HP will launch the latest version of its Web Jetadmin print management software later this month, alongside version 4.0 of its Universal Print driver.
The move is part of a wider strategy to give small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tighter control over their printing costs. HP also launched two new multi-function printers (MFPs) and usage-based service options earlier this month.
"We have a huge opportunity to reduce cost by going into customer workflows in ways that we were not previously able to do," said Jan Riechler, vice president of HP's EMEA image and printing group (IPG). "The big portion of savings comes from optimising the [print] infrastructure, but five to 10 percent [of savings] comes from the management side - the ability to monitor devices and their utilisation."
IDC research analyst Phil Sargeant says vendors like HP, Xerox and the Ricoh Group are putting a lot of effort into developing print management software, but are not communicating its benefits to the wider enterprise market.
"There is a lot of really low-cost, effective software out there, like HP's Web Jetadmin, but the hurdle is integrating it with organisations' internal systems," Sargeant said. "There has been some success in big corporates, where it is a case of managing not just the print effort but the whole network, but SMEs do not have a long-term view when it comes to cost per page management."
Web Jetadmin 10 provides details on printer status, configuration, alerts, groups, reports, printing supplies and firmware, alongside new reports and customisable templates that help control costs and provide supply forecasting and reordering information.
It also provides enhanced troubleshooting that should cut the volume of support calls by helping users figure out printer problems for themselves, said HP.
The HP Universal Printer Driver 4.0 adds a new plug and play capability for network and direct attached HP printers, as well as two separate operating modes and single-click print settings for common print jobs designed to increase user productivity.
Web Jetadmin 10 can be downloaded for free from 30 April.
