Print.IT Reseller - issue 81

PRINTITRESELLER.UK 43 VOX POP continued... Jamie McClunie: ” For Microsoft customers who’ve been held back from cloud migration by Windows Print Server, Universal Print is a fantastic option. They can enjoy all the benefits of cloud print infrastructure, as well as Microsoft’s Universal Print driver that’s now part of Windows 10 and is able to be deployed to other devices via MS Intune. “Universal Print offers users a solid print infrastructure and print enablement. But just like Windows Print Server, Microsoft isn’t offering print management. So, when customers need secure print release, Find-Me printing, policies, quotas, charging or comprehensive reporting, PaperCut is still the best print management solution, as we always have been on Windows Print Server. “What puts us head and shoulders above other management products for Universal Print is what every business wants; ease of use. Our connector integration replaces the default Microsoft connector software component (the piece on your local network that handles communication between printers and the cloud), by building that functionality right into PaperCut MF. “With the official launch of Universal Print, every PaperCut MF licence includes our Universal Print connector at no extra cost. And from our upcoming version PaperCut MF 21.0, the connector will be included out of the box, without needing an extra download. By using PaperCut to manage their Universal Print environment, customers don’t have to install, manage or maintain any extra software applications or network black boxes. PaperCut MF does it all, in one place, in the easy, powerful interface customers know and love.” Christoph Hammer: “We provide a special version of our ezeep Hub called Microsoft Universal Print Connector by ezeep. The Microsoft Universal Print Connector by ezeep allows organisations to use Microsoft Universal Print immediately with all of their existing printers and removes the need for a local print server, saving organisations up to $2000/year for each print server. “Denying printers to communicate directly with the internet and using the Microsoft Universal Print Connector by ezeep as in-between instead increases security. Data leaking outside the organisation or unintended external access to printers due to misconfiguration, is an often overlooked security risk that ezeep mitigates effectively. “Any Microsoft Universal Print Connector by ezeep not only supports Microsoft Universal Print but can also be upgraded to a full-featured ezeep Hub. So whenever there is need for additional management, or mobile, Mac or Chrome printing support, the hardware is already in place.” Hugo Marqvorsen: “As a Microsoft Azure-hosted cloud service, Printix utilises the Microsoft Graph API to provision deep and seamless integration with Universal Print, without the need to add connectors, hardware, or complexity. “Printix integrates with Universal Print to deliver cloud print management, secure print and mobile print from any device to any printer. Organisations running Universal Print can extend the capabilities with Printix, supporting all current printers and operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Chromebook, IOS and Android. “Features include: Secure Print Release. Use Printix App for secure print release of Universal Print jobs. Printix App is available as a web app that runs in a web browser and as a native app for Android and iOS/iPadOS phones and tablets. If Printix Go is installed on the an on-premise print server provides administrators other control capabilities beyond those provided by Microsoft Universal Print in its initial release and it may be vital that those features are available to them. There are already mature solutions for attaching devices to cloud-based print paths and Microsoft Universal Print is a welcome addition to that portfolio.” James Pittick, Partner Channel Director, Canon UK: “Digital transformation is as high on the agenda for businesses as it has ever been, so the desire to migrate to more cloud-based solutions is continuing to grow in popularity and printing is no exception. “Ultimately, deciding whether to migrate to a cloud-native print infrastructure depends on the needs of the customer. Whilst some businesses are looking to transition to an entirely cloud print infrastructure, others will choose to remain on-premise or look to employ a hybrid model. Microsoft Universal Print can therefore help customers who are looking for greater autonomy in their cloud-based solution. “Going forward, businesses should work closely with their customers to find the best solutions to fit their needs. Whether that is on-premise, cloud or a mix of the two – Microsoft Universal Print is another tool that can help businesses to get this mix right. “Within our own technology portfolio for print management, we are already seeing a shift from server based uniFLOW installations to uniFLOW Online – as customers look to reduce the number of servers they purchase and manage or reduce overall infrastructure costs.” PrintIT Reseller: How can organisations that wish to utilise Universal Print within their environment benefit from the native support built into your offering? Eric McCann Adam Bishop Whilst some businesses are looking to transition to an entirely cloud print infrastructure, others will choose to remain on- premise or look to employ a hybrid model