On-Prem Printing vs. Cloud Printing

With the growth of digital technology, businesses often have to choose between on-prem printing and cloud printing. On-prem printing refers to printing documents using printers that are located within the organization's premises, while cloud printing involves printing documents through a cloud-based service.

What is On-Prem Printing?

On-prem printing has been the traditional method of printing for businesses; it involves having physical printers within the business premises, and employees printing documents directly from their devices. On-prem printing has been widely used by businesses because it provides a higher level of control over the printing process.

Advantages of On-Prem Printing

1. Security - With on-prem printing, businesses can keep their sensitive information secure. Since the printers are located within the organization's premises, there is less risk of unauthorized access to the documents.
2. Control - Businesses have complete control over the printing process. They can monitor and regulate the use of the printers, ensuring that they are being used efficiently.
3. Cost - On-prem printing can be cost-effective for businesses that do not have high-volume printing needs. The cost of purchasing printers and maintaining them is generally lower than the cost of using a cloud printing service.

Disadvantages of On-Prem Printing

1. Limited Mobility - On-prem printing restricts employees to printing only from devices connected to the organization's network. This means that employees cannot print documents remotely, which can be inconvenient and extremely limiting in today’s world of hybrid work.
2. Maintenance - Businesses have to take care of the printers and ensure that they are in good working condition. This includes replacing ink cartridges, fixing hardware problems, and upgrading the printers when necessary.

What is Cloud Printing?

Cloud printing has become increasingly as many businesses continue to move to remote and hybrid work. Cloud printing involves sending documents to a cloud-based service that processes the print request and sends the document to the printer.

Advantages of Cloud Printing

1. Mobility - Cloud printing allows employees to print documents from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This makes it easy for employees who work remotely or travel frequently.
2. Scalability - Cloud printing can easily be scaled up or down depending on the business's needs. Businesses can add or remove printers and adjust their printing volume as needed.

Disadvantages of Cloud Printing

1. Security - Cloud printing can be less secure than on-premise printing. Since the documents are stored on a third-party server, there is a risk of unauthorized access to the documents.
2. Dependence on the internet - Cloud printing is dependent on the internet. If there is an internet outage, employees may not be able to print documents, which can cause delays.

Which one is more suitable for your business?

Choosing between on-premise printing and cloud printing depends on the needs of the business. Businesses with high-volume printing needs may find that cloud printing is more cost-effective. On the other hand, businesses that handle sensitive information may prefer on-premise printing for its security. Businesses that have a mobile workforce may find cloud printing more convenient.

The ScrewDrivers^® Advantage

Does your organization have too many factors and complexities to consider when choosing the right printing solution? Do you employ a mix of on-prem and cloud-based printing? It may be time to look for a print management solution.

Optimized for the most complex IT environments, Tricerat's ScrewDrivers platform helps you print from any device, in any location, to any printer.

From healthcare and manufacturing to logistics and retail, ScrewDrivers is trusted by global brands around the world to manage the most sophisticated print workflows in Citrix, VMware, Microsoft, Azure, Serverless, Workstation, Cloud, and Hybrid end user computing environments.

ScrewDrivers provides a centralized dashboard for admins to manage users’ printers and permissions so you can remain in control of your organizations’ printing. This not only keeps your IT environment secure, but also leads to higher efficiency, and better business outcomes. Watch a demo of ScrewDrivers in action today to learn more.