How to make mobile printing work for your business

print management

A 2015 IDC report highlighted the value of mobile printing for the modern workforce, with 75% of global respondents noting the business value of smart phone and tablet printing as similar to PC printing.

Mobile printing can deliver significant operational efficiencies but it can also expose an organisation to unauthorised access. This risk can be overcome by mobile print management solutions that deliver print freedom while managing security concerns.

There is no doubt that printing needs to keep up with the needs of the mobile workforce. However, security concerns are stopping some businesses from adopting it, despite the organisational efficiencies it can offer. These businesses are missing out on potential cost savings that can be delivered by a freer workforce that can print from anywhere.

A 2015 IDC report highlighted the value of mobile printing for the modern workforce, with 75% of global respondents noting the business value of smart phone and tablet printing as similar to PC printing, and a further 15% suggesting it was greater.*

Mobile print management software helps organisations overcome document and network security issues. By submitting jobs via mobile devices, employees or students can send files stored on their device or from cloud-based drives to the secure print queue. They then use a swipe card, like their employee or student ID, to authorise the printer to release their documents. This keeps enterprise networks and educational institutions protected from unauthorised access, with the added benefit that documents aren’t printed until someone is physically present to pick them up.

Mobile printing is also helping meet the print requirements of guests visiting businesses. For example, in organisations like hospitals and universities it is helping visiting doctors, lecturers, and guests print their required material upon arrival without causing headaches for IT security.

In these cases, it’s best to utilise a system for visitors who are not in the corporate directory. This delivers seamless registration of the guest identity, with self-service capabilities, and provides greater auditability, security and efficiency. This helps further protect the enterprise network from unsecured end points while providing registered access.

It’s important the MFP can automatically convert documents into suitable formats for mobile printing without the need to install third-party applications, while also delivering exceptional high quality documents. This ensures no additional cost is added to the overall mobile print solution.

* https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS25785715

Hyder Mohammed, Solutions Architect, Y Soft Australia