Need help when Google Cloud Print is discontinued?
With an increase in many people working from home at least some of the time, there has often been a need for staff to access the office multifunctional printer while working remotely. Google Cloud Print has been a simple solution to this problem, especially for Chromebook users, but this service will cease on 31st December 2020. So, what to do when Google Cloud Print is discontinued?
Firstly, don’t panic!!
There are various ways you can access a printer remotely, so long as it is on a network in the office. Using a Virtual Private Network or a remote connection to a server can also provide a complete homeworking solution, allowing access to other folders and applications on the network depending on permissions.
Virtual Private Network
You can set up a Virtual Private Network (VPN) on a laptop or home computer so you can log in to the whole office network via a home broadband router. A VPN is a secure connection that encrypts data between your device and your business network, enabling you to access that network over the internet while keeping the information shared private from hackers or prying eyes.
Once connected to your business network via your VPN you will be able to communicate with any network printer on that network and print to it from home just as you would if you were in the office.
Remote connection to server
If your business has a company server you can set up a remote connection from an employee’s computer to the server and access the printer through that connection. This enables you to log in to the server only rather than the whole office network.
Using Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) on a Windows computer (or the Mac client app for RDC for Apple devices) you can access the ip address of the server and log in as you would normally if you were in the office. You then get a desktop that will give you access to whatever your IT department have deemed necessary! It might be the full server desktop or it might be customised for your User Profile. You can then access the printer from this desktop.
This solution requires more technical admin to set up, especially if you only want to grant access to certain parts of the server system with a customised User desktop, but like a VPN connection it will also give you a secure solution for complete remote working, not just printing.
Papercut Mobility Print
If you already use a cloud based system for your office functionality, such as Microsoft Office 365 for example, you may only need to access the office printer from home as you will already be connected to everything else you use. Papercut Mobility Print is a free service that will allow you to print securely from a remote location to any printer on your local network, although if you’re an Apple user unfortunately this solution doesn’t work for you… yet.
This works by installing Papercut Mobility Print on your network and using the Cloud Print function which allows you to grant access to specific remote devices. Remote users can then print securely to printers on your network via the Mobility Print server, using an encrypted peer-to-peer connection. Full set up instructions can be found here.
Once set up, these solutions give businesses more options as the world of work evolves, allowing staff to work flexibly while maintaining efficient productivity.
So if you’re a business in Worcestershire or Gloucestershire and you’re wondering what to do when Google Cloud Print is discontinued, give us a call on Worcester 01905 721400 / Gloucester 01452 699400, use webchat or email sales@claritysolutions.co.uk and we will help you get set up.