The Future of Printing in an AI-Driven World – What Awaits Us in 2024
In the year 2024, the integration of AI into daily IT solutions is not just a possibility, but a certainty. As we navigate through an ever-evolving technological landscape, it’s impressive to see how AI is reshaping even “traditional” tasks such as printing. Let’s delve into the fascinating world where AI meets printing.
The Growing Role of AI in IT
It’s clear that AI is a significant focus for IT providers, from enhancing product features to justifying ongoing maintenance or subscription fees – AI is becoming an integral part of technological solutions. Some AI features will be available to all customers, while others will be offered as paid add-ons to support providers in financing the continuous development of AI.
The Untapped Potential of AI
The possibilities of AI are far from exhausted. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, or Bing, with their ability to generate text and images, have garnered excitement. However, the potential of AI extends beyond content generation, encompassing pattern analysis, data connectivity, and the harmonization of various business applications.
AI and Printing
As AI begins to incorporate printing into its capabilities, it will redefine how we interact with our digital and physical worlds. For example, AI could process a warranty claim and autonomously print necessary documents such as packing lists or shipping labels in a warehouse setting. In manufacturing, AI could monitor equipment performance, predict maintenance needs, print relevant work orders and instructions, thereby preventing production interruptions. From printing labels for identification, to instructing actions through printed information, the integration of AI into printing opens up a multitude of possibilities.
Printing in 2024 and Its Challenges
In 2024, a significant focus will shift to non-traditional printing sources, moving away from user-oriented applications like Word or Excel. Integrating cloud-based applications such as CRM, ERP, and EMR/EHR with office printers will be crucial for supporting efficient workflows.
The challenges in this area are twofold. First, a secure and private network connection between cloud applications and printers is needed, without relying on complex VPNs. Second, ensuring that applications can effectively communicate with printers to produce accurate and high-quality prints is essential. Even with technological advancements, print management in an office environment is still complex: Are the right printer drivers deployed? Are printers correctly assigned? Is remote printing successful? Is data security ensured, and how can mobile devices be seamlessly integrated?
The Rise of No-Code/Low-Code Platforms
Platforms like Zapier or Make lead the no-code/low-code trend, allowing users to create automated processes that connect various cloud services. This approach can streamline tasks such as order processing, printing shipping labels, and automatically updating CRM systems.
The Benefits of Cloud-Based Printing
While the physical process of applying ink or toner still occurs on-site, associated tasks—connecting applications to printers, driver management, secure data processing, simplifying administration, and environmental considerations are increasingly shifting to the cloud. Moving printing to the cloud can offer significant benefits to businesses, including cost savings, eliminating print servers and drivers, and minimizing network and printer-related risks.
Cloud-based printing, such as ThinPrint’s cloud printing solution ezeep Blue, is crucial for bridging the digital cloud world with the physical world, providing a seamless integrated experience for all devices and applications.
AI-Powered Printing with ezeep Blue’s GPT
Already, ezeep Blue’s GPT is building a bridge between digital AI and the real world of printing. ezeep Blue’s GPT enables ChatGPT to help users in selecting the right printer and informing them about the available features of the device. AI-driven recommendations suggest printers based on individual print requirements or descriptions. And this is just the beginning. Soon, further options will be introduced to simplify and automate printing processes using GPT in various innovative scenarios.
Conclusion: Printing Technology Evolves Thanks to AI
It’s clear that AI will play a crucial role in shaping how we approach printing processes in the future. By leveraging AI and cloud technologies, we can make printing more efficient, secure, and seamlessly integrate it into our digital workflows. Thanks to AI, printing becomes smarter and more interconnected, meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
