Mobile computing reached its tipping point in 2011 when sales of smartphones and tablet devices surpassed sales of traditional PCs. Tablets and phones are less expensive and cumbersome that PCs and offer lightning quick connections on the go. These smart gadgets aren’t just useful for checking Instagram or the latest NBA scores anymore; they have evolved to boost productivity for an increasingly mobile workforce. Nearly 35 percent of the global workforce is mobile and their printing needs to be mobile, too.
In the last two years, mobile devices have become far more business-friendly to accommodate the demands of the growing mobile workforce. There are better applications and more accessible information thanks to cloud computing. Yet hurdles to mobile printing have remained, namely the issue of data security and support across multiple mobile operating systems.
At Pacific Office Automation, we know your business is unique, and your mobile printing solutions need to be tailored to meet your specific goals. We offer a variety of desktop apps that are easy to use and integrate into your existing network securely.
Here are several ways your company can integrate mobile printing:
- Mobile Printing Apps. Smaller offices with one or two devices can choose mobile printing apps that communicate directly with an easy to discover printer.
- Printer Barcodes. Users can send jobs via e-mail attachments to a server that instantly prints to a specific device. However, users must know the printer’s address. Lexmark invented an app for this issue allowing mobile phones to scan a barcode on a printer’s touchscreen for an immediate connection. This can be helpful for a large office with segmented networks and a fleet of printers.
- Pull-Printing. Lexmark also provides “pull-printing” which directs all mobile print jobs to one queue. Users can then release the print job from any printer by providing a username and password. This method provides superior data security because the person who submitted the job is the only one authorized to print it.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a mobile print strategy. The only certainty is that your business needs one to stay competitive. Contact Pacific Office Automation today to find out how we can help you chose the right strategy.