Biggest Benefits of Moving Your Print Infrastructure to the Cloud

Moving your print infrastructure to the cloud can offer several benefits, from improved security for network print environments all the way to simplified management and improved flexibility. In this blog, we will be taking a closer look at some of the key advantages of moving to a cloud-based print infrastructure, and the enhanced security it can provide.

Moving Your Print Infrastructure to the Cloud

Some top benefits of moving your print infrastructure to the cloud include the following:

Cloud-Based Printing Benefits

• Cost Savings. Cloud-based print solutions often eliminate the need for on-premises print servers and reduce hardware and maintenance costs. You can scale your printing infrastructure as needed, avoiding overprovisioning and reducing operational expenses.
• Flexibility and Scalability. Cloud printing solutions provide flexibility, allowing organisations to adapt to changing business needs quickly. As your company grows, you can easily scale up your print infrastructure without major capital investments.
• Remote Printing. Cloud-based printing enables users to print from anywhere, making it convenient for remote or mobile workers. This flexibility can improve productivity and reduce the need for physical presence in the office.
• Simplified Management. Cloud print management platforms often offer centralised control and administration. This can streamline the management of print queues, permissions, and policies, making it easier to enforce security measures.
• Improved User Experience. Cloud-based print services often come with user-friendly interfaces and mobile printing options, enhancing the overall user experience. This can lead to greater user satisfaction and productivity.

Enhanced Security Benefits

• Access Control. Cloud print solutions provide robust access control mechanisms. Admins can define who can print, what they can print and where they can print.
• Authentication. Cloud printing often integrates with modern authentication methods, such as single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Active Directory integration, which adds an extra layer of security.
• Data Encryption. Data transmitted between devices and the cloud print service is usually encrypted, reducing the risk of interception or data breaches.
• Compliance and Auditing. Cloud print solutions can help organisations meet compliance requirements by providing detailed auditing and reporting capabilities to track print activities.
• Firmware and Software Updates. Cloud-based print management systems can automatically apply firmware and software updates to printers and print servers, ensuring that devices are up to date with the latest security patches.

Additional Benefits

• Disaster Recovery. Cloud-based print services often include data backup and disaster recovery mechanisms, ensuring that critical print infrastructure and data are safe in the event of hardware failures or disasters.
• Reduced Physical Infrastructure. With on-premises print infrastructure, there are physical servers and storage devices that can be vulnerable to physical threats or environmental issues. Moving to the cloud eliminates these risks.
• Vendor Expertise. Cloud service providers invest heavily in security, giving you the benefit of their expertise in safeguarding data and infrastructure. They can provide a level of security that is challenging to achieve with on-premises solutions for many organisations.
• Compliance. Cloud print services can help businesses adhere to industry-specific compliance requirements, as many providers offer solutions designed with these regulations in mind.

It’s important to note that while cloud-based print solutions can enhance security, organisations still need to implement proper security policies, user education and best practices to ensure the security of their print environment. Additionally, they should choose reputable cloud service providers with strong security practices and compliance certifications.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive cloud print infrastructure solution, speak to Printsol about our PIAS (Print Infrastructure as a Service) and allow our team of experts to secure your print environment and reduce infrastructure costs.