Printing isn’t always consistent across different locations and devices in a multi-location print management system. Such firms have to bear longer troubleshooting times and increased IT support costs. Compatibility issues always keep you in a loop. There’s no such thing as efficient cost control, no matter how hard you try. That’s because managing print expenses across multiple sites is really a tough nut to crack. Identifying areas of overspending and tracking printing activity becomes an uphill battle for such organizations.

You might have noticed that businesses aren’t always located in a single location nowadays. There are geographically dispersed offices that most companies have to manage. Branches are spread across different locations, and in such a situation, you’ll have to rely on a multi-location management system for your printing needs. Problems begin to arise when you don’t have centralized control over your printing operations. It’s literally an abundance of issues we’re talking about.

This blog will explain the top challenges of multi-location print management.

5 Common Challenges in Multi-location Print Management

One of the most concerning things about a multi-location print management system is security vulnerabilities. One printer in your office can become a vector for cyberattacks, let alone a fleet of many machines. A single weak link, and you’ll have to worry about a cyber-incident. Integration with the software and applications you’re already using? That’s another potential issue. This issue can be exacerbated when your company is using legacy systems. Then, there’s the remote support and maintenance concern that will keep you up.

Given below are the five common challenges in multi-location print management:

1.      Inconsistent Print Infrastructure

That’s the first problem that you may have to tackle when managing a multi-location print environment. Inconsistencies in your print infrastructure are a major culprit behind increased printing costs. It usually happens when you’ve to manage multiple printing departments located in various locations. That’s because there’s often no centralized control. You might have to bear the following issues associated with an inconsistent print infrastructure:

·         A need for increased IT support

·         Compatibility problems

·         Difficulty with standardization

·         Troubleshooting complexities

·         User confusion

These are significant complications that can open the door to other potential troubles in your printing departments. Fortunately, there’s an effective solution for this challenge. We’re talking about a managed print service. You can contact professionals at  Xeratek to tackle all of the above concerns.

2.      Lack of Cost Control

Complete control over all your printing operations is something that you really want to improve efficiency and productivity. In fact, compliance with regulations relies on this aspect. What makes this control harder to come by? A multi-location print management system. Each location has its own print servers, configurations, and drivers. These are fragmented environments where you cannot often control everything.

 Each location where your business is operating has its unique printing needs. You try to meet the requirements of one, and the other starts posing problems. This level of uncontrolled printing always results in hidden costs. Wasted papers, toner, and energy become common. A centralized management system can help you regain control over all the operations.

3.      Security Concerns

Here’s another area that should concern you when you’re managing a print infrastructure across different locations. We already know that printers are widely considered one of the most overlooked cybersecurity threats. And when there are many spread across multiple sites, this can really become an entry point for data breaches and other cybersecurity attacks. Here’s what you may have to face in terms of print security:

·         Insider threats

·         Malware and ransomware

·         Password attacks

·         Security misconfigurations

·         Unencrypted data transmissions

Threats like this can convert to bigger problems really quickly. Go for the development and implementation of a comprehensive security strategy to mitigate the risk.  

4.      Integration with Business Applications

Each business has existing systems and apps, like accounting software and CRM. It’s easier to integrate print management with these systems when you’ve to manage only one location. What about when you’ve multi-location print management on your hands? That’s where this integration can become a matter of concern for a business. Your legacy systems can especially cause issues in this regard.

That old print infrastructure that you’re still using in various offices doesn’t easily integrate with modern solutions. You might also be using a printer fleet comprising different brands and models in different locations. This can further worsen the integration challenge. Then, there’s a lack of mobile accessibility due to poor integration.

5.      Remote Support and Maintenance

You need to ensure technical assistance when a printing problem happens in any location. Performing maintenance tasks on every machine is also necessary if you want your system to keep working optimally. In a multi-location print management system, you’ve to do it all remotely. Why is this a challenge? Having a look at the following issues will answer this question:

·         Logistical challenges

·         Remote troubleshooting

·         Complexities of multi-brand environments

·         Bandwidth and network limitations

·         Cost implications

That said, support and maintenance are always a matter of concern for such businesses. Outsourcing your print management needs can be an effective solution to all these problems.

Ensure Effective Print Management in a Multi-Location Environment

An inconsistent print infrastructure and uncontrolled operations can result from multi-location print management. Security threats loom over your head, and integration with business apps becomes difficult. Reach out to a reliable service provider to get managed print services as an effective solution for these problems.