Xerox and Universal Print: a big win for IT professionals

[Xerox_UniversalPrint]

Ask IT Professionals what their biggest pain points are – and the story is always the same: time-consuming, tedious work that distracts from high-value, high-impact strategic projects.

Xerox is partnering with Microsoft to host print infrastructure in the cloud, eliminating the need for onsite print servers and installing printer drivers on Windows devices.

“Clients can redirect IT resources to more strategic business priorities by migrating their print infrastructure to a secure cloud environment.” – Bertrand Cerisier - VP Global Offer Marketing, Xerox.

Integrated with Microsoft 365, Universal Print provides centralized printer set-up, management and maintenance for Windows 10 devices.  

Stronger together: Universal Print with Xerox Workplace Cloud 

Universal Print by Microsoft, together with the Xerox Workplace Cloud print management solution, adds a comprehensive layer of security and control across the print environment. The Xerox Workplace Cloud also delivers cloud connectivity and support for client operating systems, including Mac, ChromeOS, iOS and Android.

Cloud-to-cloud integration unlocks advanced print management capabilities like full printer usage tracking, feature-packed print release, mobile print, and advanced security benefits.

Print to a single print queue and securely release jobs at any printer with a swipe of a badge or tap of the phone.    

 Additional advantages include:

• Card or mobile authentication for user access to the printer/MFP
• Pull Print to deliver secure release and cost control
• Reporting, accounting and user analytics to monitor print costs
• Print rules to limit print expenditure
• Printing from mobile devices for guest users
• Central configuration and management of printer security settings

Built on Microsoft Azure, Xerox Workplace Cloud offers a robust and dependable turnkey solution for Microsoft 365 users.

Direct cloud connectivity and simple setup

For native printer support, Xerox will provide a range of product firmware updates. The first range of products available with direct native support is the AltaLink 8100 Series of multifunction printers. The Universal Print ready printer range connects directly to a Microsoft 365 tenant. Once the printer is registered with Azure Active Directory it can be managed as a native Azure AD object, providing simple, trouble-free cloud printing.

All Xerox office devices are compatible with the Universal Print connector, so it is easy to get started with the standard Universal Print feature set today.

Learn more at https://aka.ms/UP_Xerox. 

[Bill Wesson]

Is there a list of printers that have DIRECT Universal Print rather than going through the Xerox cloud service?

[Javier_Alonso]

Direct Printer cloud connectivity and simple setup with Universal Print

For direct printer support, Xerox will provide a range of product firmware updates. The native Universal Print printer range connects directly to a Microsoft 365 tenant. The printer directly registers with Azure Active Directory and can be managed as a native Azure object, providing simple, trouble-free cloud printing.

All Xerox office devices are compatible with the Universal Print by Microsoft Connector so it’s easy to get started with the standard Universal Print feature set today.

[rajubabu]

I understand all Xerox devices are compatible via connector thats great but we have customers that would rather skip connector and use direct cloud printing but Xerox is not clearly stating which firmware updates contain the direct print protocols. Maybe a central location where MS and Xerox (as well as other printer vendors) should maintain a central database that we can check on to see compatability. 

[ND-AU]

A few months have passed but, like the poster above, I’m still not able to find clear answers for supported Xerox (Apeosport) devices.

We are going to do a bit of trial and error (including getting latest firmware in the hope it might include UP support) but it’s pretty disappointing that it’s not just documented AND that the article above mixes up the discussion of the new UP with traditional Xerox print services. I think most people would be reading this article to understand them seperately.

[George_Bauerschmidt]

Apparently there are still no answers to this question about supported devices or what is required to manage this feature.

I only see support for (AltaLink C8130 / C8135 / C8145 / C8155 / C8170 Color Multifunction Printer, AltaLink C81XX Family) but then there is a promise that All Xerox office devices are compatible with the Universal Print by Microsoft Connector printers are capable.

It is VERY disappointing that it’s not just documented. Hopefully someone that works with this daily can chime in and provide more details.