Printing from a Mobile Device: Increase Productivity and Improve Workflow

Smartphones and tablets are everywhere you look. While they’re great for entertainment purposes, many people find that their mobile devices are almost essential for keeping them productive. With the flexibility to work from almost anywhere, mobile device enthusiasts can conduct research while at the park, read while commuting, or even design from their favorite coffee shop. The freedom to work from various locations is certainly convenient, but what happens when you need to print? Normally, this is where things can get complicated. Going through the process of saving and sending items to a desktop computer linked to a printer isn’t ideal. Cut out that time-consuming step by linking your team members’ mobile devices to a wireless printer using the latest printer apps, scanner apps, or a printer’s built-in technology.

Step Up Productivity and Create Seamless Workflows With Mobile Printers

Many workers carry their smartphones and tablets everywhere they go. Although the devices are usually readily accessible, not too long ago printing from them was a no-go. Printing that great idea you and your co-workers came up with for a team meeting or a client presentation often involved having to transfer files from the mobile device and onto a computer mapped to a printer. Now, you can save valuable time by simply connecting mobile devices directly to a printer. This may mean updating printer and device information for the initial pairing, but this small investment of time can help improve workflows and productivity among loyal mobile device users.

Which Smartphones and Printers Are Compatible?

To take advantage of the latest printing technology, you’ll need to use recent smartphone and tablet models. For example, AirPrint technology enables direct printing from iOS devices. You need an AirPrint-compatible printer, such as Brother, Epson, HP, and Lexmark, and a mobile device with a recent iOS connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the printer. There’s no need for an additional app, as all the built-in apps, such as Safari, Photos, and Mail, enable printing and work directly with AirPrint. Simply tap “Print,” and you should see the AirPrinter detected and listed.

Android systems let you print remotely from a smartphone or tablet to a printer located miles away from you. Using Google Cloud Print, you can connect to any printer so long as it’s connected to a PC running a Chrome browser and using Windows, Mac, or Linux. A few printers also have built-in support for Google Cloud Print. To set up a printer for Cloud Print, check whether it already has built-in support and follow the setup instructions. Otherwise, configure the printer to work with Cloud Print, and install a suitable Cloud Print-compatible app on each of the Android mobile devices.

What Other Print Support Tools Are Available?

Are you looking for support? Most major printer manufacturers offer mobile printing support tools with similar features to AirPrint and Cloud Print. Some also offer scanning features that let users scan documents directly to a mobile device and print documents sent to a special email address linked to the printer. For ultimate flexibility, choose a portable printer small enough to slip into a briefcase with Bluetooth connectivity for direct printing from a mobile device while on the go.

Are You Worried About Security Breaches?

Imagine a team member presses “Print” but gets distracted by an urgent call and leaves highly confidential information sitting in the printer tray where anyone can get it. Secure job-release systems or “pull printing”  is set up so print jobs can’t be released without user authentication. Increase security with a “bring your own device” policy that defines all personal devices used for company work and linked to your printers are fully protected from cybercrime and limit the printer’s access to trusted, known users.

With so many workers operating remotely, from home, or while traveling, the ability to use mobile devices to carry on working is essential. Revolutionize your team’s workflow with mobile printers that allow them to print and share information the moment they get into the office or even send documents to print from halfway around the world.

About the Author

Carly Johnson is a content project manager who combines her SEO knowledge with her passion for creative writing.

All content provided herein is for educational purposes only. It is provided “as is” and neither the author nor Office Depot. warrant the accuracy of the information provided, nor do they assume any responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.