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Areas to consider for cloud hosting
Print shops are faced with a decision when first using web to print software: cloud hosting or self hosting? It will play a factor in business, but because of the advancements in technology and software, the choice will not be a make-or-break one. Instead, it will come down to a matter of preference.
Those print shops thinking of using cloud-hosted web to print software should understand the difference between professional and consumer cloud computing. Professional cloud computing applies to businesses and can trace its roots back to the 1950s, when large mainframe computers were seen as the future of computing. The cloud computing that is popular today began in earnest in the 1990s, and traces of the term have been found to have originated in a 1996 internal memo at Compaq. Ten years later, Amazon began offering a remote computing platform. The release of this service popularized the term cloud computing that has become popular in the 2000s.
Within cloud computing are important, yet different service models. Web to print software falls under software as a service, which Harvard Business Review calls the most mature and largest part of the cloud. So instead of web to print software being installed on-site, it would reside in the cloud, where print shops can access it from a Web browser or similar interface.
There are some key benefits for print shops to consider if they are unsure whether to choose to go the cloud-hosting or self-hosting route.
Cost
Costs are lower with cloud computing. Print shops using cloud-hosted software would be paying a subscription fee - that's it. Compare this to self hosting the software, which would require print shops to purchase enterprise-like hardware and staff an exceptional IT department to implement and maintain the software. Upfront costs therefore are generally high. This method is known as the CAPEX model.
Cloud services are such an attractive option because it reduces those IT costs, allowing print shops to focus resources elsewhere. Moving to the cloud means businesses are choosing to follow the OPEX model.
Efficiency
Print shops that choose to use cloud hosting will be much more efficient, both internally and with clients. Work can be done from virtually anywhere. Shops can rest easy knowing that troubleshooting, updates and back-end functions are handled by the vendor. They can then focus on ensuring their clients are provided the best service for their printing needs, thus increasing the return on investment.
Security
No business wants its data to be compromised. Understandably so, many large firms find it more comforting to store data on-site because there are still some skeptics of the cloud. Data is always at risk, no matter the location. However, the firms most at risk of security attacks are in the high tech industry, according to Cloud Security Alliance. These targeted firms are also the best equipped to defend themselves from malicious attacks. Print shops should take comfort knowing web to print software vendors are most able to monitor potential threats and deal with them should they arise.
There are many advantages to hosting software through the cloud. For print shops, it may allow them to function at an ever higher level.
