Member Roundtable: What Are The Benefits Of Cloud-Based Print And Scan For Small Businesses?

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the United States is still experiencing a major uptick in entrepreneurship.?In 2022 alone, more than 5 million new businesses were created–a staggering 42% increase from pre-pandemic levels. And that’s something to celebrate, especially on National Small Business Day!

As an alliance of technology companies establishing standards for printing and scanning, we’re committed to supporting businesses and individuals with print and scan solutions that work with them, not against them. With ever-increasing needs for flexibility, adaptability, and better connectivity between the home and office, cloud-based printing and scanning is an invaluable tool for any business.

Along with Mopria Alliance members Canon Inc. , KYOCERA Global and 利盟 , we’re breaking down the top benefits of cloud print and scan solutions for small businesses in particular, in honor of Small Business Day.

INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY

Cloud-based printing and scanning supports a more productive workflow by ensuring seamless functionality across locations and devices. Employees can print from a variety of devices, including computers, smartphones, and tablets, saving time and increasing productivity.

Mopria certified?printers and scanners can also help boost efficiency, since they do not require the installation of drivers or software, simplifying the printing process and reducing the amount of time spent troubleshooting issues.

For small businesses that need to work nimbly and flexibly, cloud printing and scanning is the perfect match.

How do cloud-based printing and scanning solutions support higher levels of productivity for small businesses?

“Firstly, it helps employees to be able to print and scan documents from anywhere, at any time using any devices with internet connections. Secondly, it also helps save money by reducing the need for expensive hardware and software since it allows for decentralization of printing. Thirdly, it can improve document security by providing secure access to documents and data from anywhere, at any time. Lastly, it can help small businesses streamline their workflows by automating document management processes and reduce the time to complete tasks.” - Hiroyuki (Harvey) Shimizu , Chief of Alliance Project, Canon Inc.

IMPROVED SECURITY

Cloud solutions also bring the possibility of heightened security features to improve protection of sensitive information–an important consideration for small businesses, which have been found to be?three times more likely to experience cyberattacksthan larger enterprises. Cloud-based printers and scanners can use encrypted document transmission to protect data while a print job is waiting to be released, and can also require user authentication to ensure only authorized users can access the printer and its documents.

Plus, cloud-based devices can be managed centrally, reducing the risk of security breaches and making it easier to monitor and control access to sensitive information.

How do cloud-based printing and scanning solutions increase security measures and resistance to cyberattacks for small businesses?

“Cloud-based printing and scanning solutions frequently incorporate encryption to safeguard stored data. As a result, even if a cybercriminal manages to access the data, they will be unable to decipher it without the encryption key. Moreover, cloud solutions typically receive regular security updates and patches to address any vulnerabilities or weaknesses in the software. This helps to ensure that the solution remains secure and up-to-date against the latest cyber threads. Additionally, many cloud-based printing and scanning solutions are designed to comply with data protection regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. This guaranties that businesses can fulfill their legal obligations to protect sensitive data.” - Dilinur Wushour , President,? KYOCERA Document Solutions America, Inc.

BETTER COLLABORATION

With some employees working from the office and others working from home, cloud print and scan solutions smooth the transition between locations by ensuring workers can print from practically anywhere, to any printer. This means an employee can finish drafting a document on their company laptop at home but easily print it from that same laptop, or even their phone or tablet, once they reach the office to review it with colleagues.

Even if your business doesn’t yet have a cloud-based infrastructure, intuitive tools like the?Mopria Print Service?and?utilizing Windows for scanning?enables workers to easily print and scan to and from their devices without skipping a beat, leaving more time for collaboration and less time wasted on IT issues.

How do cloud-based printing and scanning solutions facilitate greater collaboration between employees of small businesses?

“Collaboration is all about communication and cloud solutions enable easy access to information whether it be physical or digital. Being able to quickly scan hard copy content for collaborative conversations and have the ability to share that content quickly across your employees’ base increases the availability of relevant information.” - Eric McCann , Manager, Technology Portfolio Architect, 利盟

To learn more about print and scan solutions from Mopria Alliance, visit?mopria.org.