Everything You Should Know About Microsoft Windows Protected Print (WPP)

Written by

Read This About Enabling Windows Protected Print (WPP)

On October 1, 2024, Microsoft launched Windows Protected Print Mode (WPP), a security-enhanced printing platform to prevent future print vulnerabilities and attacks, like PrintNightmare in 2021. This vulnerability allowed attackers access to remotely execute exploitative code through Windows print spoolers.

Microsoft identified that most printing vulnerabilities were caused by older drivers, which are incompatible with many modern security migrations. Their solution is to block the use of third-party drivers and instead default to IPP printing only. This will prevent any installs of IP/TCP printers and direct IP printing in your existing print stack.

Microsoft released WPP on October 1 as part of their Windows 11 version 24H2 security baseline release. WPP is not enabled by default at this time, but the plan is that WPP will be the default configuration by 2027—dates subject to change. 

Why Vasion Print Customers Don’t Need to Enable WPP

Vasion Print customers’ print stack is already secure and protected:

  1. You’ve eliminated your print servers. 
  2. Vasion Print verifies and permits the installation of certified drivers only.
  3. You have full centralized control over all drivers to verify only certified drivers are in use.
  4. You can configure Vasion Print to prevent the installation of drivers from outside our system. 

Because of this, during the height of PrintNightmare, none of our customers were affected by the vulnerability. 

While WPP is not enabled by default at this time, we recommend holding off from enabling Windows Protected Print Mode. We are updating Vasion Print to be compatible with WPP to ensure you have no disruptions if you enable it in the future. 

You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers

Q: Do I need to enable WPP to ensure my print environment is secure?

A: No. With Vasion Print, you are already secure. By eliminating your print servers, you’ve also eliminated a major attack surface in your print environment. 

Q: How will Windows Protected Print Mode affect my print environment if enabled? 

A: By enabling WPP, you’ll end up being unable to manage the Windows machines that have WPP enabled. You also lose access to many advanced features because WPP doesn’t support them. 

  • Installation Restrictions: It will disable your ability to install any TCP or IP printers and print from those ports, as it only allows for IPP printing. 
  • Driver and Queue Removal: It will automatically remove all existing drivers and print queues from your environment 
  • Reconfiguration Required: It will require you to reconfigure all print queues to an IPP port only. 

Q: How do I know if my printers support WPP?

A: WPP supports any Mopria-certified printers. Luckily, all popular printer manufacturer brands have certified their products with Mopria, so this should not be cause for concern. To find out which of your printers meet this certification, review their certified product list. 

Q: Does Vasion Print support Windows Protected Print Mode? 

A: We are updating Vasion Print to be compatible with WPP mode to ensure no disruptions to your print environment. We will follow up with additional updates as we continue to progress. 

Q: What if I’ve already enabled WPP?

A: You probably noticed that any TCP/IP printer, queue, or third-party driver disappeared from your printer list and direct IP printing stopped working altogether. But no worry, this is reversible. 

First, disable the WPP settings. Then, any previously deployed printers and queues will be restored. However, manually uploaded printers can not be restored and must be added again. If you need assistance, please contact Vasion’s Support team. 

Q: Who should I reach out to if I have additional questions?

A: Please reach out to Vasion’s Support team if you have any questions or concerns.

What is Print Workflow Automation?

Written by

Today’s enterprises are constantly seeking new ways to increase efficiency, productivity, and security, all while decreasing costs. Though it’s an ambitious goal, it’s also essential for staying ahead in an increasingly competitive and volatile business landscape.

Thankfully, print workflow automation helps organizations streamline complex processes and increase accuracy, even when (and especially when) they’re strapped for time and resources.

By leveraging the latest AI and automation technologies, print workflow automation software makes the entire printing process a breeze. Now, let’s get into the details, including what print workflow automation is and how it benefits enterprise-level organizations.


Print Workflow Automation Explained

Print workflow automation is a web-based, no-code software solution that helps streamline and optimize print production. Also known as print management or outpoint management, it automates tasks, including print job scheduling, routing, delivery, and others. It’s a secure, scalable, print solution that helps businesses save time, reduce errors, and lower printing costs.

Here are some of the key features of print workflow automation.

