Mobile Printing Technology from HP
Posted on Mon, Aug 29, 2011 @ 07:41 AM
As mobility and access transform business, when, where and how people work has also shifted.
According to a November 2009 Forrester report, Understanding Information Worker Smartphone Usage:
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More than 20 percent information workers spend at least 3 hours per day using smartphone devices in 2009.
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34 percent of IT executives surveyed in 2009 are somewhat or very concerned with the security issues of using smartphones for business.
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34 percent of the global workforce is predicted to be mobile information workers by 2012.
Cloud computing and virtualization have brought accessibility to a company’s network and data, but one of the most common tasks bringing down a worker’s mobility — and productivity — is having to use a laptop or other connected network device to print.
The solution: Mobile print technology
HP and Research In Motion (RIM) have partnered to provide HP ePrint Enterprise, a mobile printing and imaging experience for on-the-go business professionals.
HP ePrint Enterprise includes an “email-to-print” feature that works on virtually any Interned-enabled device, including a variety of smartphones. With it, you can:
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Print from a smartphone to a company’s networked printers.
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Print from a smartphone to any of HP’s public ePrint locations in coffee shops, hotels, airports and more.
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Print from any Internet-enabled device through a corporate email account and network printers assigned that corporate email address.
Note: HP’s ePrint Enterprise is available for the following mobile devices and mobile browsers: BlackBerry, iPhone/iPad/iOS, Android, HP webOS.
How it works
The following infographic from HP outlines the process of many ePrint solutions, but specifically shows how a BlackBerry would connect with an HP ePrint Enterprise Server and selected enterprise printer.
Business results: Increased productivity and flexibility
Allowing your employees to print where, when and how they need is a convenience that saves time and increases productivity. Thanks to integrated GPS search to find nearby printers, users can always find a printer near them.
When weighing the benefits and risks, security is a top concern. For businesses that want to use a mobile printing service, look for a provider with in-network (behind the firewall) installation, security management systems, and sharing capabilities.
Conclusion
Solutions for mobile printing have arrived, rounding out a business’s ability to be completely mobile. Lessons learned from cloud computing and virtualization (both in the technologies’ rapid acceptance within in the industry, and the technologies’ logistical and functional advancements) have made options for mobile printing convenient, secure and enterprise-friendly. Approach your company’s mobile printing strategy by understanding all available options and capabilities, and how they can fit within your business environment.
Do you see mobile printing as a part of your organization’s IT and business strategy? What experiences have you had so far?
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John Patterson is Group President, Imaging & Printing Group at MCPc, and directs the sales and delivery of all print management solutions. He has more than 20 years of experience in the imaging and printing industry. Connect with John on LinkedIn.
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