Quocirca Reveals Move to Cloud Printing Strengthening

Quocirca Reveals Move to Cloud Printing Strengthening

According to Quocirca Director Louella Fernandes (pictured), print has been slower than other infrastructure on the journey to the cloud. However, she says this is changing.

Quocirca’s latest publication, Cloud Print Services Market Landscape Report 2021, has analysed the trends in cloud print adoption and how OEMs and independent software vendors are developing solutions to meet growing demand.

“Cloud print is the clear solution,” said Fernandes. “The pandemic has highlighted the benefits of being able to manage and secure distributed hardware more effectively. The potential for cost reduction compared with running print servers on-premise is considerable, and now there is additional pressure to manage a hybrid environment.”

The report found that, although moving print to the cloud has not been a priority until recently, adoption is accelerating as a result of the switch to hybrid working, making cloud service provision a key supplier selection factor for businesses.

Based on primary research carried out among 219 MPS users in the UK, US, France and Germany, key findings include:

• 43% expect all IT infrastructure to be cloud-based by the end of 2021.
• 39% have implemented a cloud print management platform and 37% plan to do so in the next twelve months.
• 72% will increase the use of cloud print by 2025.
• 45% say cloud print service provision is a key supplier selection factor.
• Organisations with fully outsourced MPS are less likely than those with a hybrid approach to be considering cloud print migration.

“This is the shift OEMs and ISVs have been waiting for,” Fernandes added. “Now is the moment for them to support customers with sophisticated and tailored cloud services. Both vendors and channel partners have a part to play in educating customers about the options available.”

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The growing focus on cloud print services is welcome news to OEMs and independent software vendors, who have developed innovative cloud-based solutions to support an enhanced user experience and workforce mobility. Security is a core focus, with solutions to support zero-trust environments and robust user access management also on the table.

Reporting and analytics are also getting the cloud treatment, as businesses demand more granular insight into the usage and performance of their print network – wherever users and devices are based.

72% of respondents expect to increase their use of cloud print management by 2025, with a further 5% expecting to switch entirely to a cloud-based service.

45% say that offering cloud print services is a key factor influencing their choice of managed print service partner. This should prompt focus from MPS providers on building up the technology and skills needed to proactively lead customers to the cloud.

Quocirca’s research also suggests that customers with fully outsourced MPS have not yet made the cloud transition; they are much more likely than those using hybrid MPS to be operating on-premise print. As a result, both customers and MPS providers are missing out on the financial and operational efficiency benefits that cloud print services deliver.  A cloud print service can be delivered at a lower cost to the consumer, while still offering good profitability for the provider – a win-win situation.

Louella Fernandes advises, “This is an important area of both opportunity and risk for incumbent suppliers: an opportunity to help customers make the switch, while also a risk that competitors will capitalise on inertia to offer attractive cloud-based alternatives. MPS providers should invest in their cloud offering, skills and consulting service and be proactive about migrating their current customer base to the cloud.”

The Quocirca Cloud Print Services market Landscape Report contains detailed recommendations for buyers and suppliers on how to successfully migrate print infrastructure to the cloud. It also provides in-depth analysis of offerings from major OEMs and ISVs.

A free executive summary is available for download from Quocirca.

Quocirca is a global market insight and research firm providing strategic market analysis and intelligence to print industry business and technology leaders. Quocirca specialises in analysing the convergence of print and digital technologies in the future workplace.

Since 2006, Quocirca has played an influential role in advising clients on major shifts in the market. Their consulting and research are at the forefront of the rapidly evolving print services and solutions market, trusted by clients who are seeking new strategies to address disruptive technologies. Quocirca offers a wealth of specialist knowledge across the connected print ecosystem. Their extensive research activities are backed up with rigorous analysis and a robust primary research program.

Related:

• Opportunities in the New Normal
• New Normal for Office Printing
• COVID-19: Accelerating Print Industry Transformation
• Quocirca Finds Home Workers are More Productive
• Quocirca Snapshot Survey Reveals Office Print Changes
• Researchers Analyse Coronavirus Impact on Office Print

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