Is Printing Dead?

It seems for years we’ve heard that office printing is dead.  People have also said that faxing is dead, but that is a topic for another day.

Now that hybrid work and work-from-home are common, does anyone print in the office anymore? The answer is yes. Not everyone is printing, but those who do, still need it. However, according to the research, in 2023, the average American Office Worker still uses 10K sheets of paper per year adding up to 12.1 trillion sheets of paper per year in the US. That’s a lot of trees.

So, having said that why are people still printing? There are several reasons in different industries.

Healthcare

In the healthcare sector, the importance of physical records, prescriptions, and patient documentation cannot be overstated. Printed documents provide a tangible, reliable source of information that is essential for patient care. Additionally, strict security and compliance regulations necessitate the use of printed documents to ensure patient confidentiality and data integrity.

Legal Industry

The legal industry heavily relies on printed contracts, legal documents, and court submissions. Hard copies play a critical role in ensuring authenticity and legal validity, providing a physical record that can be trusted and verified. Printed documents also serve as a crucial backup in legal proceedings, where the integrity of information is paramount.

Manufacturing and Logistics

The manufacturing and logistics industries depend on printed labels, shipping documents, and manuals to ensure operational efficiency. Printed materials provide clear, precise instructions and information necessary for the smooth functioning of these sectors. From inventory management to product tracking, the role of printing is integral to maintaining productivity and accuracy.

Finance and Banking

In finance and banking, printed statements, checks, and regulatory documents are vital. These physical copies offer a level of security and trust that digital documents often cannot match. Customers and institutions alike rely on printed materials for accurate record-keeping, compliance, and fraud prevention.

Challenges Faced by Traditional Printing Methods

While printing remains important, traditional methods come with significant challenges. High costs and resource waste, including paper and ink, are common issues. Downtime and inefficiencies due to printer malfunctions can disrupt operations. Additionally, managing a large volume of printed materials can be difficult, leading to oversight and disorganization. Environmental concerns also arise from the excessive use of paper and other materials.

The question is, how can a cloud-based Print Management Solution help you with this?

Easy-to-Administer Central Management System

With InfnityCloud, you have an easy-to-administer and use central management system. It can tie into Entra ID (Azure AD), OKTA, Google Workspace, and OneLogin to easily connect to all your users.

Direct IP Printing

The printers and drivers are all managed centrally, meaning no more going from user to user to update. With our Direct IP printing in the office, no more print servers or print jobs going to the WAN.

SecurePrint

SecurePrint allows your users to print to one single queue from anywhere on any device and retrieve their print jobs when they go up to the printer. This ensures the privacy of documents and that people retrieve their print jobs and don’t waste paper.

Comprehensive Statistics and Reporting

Comprehensive statistics and reporting (including costing) are collected so you can see where your print jobs are coming from and which printers are used most, or least. With InfintyCloud’s user and printer defaults and quota system, you can limit color printing. This, along with SecurePrint can help cut costs.

Future-Proofing with Digital Printing Options

InfinityCloud not only optimizes traditional office printing but also future-proofs your operations by supporting digital printing options. With the ability to print to digital destinations via PF360 Capture, SecureMail, and fax, InfinityCloud ensures that your organization can seamlessly transition to paperless workflows. Additionally, the MFD Connector App enhances functionality by allowing users to scan documents directly to cloud storage solutions such as OneDrive, SharePoint, and Google Drive. This integration simplifies document management, increases accessibility, and promotes a more sustainable and efficient work environment.

Despite the rise of digital alternatives, office printing remains a vital component for many industries. Cloud-based print management solutions like InfinityCloud offer a way to modernize traditional printing practices, providing efficiency, security, and sustainability. As we continue to navigate the digital age, InfinityCloud stands out as a powerful tool to enhance and streamline printing operations. Explore InfinityCloud for your printing needs and stay informed about the evolving landscape of print management.