In many previous posts, we’ve mentioned the fact that a lot of people are moving away from traditional desktop computers and even laptops in favour of mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.
These devices are obviously uber convenient for many reasons…Until it comes time to print. In our digital world, it’s very easy to be taken off guard when we all of a sudden require a real, physical version of a document.
This is partly the reason why the Global Mobile Printing Market is set to grow at a CAGR of 32.5 percent from 2014-2019.
Mobile printing is basically just printing wirelessly from a mobile device. It’s an emerging market, and most of the growth here is because of uptake from enterprises, rather than individual consumers.
Key Drivers and Challenges in the Global Mobile Printing Market:
Increased Implementation of BYOD Policy
Large organizations are allowing and even encouraging employees to bring personal mobile devices to the office, in order to connect to the business network and streamline their work. Mobile printing basically ensures that employees can execute the same actions they would typically be able to carry out from their regular workstations.
However, personal devices pose a serious challenge to companies in terms of data security. As a result, organizations are continuously developing more secured mobile printing solutions to support and manage these devices, which is resulting in market growth.
Security Issues
The majority of mobile printing solutions are based on cloud services, and mobile printing typically involves transmitting sensitive data over an organization’s network.
As BYOD policy becomes more popular, access to non-encrypted data could pose a threat to enterprise data security. Additionally, one of the major issues associated with cloud-based mobile printing services is that IT administrators don’t have any control over the number of BYOD devices connected to a printer.
Focus on Centralized Printing Environment
Vendors in the Global Mobile Printing Market are focusing on building centralized printing environments that help companies reduce costs associated with buying printers, cartridges, and other related support services. These printing setups consume less power and provide access to high-speed printing, faxing, copying and scanning capabilities.
With continuous advances in technology, factors such as evolution and rapid adoption of secure and consistent printing IT solutions are expected to drive the growth of the Global Mobile Printing Market.
Issues with Automation and Scalability
One of the key challenges faced by mobile printing providers is ensuring scalability and automation of printing devices while keeping costs low.
Many providers offer a host of efficient mobile printing solutions, but when it comes to specific services, these vendors are challenged by core infrastructure issues. For instance, their infrastructure may not support the high level of storage, security, and scalability required to meet client expectations, resulting in client dissatisfaction.
In addition, the complexities of automation because of a lack of appropriate integration are also a growing concern. A lot of organizations rely on automated solutions to generate profits, and lack of proper automation may cause them to seek alternative solutions
Increased Need for Workforce Mobility
Organizations are seeing an expansion in their business operations and an increase in their geographical presence. This has increased workforce mobility so that organizations can handle business processes worldwide. Mobile printing helps companies create a mobile workforce, fulfills the need for mobile business solutions and helps maintain a flexible employee structure in an organization.
Issues with Wireless Communication
The growth of the Global Mobile Printing market depends on wireless internet connectivity, but SMEs are still failing to build and maintain proper IT infrastructure that supports mobile printing solutions. Companies operating on a large scale are more likely to avoid wireless devices as they can present a security concern. Though some large corporations have been successful in implementing mobile printing solutions, the majority of companies are still grappling with accessibility challenges and security issues.
