HP announced HP Managed Print Cloud Services, a cloud-based service that enables organizations to hand over management of their printing technology to HP. This service, says HP, will allow IT teams to focus on more strategic priorities.
The company also announced its support for Universal Print , Microsoft’s online printer management service. HP also makes it easy to acquire printers and supplies for remote workers.
“We are focused on providing services and solutions that know how you work, anticipate your needs and deliver a compelling cost structure,” said David Prezzano, Managing Director and Global Head of Print Services and Solutions at HP, in a statement.
Acceleration of the transition to service in a tense economic context
The new and improved services come at a difficult time for HP’s printing business. In the company’s latest quarterly financial results, released in May, printing revenues were down 19% from a year ago. Printing represented 33% of HP’s net revenue. One of the bright spots in this business, according to HP, is the growing interest in Instant Ink, the brand’s subscription ink delivery service.
On a conference call, HP CEO Enrique Lores said the printing was “facing short-term challenges due to supply and demand issues.” In the longer term, “we see the opportunity to speed up the transition to services,” he added.
Last February, HP released a three-year strategic and financial plan to create value , which called for expanding this business, in part by “increasing the recurring nature of print revenues.”
Partnership with Microsoft
The new Managed Print Cloud Services will offer “personalized services and intelligent solutions, designed specifically to help streamline and automate processes,” HP promises in a statement. It works with trusted cloud environments.
In the meantime, to support Microsoft’s Universal Print Service, HP will work with Microsoft to build a “cloud-to-cloud” integration with the Managed Print Cloud Services platform.
And as many workers continue to work from home, HP is also updating its Flexworker Solutions program. This enhanced program will make it easier for remote workers to purchase company-approved printers with extended service contracts, as well as order supplies. It will also make it easier for IT departments to manage supplies through centralized billing and consolidated reporting.