How AI and IOT have revolutionized the printing industry
For over 15 years now, the digital world has taken over communication with multiple devices and new users crowding the internet solely for exchange of data and ideas. Devices connected over the internet possess unique internet protocols, which can be used for identification during data transmission. Numerous devices interconnected over the internet defining their presence through IP addresses and using sensors to gather data, sense or communicate with other devices on the same network. This referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT). The embedment of sensor technology that employs the Radio Frequency Identifier (RFID) has improved the speed of transmission of information from one device to the other. The IoT helps with the connection of the internet-enabled devices through machine-to-machine communication. Therefore, through IoT, devices such as phones, personal computers and printers can easily communicate. For instance, one can remotely instruct a printer to produce a document following a series of commands provided both the sender and the printer are in the same network. Smart printing improves the business operational efficiency while reducing maintenance and operational cost.
Factors influencing smart printing revolution
Smart printing revolution has been backed up by solid factors including the demand for digitalized prints. According to the latest statistics, 70% of the world organizations either send or receive information through the internet. Organizations with offices in the same geographic locations, share intranet services which influences the motive of sharing a single printer for different purposes. For instance, if an individual wants to send a hard copy document to another office, they simply print the document from their office through a printer located in that another office without having to go there.
Digital flood has also facilitated the smart printing technology. 25 years ago, only 5% of the world population was connected to the internet. With the increased production of internet-based devices and ready connections, the world has turned into a global village. People share ideas and communicate worldwide regardless of difference in their geographical locations. Today, 50% of the world population is connected to the internet and the number increases every day. The introduction of microcomputers and smartphones in internet connections creates communicational opportunities for IoT thereby enabling smart printing provided the printer is within the network. The IoT enables for sharing of a centralized printer.
The rapid analog-digital migration has influenced smart printing in the recent past. For the past 25 years, the rate of analog-digital migration has been on the increase with lots of devices introduced in the internet community. People deviate from using larger computers such as the desktops and resorting to portable devices such as laptops and phones. The high demand for smartphones comes with portable technology, which may be used to print document from these devices. Since most connections are changing from wired to wireless, printers have been equipped with sensors, which aid data collection and communication with other devices. The increased online population through micro devices influences the option of installing a centralized printer, which serves the entire internet-enabled devices on the same network.
Additionally, the rise of ecommerce, which solely depends on internet communication with backend physical printing of documents, also facilitates smart printing. Ecommerce involves the sales and purchasing of goods through the internet. Once a person has paid for the services a company has offered them online, the company generates receipt forwarding to the client. On reception, the client may need to print the receipt for filing. Printing such a receipt from the company employs the smart printing technology.
Smart printing is also influenced by the urge of internet management. Today, internet users prefer complete automation of processes. For this, the printers have been modified to meet their requirements. For instance, the modern printers perform functions such as printing on both sides of the paper while stapling the final copy. To maintain such operations, the printer and the devices must communicate to avoid task queuing. Internet management enables the printer to prioritize the tasks to handle, when to handle them and the speed of processing.
Smart printing devices connections
There are two distinctive types of connections used in communication among the IoT devices. These devices communicate through either a wired or a wireless connection. In wired connection, the devices sharing a network use cables such as the coaxial, Ethernet and HDMI cables. In such a connection, the printer prints information sent to it in order of priority.
On the other hand, wireless type connection uses Wi-Fi or RFID in information transmission. This type of connection is flexible as every type of device could use it provided they are internet-enabled. Every device in the same network would print any document through the same printer.
Ways of acquire smart printing
Acquiring smart printing refers to the process of connecting an internet-enabled device to the printer in the same network or over the internet. For a device to access a printer services, it has existed among the devices sharing the same network as the printer. The device should also be compatible with the printer implying it has installed drivers supporting the operation of the same printer. Even if a device exists in the same network as a printer yet they are not compatible, it will not print any document sent from that device. Therefore, this section unravels ways through which a device can connect to a printer for a successful printing session.
Smart wireless printing
Wireless printing entails a series of devices connected through a Wi-Fi system. Once a person acquires an internet-enabled printer, they connect it to the internet through Wi-Fi connection. The devices on the same network sense the printer thereby registering its IP address. For the devices to send documents to the printer, they must be installed with the corresponding printer drivers. Such a connection supports unlimited number of devices to the printer.
Smart wired printing
Wired printing implements the use of internet cables in connecting one device to the other in the same network. After purchasing a printer, it is connected to the same network as other devices from which it receives commands pertaining document printing. This type of connection limits the number of computers that could be connected to the printer at a time. It also limits the distance of connection due to lengths of the wire.
Smart printing through Google cloud print
Google cloud printing enables user to access their printers remotely through their personal Google accounts. Today, most of the digital printers possess inbuilt Google accounts, which could be linked to the Google account of the owner. Through such linkages, the owner can command the printer to produce a document by logging in and submitting a request. The owner can also invite other google account users to print using the same printer while holding all the rights and privileges.
Impact of smart printing
Improved efficiency in production
Through remote monitoring of the IoT, a centralized system enables easy identification and resolution of potential technical hiccups a system may experience. Such a timely, accurate and diagnosis of the operational issues result in appropriate action hence the technical itch is corrected before it causes intensive damage. In other cases, the devices are designed to collect information automatically, compare them with the standard operation of the printer and decide a corrective measure. This improves the functionality of the system hence improved operational efficiency.
Online connection between employers and employees
With the immense internet usage in printing, the employees can simply work from home. AN employer can distribute tasks to the employees who can work on them remotely and deliver back online. Through the internet, they also monitor the progress of the printing process. In general, IoT creates better workplace collaboration with a clear outline of work expectation and feedback thus a good connection with employees.
Skyrocketing quality service provision
In business, the IoT implement intelligence, which helps in automatic data collection and analysis. The system uses the analyzed data to create a pattern deemed to issue recommendation in order to automate improved productivity of the system. The analyzed data can also be used developing new products according to the changing customers’ requirement.
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Smart printing is sustainable as it uses the artificial intelligence to regulate power consumption. The devices connected in the same network may detect when one is not operational thereby turning on the sleep mode or completely switching the device off. To establish such a pattern, the system analyses the previous data on the operation of the device, which it uses to make decisions for the future trend.
How to contact Sun Hing Printing?
To contact Sun Hing Printing, customers and potential customer can visit its website at sunhingprinting.com and for English language users at sunhingprinting.com/en. Sun Hing Printing also has offices located in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, China. The Hong Kong office is located at 4/F., Sze Hing Industrial Building, 35-37 Lee Chung Street, Chai Wan, Hong Kong and the Shenzhen office is located at No. 88 Fu Kang Road, Heng Gang Sub-district, Long Gang District, Shenzhen, PRC (Postal Code: 518115). For Google map links and telephone numbers, please visit the website link and click on to the ‘telephone’ icon or menu icon found in the top right corner of the website.
