With the need for multiple printer brands, models, and devices within an organization to handle an assortment of printing needs, firms have become accustomed to supporting dozens (if not hundreds) of printer drivers as a necessary evil. This multi-driver environment results in higher costs, the negative aspects of which may have previously lacked consideration. With the arrival of the Universal Print Driver, this is an area where improvements can and must be made.

Hewlett-Packard recently announced the second iteration of its Universal Print Driver (UPD), which is focused on streamlining the print processes and operations within an organization by employing a single driver to handle all supported HP-branded devices. The benefits of a product like this appeared obvious. The necessary investment for UPD is minimal—the driver is essentially free, it requires little training, and it can be up and running within an organization in a matter of weeks. InfoTrends believed that the “return” on such an investment would be substantial for help desks and IT departments as well as end-users, offering a consistent printing experience across a multitude of devices. As this white paper will show, users are in fact experiencing a variety of benefits from this type of driver.