Cloud Print in New Zealand: Why Organisations Are Modernising Print Infrastructure

Many businesses have already migrated collaboration platforms, business applications, and core infrastructure to the cloud. However, print environments frequently remain dependent on on-premises print servers, manual driver management, and legacy processes that can create unnecessary administrative burden for IT teams.

Today, cloud print is becoming an important component of broader digital workplace and IT modernisation strategies. Organisations are recognising that modernising print infrastructure can help reduce complexity, support hybrid work, improve security, and free IT teams to focus on higher-value initiatives.

Why Organisations Are Rethinking Print Infrastructure

Traditional print environments were designed for a workplace where employees worked from a central office and applications were hosted on-premises. As workforces become more distributed and organisations adopt cloud-first strategies, these environments can present challenges.

Common issues associated with legacy print infrastructure include:

• Ongoing print server maintenance
• Manual driver deployment and updates
• Increased IT support requirements
• Limited scalability across multiple locations
• Difficulty supporting hybrid and remote workers
• Security and compliance concerns

For many organisations, print remains one of the last infrastructure services that has yet to be modernised.

Cloud Print Adoption Is Gaining Momentum

Research conducted by Konica Minolta in partnership with Omdia found that cloud print adoption is expected to increase across Australia and New Zealand over the next 12 to 24 months. New Zealand organisations are increasingly evaluating cloud print solutions as part of broader efforts to streamline operations and modernise workplace technology.

The research also found that:

• 40% of New Zealand organisations cite reducing print server management and IT workload as a key driver for cloud print adoption.
• 46% identify lower total cost of ownership as a primary benefit.
• Hybrid print environments are now the dominant operating model among New Zealand organisations.

These findings suggest that cloud print is no longer viewed simply as a printing upgrade. It is increasingly considered part of wider cloud and digital workplace initiatives.

How Cloud Print Reduces IT Workload

One of the biggest advantages of cloud print solutions is the reduction in print-related administration.

Traditional print environments often require IT teams to:

• Manage print servers
• Maintain print queues
• Deploy and update drivers
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues
• Support users across multiple locations

Cloud print centralises many of these tasks, helping organisations simplify print management and reduce the operational overhead associated with maintaining on-premises infrastructure.

As IT teams face growing demands around cybersecurity, compliance, cloud services, and business transformation, reducing time spent managing print infrastructure can deliver significant operational benefits.

Supporting Hybrid Work and the Digital Workplace

Hybrid work has changed how employees access business systems and services.

Workers increasingly expect seamless access to printing, regardless of whether they are in the office, working remotely, or moving between locations. Traditional print infrastructure can struggle to meet these expectations, particularly when access relies on local networks or VPN connections.

Cloud print solutions provide a more flexible approach by enabling secure access to print services from virtually anywhere while maintaining centralised management and control.

This makes cloud print a valuable component of a modern digital workplace strategy.

Strengthening Security and Compliance

Security remains an important consideration for any IT modernisation project.

Legacy print infrastructure can introduce risks through outdated servers, inconsistent access controls, and limited visibility into print activity.

Modern cloud print platforms typically offer features such as:

• Centralised policy management
• Secure user authentication
• Improved access controls
• Audit trails and reporting
• Integration with cloud identity platforms

These capabilities can help organisations align print infrastructure with broader cybersecurity and compliance requirements.

The Business Case for Cloud Print

While cloud print adoption is often driven by IT efficiency, the benefits extend beyond reducing administrative workload.

Organisations evaluating cloud print solutions may achieve:

• Lower infrastructure costs
• Reduced print server dependency
• Improved scalability
• Better support for hybrid work
• Enhanced security
• Simplified print management
• Greater operational flexibility

As businesses continue to modernise their technology environments, cloud print offers a practical way to align print infrastructure with cloud-first strategies.