HP Takes Printing to the Cloud

Hewlett-Packard unveiled a new category of Web-enabled printing solutions designed for the cloud at this week’s Internet Week Conference in New York. HP’s new releases include a new cloud computing platform for printing and a new line of printers.

The new HP ePrint platform is supporting the company’s cloud-based approach to printing. HP says the platform will allow users to print to any ePrint-enabled printer anywhere in the world from any e-mail device. In addition, users will be able to store documents and files in the cloud for direct printing at any time, customize print apps, schedule timed delivery of content from third-party websites to their printers, and generally manage all printing activities remotely from a single interface.

HP is also introducing a new line of web-connected Photosmart printers that it says will allow users to have access to and print content from anywhere without a PC. Print commands can be given via mobile device or a touchscreen interface on the printers. The printers will be available at four different price points, ranging from $99 to $299 depending on features.

So much content has become strictly consumed and stored online, printers have almost become overlooked. However, there is still a huge need for efficient, reliable printing in almost every enterprise. Since most other enterprise functions have become distributed via cloud technology, HP is taking a logical step by cloud-enabling printing. The transmission and storage of physical documents across distributed enterprises should become much easier if ePrint works as advertised. About the only players who stand to lose in this equation are overnight delivery services.

The first web-connected Photosmart printer, the $99 e-All-in-One, is expected to be available in North America later this month. The other three models will be released in August and September 2010.