TL;DR
Enterprise IT is transforming with cloud, hybrid work, AI, and zero-trust security, yet print often lags behind. Legacy print systems create security gaps, hidden costs, and operational risks. Modernizing print through cloud-based management reduces IT overhead, strengthens security, supports hybrid work, improves visibility, and advances sustainability. Aligning print with broader IT strategies future-proofs the business.
Enterprise IT is evolving at a breakneck pace. Cloud adoption, hybrid work models, AI-driven workflows, and zero-trust security are reshaping how organizations operate. But while many companies are investing heavily in these areas, one piece of the puzzle is often overlooked: print infrastructure.
In this blog post, I’ll unpack the key insights from recent industry discussions about IT and enterprise printing—and why modernizing print is no longer optional.
IT Trends Defining the Future
Cloud Modernization
By 2027, more than 60% of businesses1 will have modernized up to 50% of their cloud architecture to encourage infrastructure and cost efficiency and enable business and technical innovation. Cloud isn’t just about storage or apps anymore—it’s the backbone for deploying technologies like AI, edge computing, and advanced security.
Hybrid Work Is Here to Stay
Despite back-to-office mandates, hybrid work continues to thrive. IDC research shows that 63% of employees report higher productivity2 when moving from onsite to hybrid work, while 61 percent report greater creativity. The workplace of the future is flexible, and IT must support employees wherever they are.
Security and Zero Trust
Cyber resilience is now a board-level issue. Nearly half of organizations plan to increase their budget for security, risk, and compliance. Zero Trust has moved from theory to practice, ensuring that identities, devices, and data are continuously verified across all environments.
AI and Intelligent Workflows
Artificial intelligence is driving a revolution in content-centric applications. Driven by advancements in GenAI capabilities, multimodal AI, and ecosystem maturity, 70% of organizations will expect IDP3 capabilities to be embedded directly within workflows by 2027.
Where Print Fits In
Print is still essential to daily business, but it’s often left behind when companies modernize. That creates risk.
- Legacy Systems: Most print environments haven’t been updated in a decade or more.
- Security Gaps: Printers are IoT devices—and unsecured ones at that. They often run outdated firmware and fall outside of zero-trust frameworks.
- Hidden Costs: Print can consume up to 4 percent of IT budgets when factoring in servers, maintenance, and support.
Modernizing print doesn’t mean buying new hardware. It means shifting to cloud-based print management, enabling print-from-anywhere capabilities, integrating with security policies, and gaining visibility into usage and costs.
The Risks of Standing Still
Organizations that delay print modernization face:
- Higher exposure to cyberattacks and compliance failures.
- Operational disruption when legacy systems fail.
- Mounting IT costs for maintaining outdated infrastructure.
- Misalignment with broader IT modernization strategies.
In short: print isn’t strategic—until it breaks. And when it does, it becomes a business-critical problem fast.
Making the Business Case
To win executive buy-in, connect print modernization to enterprise-wide goals:
- Security: Close vulnerabilities and align with zero-trust initiatives.
- Efficiency: Reduce costs by eliminating print servers and automating support.
- Productivity: Support hybrid work with seamless, secure printing anywhere.
- Visibility: Gain real-time insights into usage and optimize workflows.
- Sustainability: Cut waste and align with corporate ESG commitments.
Final Thoughts
Print may not grab headlines like AI or hybrid work, but it remains a core IT service. Modernizing it is key to reducing risk, freeing up IT resources, and unlocking new efficiencies. By shifting print to the cloud and aligning it with your broader IT strategy, you’re not just fixing a legacy process—you’re future-proofing your business.
Ready to see how modern print management can work for your organization?
Request a demo with Pharos today and take the first step toward secure, cloud-based print infrastructure.
- IDC FutureScape: Worldwide IT Industry 2025 Predictions, doc #US51736824, October 2024 ↩︎
- IDC, Worldwide Employee Experience Trends — Flexible Work Model, doc #US52943725, May 2025 ↩︎
- IDC FutureScape: Worldwide Intelligent Content Services and Knowledge Management 2025 Predictions, doc #US52170324, October 2024 ↩︎
