PrinterLogic vs. Print Servers: The Benefits of Serverless Print Management

There are many technological relics that still hold their charm and a nostalgic place in our hearts: N64, record players, even Tamagotchi are having another moment in the sun. 

Print servers are not one of those beloved relics. 

So why are some people still holding onto them? From print server vulnerabilities that leave you open to disastrous data breaches, to lost print jobs and stuck print queues, it’s no wonder print servers are one technology that people are more than happy to leave in the past.

If you’re among the remaining few who still rely on print servers, you may be asking yourself why you should consider moving to a serverless printing solution. 

You might be hesitant to invest in a serverless print solution when budgets are tight, but it’s that very investment that could help free up more of your budget in the long run. Here’s a small but mighty overview to help you determine whether eliminating print servers is the next move for you and your organization:

Historically, managing print infrastructure has relied on at least one dedicated print server, but larger organizations often need multiple print servers. This adds more hardware to your broader tech stack, not to mention server racks and other on-prem equipment. Even with only one print server, organizations have a hard time managing:

• Maintenance: Print servers require ongoing upkeep and take up valuable physical space.

• Cost: Like any hardware, print servers come with a price tag. Beyond the initial investment, there are ongoing maintenance and support costs.

• IT Resources: Not every business has a large IT team. Managing print servers demands time, expertise, and dedicated personnel—something many small or lean teams can’t spare.

Print servers also pose several security risks. They’re often vulnerable to cyberattacks, lack encryption for print jobs, and may allow unauthorized user access. Physical tampering is also a concern, especially in unsecured locations. Without regular updates or detailed audit trails, they can become blind spots in an organization’s security strategy.

How Much Does a Print Server Really Cost?

A Quocirca survey found that acquiring and provisioning a single print server typically costs £1,900 (approximately $2,552 USD) with maintenance costs averaging £1,500 (approximately $2,014 USD) annually. And that’s just for the print server. The amount of time that IT teams spend on printer management is another expense that quickly adds up. After one Vasion customer removed print servers from the equation, they saw annual savings of $150,000.

Security: Closing the PrintNightmare

Printers are no longer just a background IT concern; they’re a growing part of your organization’s attack surface. Exploits like the Windows Print Spooler vulnerability (PrintNightmare) are still actively targeted, and new firmware-level flaws in popular brands like Brother, Ricoh, and Konica have revealed serious security gaps, including default-password access. 

It’s a reminder that unsecured print infrastructure can become an open door for attackers if left unaddressed.

PrinterLogic's (formerly Vasion Print) serverless print architecture eliminates the vulnerable spooler from the LAN, immediately shrinking your attack surface. With zero-trust authentication and role-based access controls, only authorized users can print documents, keeping rogue activity out. 

Plus, PrinterLogic provides a full audit trail of who printed what and when, helping you stay compliant with HIPAA, GDPR, and other data privacy standards.

Hidden Dollars in Paper and Servers

Printing costs more than you think. By eliminating print servers, you shave expenses tied to hardware, OS licenses, backups, and power usage. PrinterLogic’s subscription model also replaces unpredictable capital expenses with predictable OPEX. 

Hidden costs like energy use, paper waste, and consumables can add up fast—IDC estimates printing can consume up to 15% of annual revenue. PrinterLogic’s pull-printing and print rules help cut that waste, and your reduced carbon footprint may even qualify for sustainability credits.

Reclaiming IT Hours

Gartner reports that printers are behind half of all IT help-desk tickets. PrinterLogic lightens the load with self-service printer discovery and driverless technology, dramatically reducing support requests. For end users, it means faster, hassle-free printing from any device, without needing a VPN. Even remote and mobile workers can print securely, no extra setup required. 

PrinterLogic customers report up to a 95% reduction in help desk tickets. Now that’s a lot of time back.

Serverless printing refers to secure cloud printing solutions versus traditional (and outdated) on-prem print infrastructure. It allows users to send print jobs directly to printers without relying on local infrastructure. This reduces IT overhead, simplifies maintenance, and enhances scalability, which is especially useful for organizations with multiple locations or hybrid work environments.

Transitioning to a serverless, direct IP printing solution can optimize your print infrastructure with improved print security, mobile printing capabilities, and cutting-edge scanning technology.

Traditional print server management can hinder workflow and drain resources, but investing in a cloud-based serverless printing solution frees up budget and time for a team. PrinterLogic handles print jobs and management seamlessly.

• Effortless Centralized Management: Manage your organization’s end-to-end printing workflow from a centralized location via PrinterLogic Admin Console.

• Simple Implementation: Easily configure PrinterLogic SaaS and additional security features without reconstructing your existing print environment. No scripting or GPOs needed.

• Enhanced Security: From secure release printing to encrypted transmission, PrinterLogic protects your sensitive documents and print data against security risks.

• Cost Savings: No more costly hardware investments and maintenance headaches. With PrinterLogic, you can reduce operational costs and improve efficiency. We’ll get more into cloud print ROI a little later. 

• Remote Printing Anytime, Anywhere: Citizen users can print to any printer from any location. Mobile printing has never been easier or more convenient, whether in the office or on the go.

• Scalable Printing: PrinterLogic offers unparalleled scalability and flexibility to meet the evolving needs of modern workplaces. 

Eliminating print servers is a strategic move that reduces costs, strengthens security, and boosts productivity across your organization. Cut out unnecessary hardware, simplify management, and give your IT team and end users valuable time back. When every dollar counts, investing in the right solutions can deliver incredible ROI.

Schedule a demo today to see how PrinterLogic customers reduce print-related helpdesk calls by up to 95%.