Month: April 2022

Let’s face it, traditional on-premises print servers have been a pain since
the beginning of managing a print infrastructure. Updating print drivers on multiple print servers, running multiple servers, typically one for each location, also running secure print tools, scanning tools, and a service providers data collection agent often each on their own virtual server takes a significant amount of IT maintenance time, not to mention managing print driver connection errors for users, driver conflicts, as well as the expense of the software licence costs for each server related to the print infrastructure. IT management’s eyes light up when they understand that this can all be done in the cloud with virtually no maintenance. 

The compelling event to move forward on this project that we have seen is a client’s plan to move their complete IT infrastructure to the cloud, along with requirements to ensure there are no on-premises servers at their office locations, including the ones related to the print infrastructure. This has left many IT teams scratching their heads. Scouring the web for solutions that often look promising, only to find out that they won’t work in the cloud and can’t run without an instance on-premises or can’t provide the full functionality for secure printing they are accustomed to. Many have done demo after demo and run proof of concept projects ending in disappointment. Our SmartPrint print infrastructure technical experts can solve this problem, and it is coming up as a project more often. The objective to get to 100% cloud for all servers in your business including print, is achievable.

Here are some of the benefits that come with moving to a cloud print infrastructure:

• Significant cost reduction with no VM or physical servers to license or manage; accomplished with cloud SaaS (Software as A Service) based solutions
• Supporting sustainability with carbon footprint reduction
• Cloud print application software automatically updates with no impact or delay for users
• Simplify with no need to worry about driver updates 
• Let the print infrastructure experts with MPS knowledge manage it for you

A few months ago, one of our clients in the retail vertical reached out for help because they had a project to move their entire infrastructure to the cloud and they were stumped with what to do for the print infrastructure. They wanted cloud print tools to replace all print servers and a cloud tool to enable secure printing. They also informed us that we needed a new approach to monitoring their fleet because our data collection agent was running on one of their virtual servers, and all on-premises servers had to go. Their preference was a SaaS model. Our technical team went to work to solve the problem and were able to architect and test a light cloud-based SaaS solution with an app on the print hardware and an agent on the user’s PC, everything else happened in the cloud. We were also able to use web tools to enable monitoring equipment and we’re seeing demand for this approach continuing to grow. One of our software partners recently shared with me that a serverless print software video they put up on YouTube in 2015 was their most popular video link last quarter. Clearly, this is a popular plan.

My team helps you make the best decisions on moving your print infrastructure to the cloud, and we set it up and manage it for you. If you are in this situation we can help by quickly understanding your goals and cloud infrastructure plan, and then recommending the best tools to accomplish your goals. If you are already 100% cloud but still struggling with print we can also help.

If you want to solve the cloud print infrastructure problem, you can reach out to schedule a consultation. Also, be sure to subscribe to our blog for more related information.

Without central control of your print fleet, security settings are extremely difficult to manage, and entry points for cybercrime are more easily overlooked. It becomes even more complex supporting work from home employees and integrating equipment to workflow automation systems.  Your IT team could be focused on configuration settings and authentication rather than working on other valuable IT projects or support. Encryption and authentication can be accomplished universally with an integrated automated security management tool. We’ve had great success with HP JetAdvantage Security Manager, ask one of our experts to share best practices in this area. 

Working from home (WFH) has been a positive transition for more than 50% of employees but is still up for debate in a lot of corporate
boardrooms with many businesses looking to review their remote working position. Last week Elon Musk mandated that all Tesla employees must now report back to the office permanently. Making changes to employee working practices and mandating a requirement to return to the office for some, or all of the work week may not be a simple decision and can have implications for staff retention.

IDC’s research has shown that most businesses fail to integrate print and document security into the IT security plan. Printer and MFP network endpoints are definitely security risks, along with every other device that is connected to the network. Businesses need to build out an enterprise-wide approach to protecting the print infrastructure. Remote work has further complicated print security with employees connecting to cloud applications and their use of business documents at home. Through this pandemic, with the WFH employees far outnumbering the office workers, the direction and focus of cyber activity has aligned its sights in a new direction. Cyber data breaches are on the uprise and the attacks are not going to slow down.

WFH employees accessing printed and digitally stored document related to the firms or client intellectual property, HR information, customer contact and billing data, internally classified financial documents etc., put an exclamation mark on the need for the IT Security teams need to develop a new plan and protocol to support the hybrid work model. There is further complexity for certain verticals with stringent document compliance requirements.

Here are some things to think about:

1. Cyber training for your employees
2. Configure and update device firmware
3. Use secure remote print security software
4. Create a policy and process for sharing sensitive documents
5. Contact an expert to help

Without central control of your print fleet, security settings are extremely difficult to manage, and entry points for cybercrime are more easily overlooked. It becomes even more complex supporting work from home employees and integrating equipment to workflow automation systems.  Your IT team could be focused on configuration settings and authentication rather than working on other valuable IT projects or support. Encryption and authentication can be accomplished universally with an integrated automated security management tool. We’ve had great success with HP JetAdvantage Security Manager, ask one of our experts to share best practices in this area. 

While getting your team back to the office it’s likely a good time to evaluate, update and simplify your office print 
and print infrastructure management with a Flat Monthly Fee approach to MPS (managed print services).

Leading MPS providers have simple and creative programs that can enable your business to have a completely
hands-off approach to office print and print infrastructure management. As compared with current MPS programs
that bill by the page for toner and service, a Flat Monthly Fee program can take MPS to the next level. 

