HP Inc has commenced discrete trials in the channel for its “Roam” cloud printing product.
Roam takes inventory of an organisation's printer fleet so that as users move to different offices, they are advised of the available machines. Printer selection is simplified so that users don’t see a list of printers, they are instead told of the capabilities of locally available devices they are permitted to use.
The tool has been available in various territories for some time, but HP executives at Ingram Micro’s ONE APAC Event in Singapore today told CRN Australia that a small group of local partners are now testing the service in Australia.
The product should interest the channel for a few reasons, among them an upsell opportunity for existing users of HP Inc printers.
A second opportunity is organisations like Officeworks that could offer Roam as an easier way for the general public to access its printing on-demand services.
A third scenario could see any public venue install HP printers, adopt Roam and offer printing-as-a-service. Such venues could even hook into big HP users to offer printing services that are charged back to corporates.
The scenarios above are hypothetical - CRN Australia has no knowledge of any discussions between HP and Officeworks or cafes. But HP staff suggested such deals were the kind of thing Roam’s debut in Australia would be able to do.
Partners will need to hold their breath for such opportunities as we were told the testing has only just begun and the product’s full debut in Australia cannot be expected until March or April 2019.
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