How does cloud printing work?
Smartphones and tablets typically have no printing system of their own or only have such a limited system that they hardly support any current printers. How can you print from a device that cannot actually print? The answer: cloud printing.
As smartphones and tablets are constantly evolving, so is their functionality. These devices are increasingly becoming notebook replacements and constant companions in everyday business life. However, one important feature is missing: the ability to print. Despite the digital age there are many situations where a printout is required, often immediately. Printouts are required to sign contracts, present vouchers, archive records or simply to easily read long documents in paper format. This is where cloud printing comes into play.
Printing from the cloud - independent of device, printer and document type
While other cloud printing solutions limit printouts to printers supporting a particular technology of that provider or connect to a powered-on PC, Cortado takes a completely different approach. Here the user can use any printer which is accessible to the mobile device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
The cornerstone of the solution is the personal, password-protected storage in the Cortado cloud. This is automatically set up free for each user with installation of the Workplace app on the mobile device, offering a central storage space for files. The user can upload files to the Cortado directory from both the mobile device as well as a PC or Mac.
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Choose document
When the user wants to print, he needs only to choose print in the document and then select the Cortado ‘Print’ option. The document - if not already saved to the cloud directory – is loaded to the Cortado cloud and the relevant app for editing.
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Choose printer
Now the user indicates whether he would like to print via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. In most cases, Cortado then automatically finds the printer. Only in individual cases, if for example the administrator blocks auto-discovery of printers on the Wi-FI network, or if the hardware does not support this, then the printer's IP address must be entered manually.
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Set printer driver
When the user has chosen a printer he needs only select the appropriate printer driver. The print job is then created using this printer driver in the Cortado cloud and sent via the mobile device to the selected printer. Shortly after, a printout as good as the original can be collected at the printer.
Currently Cortado hosts over 5,000 printer drivers covering thousands of printers from over 90 manufacturers worldwide. If a printer driver is missing, the user can simply report this. Cortado will then add the printer driver as soon as possible.
Printers of manufacturers who are members of the Cloud Printing Alliance are particularly suitable for printing. Working closely with Cortado ensures that new printer models of Alliance partners are fully supported and printer drivers suitable for cloud printing are used. Recommended printers of Alliance members can be recognized by the ‘Cortado Cloud Printing Ready’ logo.
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