moving to this exciting printing trend can save you time and money.