Technology Archives - Page 2 of 4

While printing and cloud services appear to star in opposing roles along the enterprise infrastructure spectrum, they are beginning to edge closer together in a move that allows businesses to realize more efficiency and simplified management.

Printing can’t be entirely virtualized, since the whole point is to take virtual information and translate it into a physical form, i.e., a piece of paper.

However, cloud printing is a tool that helps business drastically simplify processes across the diverse hardscape of a widely distributed computer network. It does this by allowing employees to print — effortlessly — from any device and any location, even mobile.

And it’s this very specific capability that’s the catalyst responsible for the upward trend in the use of cloud printing services in 2020.

The Differences Between Print Technologies

But what is cloud printing and how does it differ from more traditional printing styles such as wired and wireless?

Wired printers connect a series of computers and printers over a local area network (LAN). This type of system is best for computers that are running the same operating system. However, it requires the installation of individual drivers for each printer and device, which must be carefully updated for optimal function and security.

Wi-Fi enabled printers, on the other hand, connect to the network via an internal Wi-Fi so devices can connect directly — and wirelessly — with printers.

However, the sending device must be close enough to the printer to pick up the Wi-Fi signal and each device must still have the appropriate printer driver installed in order to work properly. Again, drivers must be properly installed and updated regularly to avoid disruption of service.

With cloud printing services, the need for individual devices to be equipped with printer drivers is completely removed. Printing can be performed seamlessly across any mix of hardware and accessed effortlessly from all devices, regardless of location.

Additionally, cloud printing can overcome the complexity of a variety of hardware or a mix of operating systems to keep user experience fluid — and positive.

Benefits of Cloud Printing Services

Cloud infrastructure continues to grow, and experts predict the global cloud print market will expand to $628 million by the year 2025.

Much of this impetus is due to the vast array of benefits cloud printing services in a managed print environment bring to the workplace.

1. Cost Savings

Instead of the high cost of buying and maintaining on-premise servers and print devices, cloud printing allows for print environments to be paid for via subscription — meaning owners pay for print capacity rather than infrastructure.

Ultimately, this assists business in reducing up-front capital spending on hardware and infrastructure while concurrently removing the burden — and associated costs — of procurement.

Savings are also realized as cloud printing allows for the reduction of in-house IT service professionals — or for the current IT staff to focus on more mission-critical initiatives.

2. Simplified IT Management

As mentioned, removing the need for installation — and constant updating — of printer drivers eliminates an enormous workload from the shoulders of your in-house IT team, allowing them to concentrate on more vital priorities.

3. Tighter Security

With the elimination of print servers, cloud printing reduces physical access points for increased security.

Additionally, cloud printing employs high-level authentication technology to provide additional security in the cloud and, with the application of a universal printer driver solution reduces the need for constant updates and patches on individual equipment.

4. Better UX

The combination of predictive maintenance services powered by AI, and auto replenishment features for supplies, lowers staff frustration and ensures the highest level of uptime. With problems detected and managed before they impact users, the user experience — and accompanying productivity — gets a big boost.

Leverage the Power of Cloud Printing for Your Business

Smart businesses are taking a closer look at the advantages of cloud printing to gain access to the superior scalability, cost savings, and other benefits that can help them maintain a competitive edge in today’s variable markets.

In a bid to reduce the complexity and cost of keeping up with changes in technology, more companies are opting to move their printing to the cloud for a better experience, heightened productivity, and to solve some of the management and maintenance headaches seen with more traditional print technologies.

Are you ready to see how cloud printing services can help you manage your print environment for greater security, control, and savings? Contact a PointManagement MPS expert today!

Grocery stores that want to protect employees — and customers — from exposure during a health crisis will want to capitalize on the option to provide curbside delivery.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is changing shopping habits and, as social norms around the crisis evolve, consumers will continue to adjust their behaviors, seeking the most convenient ways to comply with social distancing protocols.

Importantly, these shopping behaviors and a new emphasis on convenience are likely to persist beyond the crisis’ resolution. To take advantage of this trend, grocery stores would be well-served by a move to curbside pickup.

How to Implement a Curbside Pickup Service

It’s important to understand the way the curbside pickup service flow operates before diving into adding the service to your repertoire of customer conveniences. A typical flow looks like this:

Customers order their items by shopping online through a store-branded application
A store employee downloads the customer’s list and physically shops for the items, scanning them into a tote.
The employee prints a barcode label and places it on the tote and continues pulling items until the order is filled.
The order is placed on a shelf for curbside delivery and the receipt is sent through the app to the customer. It can also be printed upon request.
The customer arrives at the store at a predetermined time and an employee puts the order in their car curbside.

Not only does this type of service make the shopping experience more convenient and reduce risk for the shopper, it enables the store to better protect its employees, meet a growing demand, and stay competitive in the marketplace.

To implement curbside pickup, stores must follow a set of steps in order to ensure a smooth transition and roll-out of the service. These include:

Evaluation of app options
Evaluation of scanners and mobile printers that will enable the process
Testing and making adjustments as necessary
Implementation of a pilot program
Communication of the new option to shoppers
Official roll-out of the program

As more grocers move to provide this service and more customers opt-in, there can be some initial difficulties in providing click-and-collect groceries.

Fortunately, companies like Zebra offer solutions that make implementing a curbside pickup program as foolproof as possible.

They begin with optimization of the customer fulfillment process that streamline pick-up, put-away, and delivery functions for a customer-centric experience, whether groceries are delivered curbside or to your customer’s door.

In-store operation functions are optimized using mobile solutions that improve efficiencies and empower employees to foster faster, smarter, more reliable store operations at every touchpoint.

They also focus on the crux of competition: The customer experience.

Helping grocers offer an outstanding shopping experience requires the kind of purpose-driven retail analytics that allows stores to focus on personalized customer experiences — the kind that drive revenue and provide a true competitive edge.

Finally, creating an optimal customer environment includes inventory management analytics for increased accuracy and savings, mobility asset control to simplify and organize workflow, and data capture processes that allow grocers to foster customer loyalty and provide exceptional service.

The Expertise to Guide Your Move to Curbsides Service

Engaging and keeping customers through implementation of a curbside pickup or delivery service is simple when you have the right team on your side. At PointManagement, we’ve tapped expert partners in the field of curbside and delivery apps and process optimization to quickly help your business adopt a no-contact program that will give you the competitive edge you need to stay ahead in today’s rapidly evolving marketplace.

Our team of experts are well-versed in implementing and customizing the apps and enabling hardware that makes for best practices delivery.

Using the latest technology and analytics, our team will design a curbside solution that optimizes workflow, promotes customer engagement and loyalty, and drives revenue for a secure future and a healthy bottom line.

Ready to see how a PointManagement curbside solution can help your enterprise implement a curbside pickup program? Contact a PointManagement consultant and get an assessment today!