Now it's just not 'cloud computing' the question is ARE you PRINTING in the clouds??

Cloud computing....  it's gone one step further...  so here's the latest question; is your PRINTING in the Clouds?  

A while back I wrote about ‘cloud computing’.  My quick recap;

Cloud computing;  You could probably asked a dozen Realtors® what that means and get at least 8 different descriptions  It's a term that's been used time and time again.  

When I wrote that I was talking about putting my information ‘in the clouds’ so that I could have the capacity and availability to access that information from more than just my office.  Cloud computing allows the use of a full out application (like Top Producer), data sharing (like Google Docs), and/or collaborating with my team.

Cloud computing is something that a lot of us have been using for some time but I had never thought about how useful ‘printing’ in the clouds could be...  So I had to give it some thoughtful study...

Here’s what I found;

There’s not a really good solution to wireless printing - if you’re an iPad, iPhone, even laptop user you’ve found that out...  But here’s what might be an interim solution

Google has Cloud Print; as they say ‘Print anywhere, from any device’.  What’s that mean?  Google Cloud print connects any of your printers to the web whether they are at your office downtown, or your home office in the ‘burbs’.  Google says it works with any printer but they recommend cloud ready printers.

Here’s where our AR sponsor Kodak comes in (and the reason for this challenge).  All of the Kodak Hero printers ARE cloud ready and support Google Cloud Print without having to download additional software or print drivers.  

                          

That’s easy.  They call it ‘intelligent printing’.  Simply send any document or photos to the printer of your choice anywhere in the world.  What’s more - you can do that from your iPad, smartphone, or any other email capable device.  

How’s it work?  Kodak email print (which is a free service BTW) assigns your printer a unique email address.  So all you have to do is email the document you want printed to that email.  When you do the printer will print the body of the email and any attachments sent with it.

So how useful is this really?  Here’s where I’m having a hard time wrapping my brain around this whole ‘cloud printing’ idea as it sits today.  I can't see a lot of practical application...

But here’s one thought I had where I can see it being kind of useful; I love my iPad.  It’s what I take with me where ever I go.  It’s lighter and more convenient than my MacBook.  But if I get an email with a document, contract, or have any other information I need printed while I’m ‘out and about’ with my iPad, I would have to email it to someone in the office to ‘please print for me’. 

But with cloud printing I wouldn’t have to bother someone else - all I would have to do is email it to the printer I want. Now I’ll admit that’s useful and I'd use it sometimes, but not compelling enough of a reason to go out and purchase a new cloud ready printer.  Well not today anyway.   

So for now I’ll watch and learn more about cloud printing, and of course I’m always up to hearing about how you see it’s being used....

Please let me know how you’re using “cloud computing” in your business...  I love hearing new ideas!

*This blog post is for the Kodak and ActiveRain 'Printing on the Go' Challenge. You have a chance to win some great prizes from Kodak!