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 HP ePrint allows users to print documents directly from their BlackBerry e-mail application. This application is a result of the strategic alliance between HP and Research In Motion, formed in 2009.
With the HP ePrint Enterprise solution for the BlackBerry smartphone, users can print within their enterprise to networked printers (including to remote offices), print to a variety of public printing locations, or print to HP ePrint-enabled home printers. HP is promoting this solution as useful for employees who want to print a document before they arrive at the office, or for companies with multiple locations who want visiting or remote employees to be able to print to any corporate printer from their BlackBerry. The ability to print in public locations is being promoted for tasks such as printing off a boarding pass at a hotel prior to arriving at the airport. It could also be used, while traveling, to print documents that were forgotten at the office.
This mobile printing application, although offered through HP Managed Print Services, will likely not have an impact on the MPS programs for channel dealers and VARs. Instead of controlling the print that currently exists, HP ePrint adds the capability to print on the go. This solution may be useful, in large organizations, for reducing the hours that IT departments spend helping visiting employees get set up to print. As HP leads the race in mobile and cloud printing, it is important to know what this application offers and how it may benefit client organizations. |
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To use the HP ePrint Enterprise application, a user must first open their BlackBerry e-mail application and select the e-mail attachment they want to print. The user can then open the BlackBerry menu and select "Print." They then input search criteria, for example, a city name, to view a list of available printing devices and select the printer they want to print to. In addition to the model of the printer, a description of the printer may also be included in the directory to more easily locate the appropriate device. The BlackBerry will confirm if the document was successfully sent.
HP offers HP ePrint Enterprise user license packages to accomodate both small and large organizations. HP is willing to support non-HP printing hardware with this solution, but they charge an additional fee for each non-HP printer.
Anyone can use the HP ePrint application on their BlackBerry to print to a variety of HP ePrint-supported public locations. In many cases, these locations are powered by the PrinterOn network of public printers. PrinterOn's network of public PrintSpots work by forwarding an entire e-mail with attachments, from the BlackBerry, to the e-mail address of the printer. The user will receive an e-mail back that includes a release code for the print job, which must be entered in a keypad beside the printer to release the job. More than 1,300 Hilton Worldwide hotels are already connected to the PrinterOn network. The HP ePrint solution for public printing will also be implemented across over 1,800 FedEx Office locations by the end of 2010.
HP ePrint supports the following file types: Microsoft Word documents, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, PDF documents, image files, HTML files, text files, rich text files, and XPS documents. |
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HP ePrint Enterprise includes installation, configuration and setup services, where HP works with the client's IT adminstrator. Setup includes mapping the printers you want to use with ePrint to a business directory. Employees can download the HP ePrint application individually, or it can be pushed through the organization's BlackBerry Enterprise Server.
Users can download a demo of the application to their BlackBerry from the HP website. At the end of July, users can download the version that allows you to print to public locations and to HP ePrint-enabled home printers from BlackBerry App World. |
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Print jobs sent through HP ePrint Enterprise travels through the client's BlackBerry Enterprise Server, to the HP ePrint application on the client's server, to the chosen printer.
HP ePrint used at public PrinterOn PrintSpots sends print job requests over the internet to the chosen printer using SSL communications. The user receives a release code that must be typed in a keypad beside the printer prior to the print job being released. |
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HP ePrint Enterprise is offered through HP Managed Print Services from Document and Workflow Services and is available as a contractual service.
To use the public version of HP ePrint, users can download a demo of the application to their BlackBerry from the HP website. At the end of July, users can download the version that allows you to print to public locations and to HP ePrint enabled home printers on BlackBerry App World. Pricing for printing to public print locations varies by location. |