5 Advantages of Not Using a Print Server
If you frequently print things like documents, you may have come across a print server. Print servers connect your computer to the printer, and they can come in the form of software or a network device. They can help you manage a lot of print jobs easily, which can be nice if you have a large team. However, print servers can add an extra step in the printing process, and that can complicate things. Moving from print servers to direct printing can be one way to make your work more efficient, and it will be one less thing you have to manage. Consider the advantages of not using a print server so that you can make the best decision for you and your team.
1. Computer Settings Matter
When you use a print server, everything has to go through that before being printed. On the other hand, when you use the alternative, Direct IP Printing, individual computers have more control. You can enable different print settings on separate computers, which can be nice if you have multiple computers on the same network. If you and another person on your team have different preferences, you won't have to compromise on how you set up printing. You can both set your respective computers to your chosen settings.
2. Direct Printing Is Affordable
If you eliminate print servers, you'll be able to save a little money. Setting up print servers can be expensive since they connect the network to the printer. When you print directly from your computer, you can get rid of that extra step and that extra cost. Of course, switching may not result in savings initially, but you won't have to worry about maintaining your print server once you stop using it. Print servers require hardware maintenance and software upkeep, and some of those costs can add up over time. Meanwhile, you can use that money for other things if you switch to direct printing.
3. Print Servers Can Cause Failures
When you use a print server, it can become the main point of failure within your printing system. If something goes wrong between your computer and printer, odds are it's the print server. That can be a problem for the whole network since the print server affects everyone. On the other hand, if one computer has trouble with direct printing, you can try another computer to see if the printer is causing the issue or if something is wrong with the first computer.
4. No Internet is Needed
When you use a print server, you need a network connection to send the print command through the server and to your printer. However, that's not the case with direct printing. You can print directly from your computer to the printer without an internet connection, which can be nice if your internet ever goes down. Of course, you probably need the internet for a lot of your work. However, the more you can do without the internet, the less you'll have to rely on a connection to get things done. Especially if you have to print documents regularly, not needing a connection can make a huge difference in your productivity.
5. Direct Printing Is Easy
Unless you or someone on your team is well-versed in print servers, using them can be difficult. On the other hand, setting up direct printing is easy, and it doesn't require ongoing maintenance like a print server. Almost anyone can set up direct printing, so you don't have to be an IT professional to use it. You also won't have to spend time updating and caring for the system like you would if you had a print server. This can be especially nice if you have a small team and don't plan on printing much or often. Unless printing is something you plan to do every day, direct printing is the better choice.
There are advantages to using print servers and not using them, and comparing both sides can be essential when deciding how to print documents. While a print server sends documents to a central place of control, it can require a lot of time and money, so you should consider which method is going to be best for you.
