Why migrate your print servers when you can also remove them?
Why just migrate your print servers when you can also remove them?
Windows Server 2008 extended support will end on January 14, 2020. There is a lot that comes with a migration, despite a set of extensive tools that help during the process. Many larger organizations will seek out external support in order to migrate. However, this migration is absolutely necessary; according to Microsoft, “organizations can achieve concrete benefits, including improved performance, reduced maintenance requirements, and increased agility and speed of response to the business.” Here at LRS, we have a different take on how to accomplish all of the above. Instead of migrating all Windows print servers, we suggest eliminating them instead.
Looking at the migration path outlined by Microsoft, using Windows Server Migration Tools involves a number of steps (depending on the print server setup) for migrating to Windows Server 2012 R2. The entire process still refers to many other resources, which involve additional steps to perform and things to consider. It is a planning process that is likely to take time, but one that promises results. Still, the fact remains that each server will need to migrate, at each location, quite likely by a different person each time. That requires a lot of planning and resources if done in-house. Or it comes at a high price if this process is outsourced.
Considering this complexity, and the promise that in a couple of years it will have to be repeated, why not consider moving over to a single server printing solution instead? It is fairly simple compared to the Microsoft migration process. It also offers reduced IT administrator time for managing the print servers, not to mention the cost of storage and maintenance. Centralized print management has many benefits to large enterprises. So, when faced with a migration, wouldn’t this be a perfect time to switch and simplify the IT infrastructure by taking out multiple print servers? LRS offers easy migration in just a few steps.
A closer look at the migration process
Standard migration to LRS Workplace Printing entails five steps:
- Prepare one server (any platform) and install the LRS software
- Run an inventory of printers and printer drivers (tool provided)
- Upload drivers (tool provided) to the LRS server
- Migrate (tool provided)
- Done. You are now ready to remove the print servers.
Removing the print servers
After migrating to LRS, all other Windows print servers can be removed. This instantly results in a large decrease in costs for licensing, maintenance and storage as well as reduced environmental impact. All of these benefits are within reach, without much effort – all it takes is a few steps. As stated earlier, work becomes a lot easier for IT staff when they have only one server that allows them to manage printing from a central location.
So, when facing a big change involving print servers, you may want to consider simply removing them with the LRS Workplace Printing Solution for single server print management. Contact us and let us demonstrate how it works.