PRINT
IT
RESELLER.UK
CLOUD PRINTING
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As working practices evolve, the
underlying factor that will continue
to connect employees and business
partners will be the ability to access
the same information on a shared
network. Cloud technology marks
the transfer from physically owning
the storage hardware for your
digital data to storing that data on
the internet. Wherever you take an
internet-enabled device, you are now
able to access all of your data, as
well as your office device functions,
including the ability to print.
Printers boast a range of capabilities,
from scanning and copying to printing
and stapling. With the use of cloud
technology, you can now perform these
processes without needing physically to be
in the office. Imagine being able to print
documents from a hotel, an airport or a
train for your colleagues to pick up in the
office. Cloud printing virtually eliminates
the limitations and day-to-day complexities
of printing, and it all comes without the
need to install software.
The benefits of cloud printing:
n
Bypasses compatibility problems.
Your office might have different operating
systems, computers, tablets and phones
all connected to your server. It can be
a challenge to configure all devices to
all printers with the correct permissions
and access. However, printing via the
internet virtually removes the issue of
compatibility, and can save you valuable
time in your daily office tasks. This also
helps to future-proof your printer. Without
compatibility issues, the constant stream
of new technologies and the growing
tendency to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
will no longer render your expensive office
printers useless or inaccessible. Many
IT departments welcome cloud printing
services as it allows them to free up their
valuable, highly-skilled time trying to
connect devices to printers and set various
levels of permissions.
n
Saves money, time and resources.
Thanks to cloud-printing, you don’t need
to pre-empt needing a hard-copy of a
document by printing it right away. It
offers you the security of a reliable printing
system which you can access from any
device connected to the internet, giving you
the freedom to print only when needed.
n
Sends scanned documents straight
to email.
Not only can you access your
printer from the internet, but your printer
can access the functions of the internet
too. This is a dream come true for small
task delegation. Gone are the days of
scanning incongruities, compatibility issues,
making sure it saves your document in
the correct place and having to remember
the name of the file so that you can find
it afterwards. With cloud printing comes
cloud scanning, which allows you to either
save the document on your server or send
the copy directly to any email, boosting
business efficiency and worker productivity.
n
Shares printer access.
Whether you’re
in urgent need of a printer while out of
the office or have a visitor who requires
access to your printer, printing on the go
is still a major headache for people all
around the world. Yet, it shouldn’t be.
Cloud printing services allow you to share
access when and where it is needed, and
Dave McNally, product marketing director of Dell Imaging, EMEA, outlines the
business benefits of today’s cloud printing solutions
Cloud printing:
join the club
discontinue accessibility at any stage. Cloud
printing is a convenient, flexible and secure
contemporary solution, bringing simplicity
to the running of a modern business.
Don’t forget security:
n
Know your provider.
When using
cloud services, you are allowing a trusted
intermediary to store your data on their
server, which is online and accessible to
anyone with authorisation. It may be a
frightening thought for some – putting
your important information in the hands
of someone over the internet – and this
is a legitimate concern. It’s important to
know who you’re trusting, so take time to
research solution providers to ensure you
connect with one that meets your needs.
n
Stay secure and keep your data
safe.
Internet-capable printers can pose a
security risk. With poor password security,
there is the possibility that a third party
could gain access to a document left
accidentally on a scanner. It is important
always to apply the same security
procedure for every web-connected device
in your business. Integrating complex
passwords and changing them regularly
will save you from avoidable security
breaches. Long-term, hackers continue to
pose a serious threat to businesses and
securing sensitive data should be one of
the most important aspects of your overall
IT strategy.
With this in mind, the benefits offered
by cloud printing are too great to ignore,
and early adopters of this technology are
usually the ones who benefit the most.
Consider it as insurance for your printer’s
longevity and your business needs. Not
only will it save you time and money, but it
will make life easier for your IT team, your
employees and your clients.
Cloud
printing
virtually
eliminates the
limitations
and day-
to-day
complexities
of printing.
Dave McNally, product marketing
director, Dell Imaging EMEA
