Productivity

Have You Tried Microsoft Universal Print? Learn What It Can Do for You

August 15, 2023

In today's digital workplace, printing remains an essential function for just about all businesses. But keeping up with your print infrastructure can be a time-consuming task. One printer down can mean work comes to a standstill.

In today's digital workplace, printing remains an essential function for just about all businesses. But keeping up with your print infrastructure can be a time-consuming task. One printer down can mean work comes to a standstill. Another ongoing challenge is keeping up with printer drivers. If firmware updates are not done, vulnerabilities exist, and one unprotected printer can cause an entire network malware infection.

Microsoft has come up with a solution to streamline print management called Microsoft Universal Print. It offers a modern answer to age-old print problems. Here is what it can do for your organization.

What Can Microsoft Universal Print Do for You?

Microsoft Universal Print leverages the power of Microsoft 365 and Azure. It eliminates the need for complex on-premises print infrastructure. Here are some of the ways it can improve your document handling.

Simplifying Print Management. Microsoft Universal Print eliminates the need for on-premises print servers. Organizations can centrally manage their printing needs from the cloud, removing the need for complex print server configurations, driver installations, and print queue management. This results in significant time and cost savings.

Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365. A key advantage of Universal Print is its seamless integration with Microsoft 365. It works in tandem with Azure Active Directory to ensure a secure and authenticated printing experience for users. This integration allows users to print from any device, whether it is a Windows PC, Mac, or mobile device, with no need for complex setup or driver installations.

Flexibility and Scalability. Microsoft Universal Print supports both modern and legacy printers, allowing businesses to leverage their existing printer fleet. Whether it is a local printer or a network printer, Universal Print enables easy connectivity and management through the cloud. It also offers centralized control and monitoring of printers, making it effortless to scale up or down based on business needs.

Streamlined Printer Deployment. Deploying printers across an organization can be a time-consuming task. Microsoft Universal Print simplifies this process by providing a centralized portal for printer management. Administrators can easily add and configure printers, assign them to specific users or groups, and manage printer settings from a single interface. This eliminates the need for manual configuration on individual devices and ensures a consistent printing experience across the organization.

Enhanced Security and Compliance. Print security is a critical concern for businesses, especially in today's threat landscape. Microsoft Universal Print enhances security by leveraging Azure Active Directory for authentication and access control. It also supports secure print release, meaning that sensitive documents are only printed when the authorized user is physically present at the printer. Universal Print also integrates with Microsoft Endpoint Manager, giving organizations the ability to enforce security policies and manage print-related settings from a centralized location.

Insights and Analytics. Understanding print usage and optimizing print infrastructure is essential for efficient cost management. Microsoft Universal Print provides insights and analytics that help organizations gain visibility into print usage patterns, track printing costs, and identify opportunities for optimization. With detailed reporting and analytics, businesses can make informed decisions about print resource allocation and implement strategies to reduce printing costs.

Is Microsoft Universal Print for You?

Microsoft Universal Print offers a modern and efficient approach to print management. It streamlines the printing experience for organizations, eliminates the need for complex on-premises print infrastructure, and delivers important security benefits. Whether it is right for you will depend on your printing needs, how often you print, and your number of endpoints.

The team at Cyber One Solutions can help you understand the full capabilities of Microsoft Universal Print, including the costs versus the benefits. Contact us today to chat about your technology needs.