Why Cloud-Based Software-as-a-Service Print Management?

In the following blog post, Printix’s Chris Parrish explains some of the advantages of a cloud-based Software-as-a-Service print-management solution versus traditional print-management software :

“Cloud-based software as a service (SaaS) has been part of the new wave that’s transforming the way we design and manage our workspace – just think about Microsoft’s success with Office 365 and SharePoint.

Printing is one of the most basic business process that should be simplified with cloud-computing technology. The marriage of cloud and SaaS allows organizations of any size to print and manage print with greater convenience, more robustness, and efficiency at less cost.

Here are some things to consider when looking to move print management to the cloud, combined with a SaaS business model, and compared to traditional onsite print-management software.

Printix SaaS vs. Traditional Print Management Software

Software Cost and Payment Frequency

SaaS
In the monthly Printix subscription, a company only pays for active users that printed in the previous month. There is no license fee, no upfront investment cost, or any installation fee.

Perpetual
Most on-premise print management systems via a perpetual license means you pay upfront and own a license for the system. Increasingly popular is subscription pricing or a lease for access to the system. Either way, software will entail additional license costs annually if you add new users, modules or even upgrades to the system. Perpetual licensing usually costs around three times more than that of Printix SaaS licensing over three years.

Maintenance Cost

SaaS
Printix includes maintenance and support. In addition, the price includes unlimited printers and unlimited users.

Perpetual
On-premise software models will typically require you to take an annual maintenance contract, which includes support, ongoing updates,  and patches. These contracts can be priced anywhere from 10 to 25 percent of the initial license cost. These terms are often negotiable and pricing can change when the contract term expires.

Implementation cost

SaaS
No implementation fee. You can prepare your Printix Home in the Cloud, download and install the Printix print management client for Microsoft or Mac within a few minutes. There is no longer any need for print servers, printer specific software, or other hoops to jump through, before you just continue to print.

Perpetual

Most on-premise solutions require some set-up, even when straight out of the box or when integrating with other systems. This can involve software installation, database configuration and testing. These costs can also be incurred again on any future major upgrades.

Hosting Cost

SaaS
Printix hosts the software so you don’t need to use or buy any server. Compatible with any device with a Web browser; computers, tablets ,or smartphones, you won’t need to buy any new hardware to run your system.

Perpetual
An on-premise system will likely require new or upgraded hardware to properly run the system, if not in the short-term, certainly over time. This could include applications, database servers, PCs and networking infrastructure. Older hardware can be used initially but over time new releases, which typically require more computing power, will demand it.

Data Back-up

SaaS
Your configuration data is stored securely in your Printix Home in the cloud, and so are print drivers that Printix Client uploads to your Printix library of print drivers.

Perpetual
All back-ups will be need to be made by you. That means your hardware, your staff.

Personnel Cost and Requirement

SaaS
Printix SaaS and the Printix Client is managed and maintained by us as part of the cost.

Perpetual
You will need IT staff to manage the software and hardware. The scale of the software management task will depend on how much this will cost.