Google (News - Alert) recently announced that it will be ending its collaboration efforts with Google Cloud Print in December 2020. If this is your main printing solution, you may be wondering what that means for you. Never fear - there are plenty of other solutions Google will be offering between now and January 1st, 2021, that you can easily migrate to from Cloud Print. Here’s how you can seamlessly move from Google Cloud Print to an alternate solution before the end of the year approaches.
Research a New Printing Option
Since the end of 2020 may get here sooner than you realize, it’s best that you start searching for alternative print solutions. If you research potential printing options now, your business’ efficiencies will experience no disruptions at the start of the new year. Luckily, you have several printing options to pick from according to your company’s needs, preferences, and devices.
Consider Staying with the Native Printing Solution
If you regularly use Chrome devices to fulfill your printing needs, consider using Google’s native printing solution. Use your Admin console to easily set this up to various local and network printers. A major benefit of native printing is that it operates like Cloud Print, allowing you to easily manage your users’ native printers.
These printers include user-printing defaults that let you print both in color and on two-sided documents. If you need third-party printing features, like print-usage tracking and secure printing, native printing allows you to do this with your filename and user account listed in the IPP header of the print job over a secure IPPS connection.
Native printing also enables you to easily set up any advanced printing attributes you regularly use, like pin printing, stapling, and paper trays. This makes your printing process more efficient and productive. For more secure access to your important and confidential documents, native printing also gives you the option to create your own PIN number when you send out your print job. This job will then only be released for printing when the third party correctly enters your PIN number into the printer.
Look at Other Alternate Solutions
Google’s native printing solution has been updated to include additional features since they announced the removal of Cloud Print last November. Though they’re currently providing more features for you to try, they aren’t as advanced as other alternate solutions Google partners with. Look into the other alternative solutions that are available for your business and review the different features offered to see if these could be a better option for your organization to consider.
Work with Professionals to Easily Migrate to a New Solution
It may seem intimidating to migrate from Google Cloud Print to an entirely different printing solution. Luckily, these alternate services partnering with Google, like PrinterLogic, make this transition process easier to maneuver. This particular solution allows you to use its Chrome OS Extension to conduct a simple migration process from Google Cloud Print.
All you need to do is schedule a call with PrinterLogic to learn how the printing solution helps your business meet its goals and improve its overall efficiencies. This will also help you understand how the solution works. If the shift to start out with a new printing solution makes you feel hesitant, many solutions, like PrinterLogic, will let you conduct a free trial. You can even test out this solution while still using your current ones to help you avoid any disruptions in your workplace.
Test Out New Features
As you try your new Google Cloud Print alternative, don’t be afraid to test all of its features to see if it streamlines any of your current printing processes or enhances productivity levels. Experiment with features that Google Cloud Print or the native printing solution doesn’t currently offer. Connect different devices with this printing solution, because it natively supports mixed OS environments. When you print from these other devices, notice how simple it is to set up and use them to print and distribute certain documents.
Work with other advanced features as well when you try out alternate solutions. Most of the alternate solutions, like PrinterLogic, provide features that aren’t offered on the native solution, like advanced reporting. This tool lets you track your print activity across all areas of your organization to ensure your printing processes are operating effectively.
Another feature to try out is secure release, which is offered by PrinterLogic and other solutions partnering with Google. It lets you securely release and protect your printing jobs without allowing unauthorized parties to access your confidential information. When picking the best solution for you and your team, try to find one with a self-service portal that’s easy to navigate and find your way around. This feature should provide you with a stress-free experience finding and installing your printers.
As you try out new features in your trial period, have your team test them out as well. Ask them to provide you with their feedback regarding the effectiveness of these tools and the ease of use for each of them. It’s important to find a new printing solution that’s easy for all of your team members to use. This helps ensure that no productivity is lost throughout your organization as you make the shift to a new solution.
Picking the Best Option for Your Business
As you select the printing option that appeals most to you, consider the needs of your business and how each of these options can help you meet your organizational goals. Take your time evaluating your company’s budget and conduct extensive research to determine which option is the best fit for you.
The transition from Cloud Print may be difficult for you to undergo, especially if you relied heavily on this service to fulfill all your printer needs. However, if you closely analyze your options and begin preparations to migrate to a new system that offers as many features as Cloud Print, your organization should face little to no trouble managing effective printing processes.
