Cloud printing is on the rise, and it’s easy to see why. From a value of $1.381 billion in 2022, it’s expected to skyrocket to an astounding $4,368 billion by 2032. This piece is here to shed light on why this service is a game-changer for small businesses, and give you the lowdown on the top 10 cloud printing providers to help you make the best choice.
So, what’s cloud printing? In simple terms, it’s a handy service that lets you print from just about any device that’s network-connected. Be it tablets, laptops, smartphones, or office computers, your printing capabilities are always within reach. This is a big plus for shared workspaces and hybrid office setups, as it’s easy to adjust your print capacity as needed. Plus, cloud printing can save businesses a lot of money on infrastructure and hardware costs.
Let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane to see how cloud printing has evolved over time. We can trace its origins back to around the year 2000 when network print servers allowed printers to be shared on a local network. Fast forward to 2010, Google launched Google Cloud Print, a powerful print management tool that turned heads. However, in 2020, Google discontinued this service, shaking up the cloud printing landscape.
What makes a cloud printing service top-notch? Here’s a quick rundown:
- Security: Look for encryption to protect both outgoing and incoming data. Also, the service should be committed to maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Scalability: A good service should be able to grow with your business, allowing you to add more printers as needed.
- Compatibility: The service should work with a wide range of devices and file formats, as well as both wired and wireless networks.
Before you settle on a cloud printing service, remember to consider the specific legal print management requirements of your industry. This is a crucial factor in your decision-making process.
After Google Cloud Print was discontinued, many businesses found themselves in a bind, looking for alternatives. A good Google Cloud Print substitute should offer mobile printing capabilities, an easy setup process, and other beneficial features that align with your business needs.
Cloud printing isn’t just for office computers and laptops; it can work wonders for mobile devices too. Businesses can boost client satisfaction by providing on-demand services and promoting a paperless environment. Plus, managing everything from a single interface simplifies the process and increases efficiency.
To help you choose the best cloud printing service, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 providers:
- Papercut Mobility Print: Supports a wide variety of devices and can handle a large number of users.
- Samsung Mobile Print: A free app that lets you print documents, web pages, and photos from your mobile device.
- Xerox Mobile Print: A high-quality alternative to Google Cloud Print, especially suitable for businesses using Chromebook.
- Microsoft Universal Print: A Microsoft 365 cloud printing option with high print quality and features like document conversion.
- Canon PIXMA Cloud Link: Allows direct access to files from different locations for maximum ease and reliability.
- Dell Mobile Print: Promises quick printouts in as little as 10 seconds.
- Fuji Xerox Print Utility: A free Google Play app offering basic functions like print and scan.
- Konica Minolta Mobile Print: A popular Google Cloud Print alternative with a simple interface.
- Oki Mobile Print: A reliable and scalable tool compatible with Android and iOS devices.
- Lexmark Mobile Printing: Uses QR code for finding printers for maximum ease of use and print quality.
Cloud printing can do wonders for small businesses. Employees can print important documents from anywhere, managers can control printing from one location, and it can save costs by eliminating the need for dedicated software and servers. Plus, it’s environmentally friendly as it reduces paper use and waste.
When choosing a cloud print service, consider its compatibility with your existing IT infrastructure, scalability, feature offerings, and security measures.
Finally, cloud printing can greatly enhance print management. It gives businesses real-time visibility of their printing activities, allowing them to monitor ink, toner, and paper consumption. Moreover, integrating mobile printing with print management can boost operational efficiency.
