Only available as a private preview at present
Companies migrating to cloud with Microsoft 365 have long needed a simple, easy-to-use printing experience for their employees. Microsoft is currently working on the Beta version of Universal Print which will be the answer to this demand.
Universal Print is a modern printing solution that organizations can use to manage their printing infrastructure through Microsoft's cloud services. This new integrated service runs entirely on your directory Azure Active Directory (AAD). When deployed with Universal Print-enabled printers, it requires no local infrastructure. In case some printers are not compatible it is possible to use a connection software (Universal Print Connector).
Benefits of this future solution
A print infrastructure based on Microsoft's cloud that will enable a simple, rich and secure printing experience for users and help reduce time and effort for IT.
Architecture
Features
Universal Print moves key printing functionality from Windows Server to cloud Microsoft 365 , so organizations no longer need local print servers and do not need to install printer drivers on devices. In addition, Universal Print adds key features such as security groups for printer access, location-based printer discovery and rich administrator experience.
IT organizations can deploy printers and register them with the Universal Print service without the need for a complex hybrid printing setup. In addition, printers can be pre-configured and are easily detectable from Windows devices that are attached to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD ). Users can continue to print from their Windows or Office devices as they always have, with no learning curve.
You will get the best experience cloud with printers that natively support Universal Print. Microsoft is currently working with their partner ecosystem to offer the latest printers with native support.
"As a school with limited IT resources, we were pleased with the ease of installation and printing with Universal Print...plus, we didn't have to make any changes to end-user devices, which saved us a lot of time."
Brian Hoyt, IT Director, French American School - Puget Sound
Prerequisites
For existing printers, you can simply use a Universal Print Connector proxy application that connects the printers to Universal Print (see architecture diagram above)
If your organization or school wants to deploy Universal Print, you must have Windows 10 Enterprise or Education, version 1903 or later and have a tenant Azure Active Directory (any edition). Universal Print does not require Windows Server .
For more details on features and requirements, see the Universal Print documentation.
We are lucky enough to be a beta tester of this solution
Please feel free to send us your questions or suggestions so that we can submit them to Microsoft or give you feedback.