The world we live in is constantly evolving, and as technology changes, so do our expectations. With more and more Software As a Service (SaaS) at our fingerprints, we’re expecting everything from an improved customer experience and more efficient processes that bring us significant savings. 

So why is our printing infrastructure often left behind in the Stone Age? 

It turns out that it doesn’t have to be. Some of the greatest advancements that we enjoy come from cloud-enabled technology. And it just so happens that cloud-based technology can be applied to our printers, too. 

This article will go over the main motivations for migrating to the cloud and what it means for your printing management.

Why migrate to the cloud? 7 important factors to consider

The allure of cloud services will depend on individual needs, but there will likely be some commonly shared factors. Which of the following motivations do you think would be most relevant to your business?

1. Money

Cost-cutting is an enticing motivational factor for any business decision, and the switch to cloud services is no different. Although it may not be the sole driving factor behind migration, the cloud can cut costs effectively because it may enable businesses to cancel expensive and obsolete software subscriptions or driver hosting. 

Plus, with cloud services, there is no need for an upfront investment for hardware or licensing. Companies also save on preparation methods—unlike relying on your server where you need to purchase backups in the case of system failure, you can count on the greater cloud to protect you. 

2. Speed 

As we progress further and further along in this age of digital transformation, we all have increasingly less patience for slow speeds. This seems to be true no matter the task—it’s hard to believe that we were ever okay with a webpage taking a minute to load (like in the age of dial-up internet).

Speed is one of the main benefits of cloud computing. Cloud-hosted services have the advantage of running on massive secure data centers that are always benefitting from the latest and greatest hardware updates. 

3. Innovation 

If you work in technology, then you know that the last thing that any company wants to be is left behind. In fact, we live in a world where being up-to-date on trends isn’t enough. Ideally, your company will be a few steps ahead of industry trends at all times. We don’t have a crystal ball, but we would hazard a guess that the cloud is the way to go if you want to keep ahead of trends. 

4. Scalability

With every company comes the possibility of growth. And while that’s something that every organisation certainly wishes for, one of the realities of business is that what comes up can also go down. Recognising the possibility of business fluctuation will take you much further than living in denial. 

Fortunately, cloud-based services allow for easy scalability. Not only are you able to get more storage space, servers, and licenses at the touch of a button, but you also have the option of only paying for what you use. 

5. Security

Security is always top of mind, now more than ever. After all, it seems like we’re often hearing news stories about major companies experiencing data security breaches and data loss. Nobody wants it to happen to them—we’re not sure what’s worse, the PR or the disaster recovery itself.

There are many different ways to keep a business’s operations secure, but keeping up with the necessary security patches required for every application can be an overwhelming task. Companies dodge a lot of risk by choosing a cloud service that offers real-time reporting and security features suitable for even a Zero-Trust environment. 

With cloud services, your security tasks are always properly prioritized, and your reaction times are top-notch. 

6. Availability 

Availability is one of the most significant advantages of cloud computing. In a nutshell, cloud services are available all day, any day, from anywhere. This means that, in most circumstances, employees choose to work from any locale and any device (smartphone, tablet, computer, etc.) 

7. Integration

Cloud computing comes with well-defined APIs and is, in general, easy to integrate. APIs allow for simple, flexible, and transferable connections that can latch on to just about any application or platform within your business. APIs are easy to use and help with interoperability—one of the most important parts of modernising IT systems.

Print: an overlooked application

While most companies are aiming for a complete migration to the cloud, there is one element that they tend to overlook: print servers. However, did you know that there are some great options for cloud-based print management solutions? And no, we’re not just talking about Google cloud print (which was discontinued in early 2021—RIP). 

Although it’s often overlooked, moving your print to the cloud is a strategic decision.  Not only does print represent a considerable cost for many organisations, but it has also been known to clog up the IT help desk, with a great number of service requests estimated to be due to printing. 

Easily move your print to the cloud with HCP 

HCP, which stands for Hybrid Cloud Platform, is the print cloud infrastructure service offered by EveryonePrint. Easy to install and use, HCP makes it possible for companies to either outsource the management of their printing solutions or simplify the way they handle it internally. 

Cloud-empowering technology means that employees can process print jobs from any computer in the office (HCP also allows for mobile printing).  

The solution enables organizations to migrate their print infrastructure to the cloud without compromising security and, at the same time, simplifying the print infrastructure. Here you can see an example of how Intracostal Realty used HCP to simplify their infrastructure management and protect their data from the strong elements of their hurricane-prone office location in North Carolina. 

HCP also means that you can trade in your old-fashioned physical drivers for a full-featured single driver that can handle any print job. Just imagine the reduction in complaints to the help desk—your IT team is sure to thank you. 

Psst: if you’re thinking it’s time to take the leap, check out this article on the five questions you should ask before moving your print infrastructure to the cloud.