CLOUD PRINT
Customers also want pricing models that are transparent and cost-effective, allowing them to pay for what they use and improved tracking and reporting on environmental impact. “ ”
security, ROI and performance are the main concerns of customers, so information has to be provided to alleviate these concerns,” he says. “Security white papers, the ability to demonstrate the performance and a clear ROI are all needed when selling cloud print solutions.” Richard at Canon adds that a top priority for SMEs is access, which resellers need to be aware of. “Employees need to be confident they can access documents when and where they need them,” he says. “Additionally, as SMEs look to grow, the need for flexibility and security will only become more urgent. Adopting a cloud-based ecosystem can create momentum towards a future-proofed business, but there are also concerns about the risks involved in migrating data to the cloud. “Here, the responsibility falls not only on resellers to recommend easily navigated solutions, but also on businesses to practice responsible management of their cloud ecosystem. This should be an ongoing conversation between resellers and their customers, regularly monitoring cloud solutions for updates and training employees to use software safely and securely. “As a result, it’s crucial to invest in a trusted print provider, as it is not always a case of one size fits all. When needed, an SME’s multifunction printer can become single access, providing an extra layer of protection between the data and the rest of the network.” Future Looking to the future, the consensus is that demand for cloud printing will continue to grow. “As SMEs look to drive their digital transformations forward and modernise their workflows, the demand for cloud printing will only continue to increase, offering more flexible and secure working arrangements in an ever-evolving business,” says Richard. Graham adds that currently customers have
a range of demands. “Such as for remote printing capabilities with the ability to print documents from anywhere, and from mobile devices and tablets,” he says. “Also customers are looking for solutions that can adapt to their changing needs without requiring significant infrastructure changes, and the ability to scale up or down easily, cloud printing solutions that help reduce paper waste and lower carbon footprint, meeting customers’ environmental commitments and solutions that need minimal training.” In terms of security, Graham says customers are seeking robust security features, including encryption, access controls and compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR, as well as zero trust modelling – providing extra security for organisations that require it. “Customers also want pricing models that are transparent and cost-effective, allowing them to pay for what they use and improved tracking and reporting on environmental impact – eco-friendly solutions data analytics – who’s printing/scanning what, where and when,” he says. “It’s likely that these demands will continue to evolve, with the need for hybrid print environments that combine cloud and on- premises printing for greater flexibility and control.” Arjan adds that cloud printing will continue to adapt with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, which will influence customer expectations. Phillip says that many customers are looking for cloud print solutions that will support their hybrid working needs, enabling employees to remain productive wherever they are working. “With inflation continuing to rise, there is also a focus on ROI and using cloud print to reduce unnecessary print costs and wastage. Both these trends are likely to continue for at least the next 12-18 months as SMEs look to stay flexible and agile to meet the evolution of their markets.”
Graham Foxwell product marketing lead
kyoceradocument solutions.co.uk
printinthechannel.co.uk
21
Powered by FlippingBook