As we navigate the post-pandemic era, the landscape of work continues to evolve. With remote and hybrid workplace models here to stay, challenges and opportunities arise from remote collaboration and the pivotal role of documents in business operations.
According to a comprehensive Market Analysis Report presented by Grand View Research, a distinguished market research and consulting company, the global commercial printing market exhibited a value of USD 489.63 billion in 2022. Projections suggest a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.8% from 2023 to 2030.
This dynamic growth underscores the industry's ability to adapt to evolving print technologies and meet the evolving demands of its consumers.
To understand the impact, let's explore the key trends and innovative solutions such as intelligent process automation, printer fleet optimization and secure mobile printing as we step into 2024.
Adapting to the Modern Workplace
Remote work has transitioned from a temporary adjustment to a lasting change.
The challenges for businesses lie in adapting processes to a more remote-friendly environment, making it crucial to stay ahead of the curve.
Amid the changing work dynamics and technological advancements, documents, whether physical or digital, remain fundamental for business operations. This is why businesses are compelled to reevaluate their operational strategies and adapt to the changes.
The shift to remote collaboration brings forth both challenges and opportunities, but redefining business processes according to the newest solutions will enhance operations and optimize your print environment.
However, adapting to change doesn’t need to be an overwhelming feat! Embracing the “crawl, walk, run” mentality enables businesses to embark on the journey gradually.
3 Trends Suited for Adaptation
As businesses embrace adaptation, three prominent trends stand out in optimizing operations and enhancing business processes: intelligent process automation, print fleet optimization and secure mobile printing.
Let's explore these trends that promise to shape the future of enterprise content management and drive efficiency in the workplace.
1. Automation and Intelligent Workflows
In response to these new challenges, there’s a growing call for automation. Businesses are exploring ways to automate manual processes, whether they cater to remote or in-person employees.
Intelligent process automation addresses longstanding challenges associated with manual processes in key areas such as:
- Accounts Payable
- Human Resources
- Data Entry
- And more!
This trend seamlessly integrates with printing needs, revolutionizing document generation and print job management.
Automated workflows ensure the accuracy and precision of print-related processes, aligning them with the overall efficiency of automated operations. This not only accelerates document production but also empowers businesses to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances, fostering a more scalable operational framework.
The goal is to enhance efficiency and reduce errors, allowing employees to refocus on core tasks and contribute to the company's growth.
Addressing Labor Shortages: A Vital Aspect of Automation
Amidst the post-pandemic landscape, a pervasive labor shortage is impacting the recruitment of essential office roles.
In response to this significant workforce challenge, consider intelligent automation as your strategic ally.
With Loffler’s Management Services (LMS), our people-based, on-site service solution seamlessly integrates human expertise into your business processes. This not only addresses workforce gaps but ensures the uninterrupted flow of operations.
In a time where qualified personnel are scarce, LMS provides you with a crucial bridge, enabling you to navigate labor shortages while embracing the efficiency and precision of automation.
2. Print Fleet Optimization
With remote and hybrid work models prevailing, businesses must recalibrate their print environment.
Print fleet optimization focuses on streamlining and enhancing the efficiency of the entire print fleet, encompassing a range of devices like copiers, printers and multifunctional devices.
This approach ensures that your print infrastructure is not only efficient for in-office use but also caters to the remote printing needs of a dispersed workforce, aligning with the demands of the contemporary work landscape.
It’s more than consolidating printers; it’s about strategically equipping your business and employees with the right technology. Ensure that each device serves an intentional purpose while minimizing expenses on maintenance, supplies and energy consumption.
In addition, a well-optimized printer fleet translates to improved productivity across the organization. Streamlined workflows and strategically placed devices mean less time navigating printing issues and more focus on core tasks.
Print fleet optimization is not only about cutting costs but creating an adaptable and secure printing environment.
With features like user authentication and secure print release, businesses can safeguard sensitive information.
Importantly, this ensures that, in the age of remote work, employees have secure access to optimized print resources from various locations.
Unsure if your print environment needs optimization? Loffler conducts thorough, in-office walkthroughs to check for areas of improvement and establish solutions to power your success.
As we usher in a new era of work, print fleet optimization stands as a pivotal strategy, harmonizing technology, equipment and workflows with the evolving needs of the workforce.
3. Secure Mobile Printing
The integration of secure mobile printing and the adoption of “zero trust environments” are crucial for businesses aiming to fortify their operations while catering to the needs of both remote and in-office employees.
With the increasing prevalence of remote work, employees often find themselves working from various locations, necessitating secure access to printing resources.
Secure mobile printing ensures that users can seamlessly print documents from any location while adhering to robust security measures. Vulnerability is not an option when dealing with sensitive or confidential information.
Implementing secure mobile printing solutions and embracing cloud-based software programs like uniFLOW allows users to safely print from any device.
Software like uniFLOW can help your organization reduce costs, implement document security features, increase employee productivity and assist in meeting your environmental performance goals.
Adopt a Zero Trust Environment
Zero trust environments represent a paradigm shift in cybersecurity.
Unlike traditional models that bestowed implicit trust upon users within corporate networks, zero trust mandates continuous authentication – a principle aptly summarized as "never trust, always authenticate."
This means that every user and device, regardless of their location, must authenticate themselves before accessing print resources.
By requiring stringent authentication for every access instance, these models significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches and lateral movement of cyber threats within the network.
As the boundaries of the traditional office blur, and remote connections become the norm, zero trust emerges as a pertinent trend, aligning seamlessly with the imperative of heightened security to the dynamic landscape of the modern workplace.
Embracing Change with Loffler
Change may seem daunting, but just like the lessons of the pandemic showed us, change is the path to triumph.
From the pivotal role of documents to the challenges of remote and hybrid work, the trends in print technology demand attention and progression toward a new path.
Enter Loffler – a beacon of innovation, poised to tackle these challenges head-on. As we enter 2024, we remain a trusted partner, committed to propelling businesses forward in the dynamic world of office technology.
Ready to elevate your print and copy experience? Contact Loffler for personalized consultations and discover how our innovative solutions can drive efficiency and success in your unique business context.
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