Enterprise software specialist Novell announced the launch of its recently updated iPrint platform, which is now available as a standalone product that offers scalable, self-service enterprise printing with additional mobile printing capabilities and support for the Active Directory system.
The iPrint platform is known for its self-service printing model where users just “point and click” to install printers from the browser without administrative interaction on Windows and Mac desktops. The enhanced iPrint service builds upon this concept and gives users additional options and capabilities to print using their mobile phones and tablets.
For example, administrators see new enhancements that allow provisioning of users from any Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directory and simplified deployment on VMware or other virtualized environments. Additionally, iPrint enables the existing environment and printer fleet so users don’t have to buy new hardware to join the mobile movement.
A key feature a of iPrint includes cross-platform support and integration, which enables businesses to leverage existing investments with a single, unified printing solution that works across platforms and devices including Windows, Mac and Linux desktops and Android, iOS and Blackberry devices.
“Coupled with our recent announcement of Novell Filr, Novell is creating enterprise solutions that foster employee productivity while maintaining a secure and manageable workplace,” Eric Varness, Novell’s vice president of North America sales and global marketing, said in a statement. “Because the workforce of today is increasingly mobile Novell is expanding its product offerings to deliver easy-to-use, efficient solutions that allow employees to work anywhere, from any device.
“The percentage of users who printed from their mobile devices increased dramatically in 2012, and the percentage of those who do not print, and do not want to print, will decline from almost 50 percent in 2012 to just 25 percent in 2015 according to respondents of a survey by IT research firm IDC.
However, the report noted a large percentage of smartphone and tablet users do not know how to print from their devices, and a large share say their company has not yet enabled mobile printing. The study also found a higher percentage of tablet users than smartphone users can’t print but want to.
Smartphone and tablet users at large and medium companies print more applications more frequently than their small company counterparts, and business-use smartphone/tablet users are more likely than their personal-use counterparts to print, and to have an interest in printing, according to the report.
“While smartphones and tablets are most typically used for viewing materials on the screen, user attitudes indicate that printing from these devices will become more popular throughout the forecast period,” the report noted. “Expanding travel demands, access to color printing, and corporate requirements to print certain documents are driving printing from tablets and smartphones both in the office and on the road.”