Here’s what’s included in a Flat Monthly Fee MPS program:

• All the hardware you need with the right copiers and printers placed in the ideal location
• All the software you need i.e. secure printing software, print security software, print management and monitoring software enabling pro-active supplies and service management, even the opportunity to include automated workflow software for each department
• Pro-active service response and supplies management with a  guaranteed SLA
• All of the monochrome and colour pages your business needs and the page volumes are adjustable as your business changes, just like your mobile phone plan
• On-going print fleet consulting services with deep dive annual reviews to look for productivity and cost savings supporting continuous improvement
• Professional print infrastructure management to keep everything running and up to date ie. Print driver and firmware updates, print software maintenance and updates, and proactive support
• Truly, one monthly bill that includes everything with the custom reporting your business requires

At SmartPrint, we have the SmartPrint 360 program that many of our clients enjoy, and it includes all the details listed above. Our growing list of clients utilizing the SmartPrint 360 program have provided some quality feedback on the benefits they have realized. Given that all aspects are managed for them they see significant value with time savings in the IT, finance, and administration departments and with an always-up print fleet, their users have never been happier. Keep in mind that this is not a one-size-fits-all type of program. Each 360 program is customized to the specific clients’ requirements. Businesses of all sizes and industries have realized positive benefits of Flat Monthly Fee programs.

Reach out today for a free on-site assessment with a SmartPrint MPS Consultant to see if your current state has room for improvement.

Sometimes what looks like savings can turn into a hassle. If you are running aftermarket supplies in your print devices, reach out to see how we can help to convert you to OEM. We typically find that we can help our clients make the change to OEM without impacting the total cost of ownership and the monthly operational cost to run the print environment. If you are currently running OEM supplies and are thinking about trying aftermarket supplies to try and save some money, there may be a better way to save! Reach out to talk to one of our MPS experts.

HP OEM supplies provide the confidence you can rely on for everyday printing. HP is committed to the environment by using recycled materials in new cartridges and offering a free recycling program from one of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world. Supplies also meet eco-label emission criteria to help maintain the air quality. Trust is also provided from the packaging to the chips to use supplies that protect your printer and your data. Lastly, peace of mind is provided in knowing that you are using HP OEM supplies.

I’m always mindful of how what we do in our lives affects our planet, and although I could never have imagined that we would experience the tragedies of a global pandemic in our lifetime it’s good that there are some areas of impact that have been positive; like the effect it has had on sustainability with reduced emissions worldwide. We expect this to continue long term with so many leading companies embracing hybrid work models for their teams. I’m also intrigued that the pandemic has increased our propensity to be more sustainable. Organic food product sales have dramatically increased, people are mindful about purchasing ethically/sustainably produced products,  and large companies are leading the way with changes to office space that supports hybrid work and sustainability. The transition to hybrid work is resulting in ongoing use of less fuel and energy for commuting while enabling a better work/life balance. The new focus that many have on the work/life balance has allowed our society to slow down a little. Many have found new hobbies, are spending more time outdoors and are experiencing new vacation adventures closer to home. The transition to hybrid work models is here to stay and this will have a lasting effect on reduced emissions that will positively support sustainability. 

Three years ago, prior to the pandemic, Microsoft had designed a new Canadian headquarters downtown Toronto. It has been built with a plan to optimize the space for a hybrid workforce with flex space for employees, partners and customers in mind. Eric Wand, head of IT at Microsoft Canada was tasked with implementing technology to support the team. There are dual large screens in each meeting room to enable content on one with a view of the meeting attendees on the other, state-of-the-art microphones, speakers and AI-powered cameras are in place to enable a similar meeting experience regardless of where the user is working. Many leading technology companies including Cisco are on a similar path, and they have productivity and sustainability in mind as they shift to their hybrid plans.

It seems that work is no longer a place to go to, but it is something we do and it’s clear that people want work to fit into their lives while having more control on the balance. Employers are more focused on productivity, efficiency and getting the work done on time and less focused on the hour of the day that the work is done.

My prediction is that companies will follow the lead of their peers and ensure that their employees have the tools they need to be successful with a hybrid model. Technology is playing a vital role in the hybrid transition. 

Here are some technology changes and investments we have seen companies complete in support of the transition:

• Collaboration platforms supporting inclusive of in-office and remote, supporting balanced verbal and chat communication to enable involvement from different communication styles (extrovert vs. introvert)
• Digitization applications are enabling flexibility to close the gap on proximity with mobile digital capture and workflow software, so that regardless of where the worker is they can complete their tasks with the automation and processing of departmental workflow with integrated approval processes, audit trail and repository connection, keeping the business flowing in a hybrid model
• Thoughtfulness about when we need to collaborate live in the office and when we can save the expense of energy and fuel for travel and collaborate virtually while saving commute time supporting life balance and sustainability
• Simplifying by standardizing a balanced deployment of print/scan devices for in-office access to printing with quick easy cloud connection for employees, partners, and customers (guests)

The SmartPrint team has a passion to help create a future that is more sustainable by improving the way that we operate our business and by helping our clients implement technology and software solutions that help to achieve a net zero future. I’m excited to see more successful sustainable office transition projects completed. The future of our planet depends on it.

Sometimes what looks like savings can turn into a hassle. If you are running aftermarket supplies in your print devices, reach out to see how we can help to convert you to OEM. We typically find that we can help our clients make the change to OEM without impacting the total cost of ownership and the monthly operational cost to run the print environment. If you are currently running OEM supplies and are thinking about trying aftermarket supplies to try and save some money, there may be a better way to save! Reach out to talk to one of our MPS experts.

HP OEM supplies provide the confidence you can rely on for everyday printing. HP is committed to the environment by using recycled materials in new cartridges and offering a free recycling program from one of the 100 most sustainable companies in the world. Supplies also meet eco-label emission criteria to help maintain the air quality. Trust is also provided from the packaging to the chips to use supplies that protect your printer and your data. Lastly, peace of mind is provided in knowing that you are using HP OEM supplies.