  • Document automation: eliminates manual processing bottlenecks
  • Advanced reporting: helps identify workflows that need to be expedited or rerouted
  • User task lists: ensure workflows are managed correctly
  • Auditing and reporting: features that enforce compliance and regulatory standards
  • Tracking and notifications: increase transparency and erase silos
  • Native connectors: effortlessly integrate workflows with existing applications

Features like mobile capture, scanning, and eSignatures further enhance print processes and connect departments across the organization. With seamless third-party integrations, print workflow automation is one of the most user-friendly workflow builders on the market.

4 Benefits of Print Workflow Automation

There’s a reason the print management industry is growing rapidly. The market is expected to reach $118.27 billion by 2031, largely fueled by the increased demand to optimize budgets and print processes.

Businesses that invest in print workflow automation enjoy benefits such as streamlined print operations, reduced costs, increased visibility, and enhanced security, to name a few.

1. Streamlined Operations

Most workers say they don’t have enough time to focus during the workday, yet the demand for increased productivity is higher than ever. This is why print automation is so valuable—it saves IT professionals and business leaders and their teams valuable time that is often wasted on inefficient printing.

With print workflow automation software, users can easily export and print data from multiple applications for reporting, storing, version control, and more. A highly visible, unified, native printing experience makes the whole process completely seamless, meaning fewer IT tickets and fewer headaches across the organization. 

2. Reduced Costs

Centralizing print management allows companies to have better control over their printing infrastructure, which helps reduce overall costs by minimizing waste and the need for IT support. Because printing is done efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively, businesses can reduce spending on printers, printing supplies, and costly print servers.

3. Increased Visibility

Nearly one-third of all business leaders are looking to AI to help increase employee productivity without increasing headcount. They want to use it to save time, help teams work smarter, and eliminate busy work. 

Here’s the good news: AI is up for the challenge. Print workflow automation allows businesses to scale using insights only available with the help of AI. Rather than relying on siloed, disparate systems, it offers businesses unparalleled visibility for generating, storing, and sending documents. With print management, organizations get the data needed to pivot, grow, and make a measurable impact.

4. Enhanced Security

Over 40% of organizations have had an IT security breach in the last 12 months, and security breaches have increased for 70% of U.S. businesses in 2024. This dramatic rise in cybersecurity threats is causing enterprises to rethink their print processes, with 79% increasing their print security spending.

Print workflow automation software aids businesses in addressing these concerns, helping to increase security and meet ever-evolving compliance and regulatory requirements. Secure printing options like pull printing and user authentication help protect sensitive documents and prevent unauthorized access. Unsurprisingly, organizations that invest in print management services are considered print security leaders.

 

Empower Your Business with Print Workflow Automation

Print management solutions empower enterprises to overcome the many challenges that come with outdated printing processes, such as costly equipment, disparate systems, complex security needs, and limited resources.

By streamlining document workflows, businesses can transform their print environment from a cumbersome burden to a powerful tool for efficiency, productivity, and ongoing success.

Ready to optimize your printing and reduce costs? Book a demo today to learn more about PrinterLogic, a powerful workflow management solution that eliminates information silos and connects your entire organization.

Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Output Management

Written by

Output management solutions spiked in popularity during the COVID pandemic, and they’re becoming increasingly common. By 2032, the market for output management software will likely hit USD $9.9 billion. If you haven’t jumped on board yet and still need clarity, we’re here to give you a foundational understanding of output management by answering the most commonly asked questions about output management software. 

 

Output Management FAQs

1. What is output management?

Output management is a type of software that manages the creation, distribution, formatting, storage, security, and archiving of documents. All these functions are managed from a centralized platform. Because output management solutions can handle both physical and digital documents, companies can unify print management and document management systems in a single solution. 

Output management is often confused with print management. While there’s a lot of overlap, there are some critical differences. Print management deals with documents that are physically printed. From sending the print job to the printer and managing printing devices to managing print workflows and tracking printing quotas, print management software is certainly valuable. However, output management does all that and more. In addition to all of the capabilities that print management has, output management software also manages digital documents and offers additional features for security, visibility, workflow simplification, and device-neutral delivery.

 

 

2. What are the benefits of output management? 

Companies reap many benefits from investing in an output management system. One of the most immediate benefits is more efficient workflows. Output management systems automate and streamline document delivery options to digital storage and email. Automation helps reduce document mishandling while optimizing printing processes. Also, when installing output management software, companies can connect processes from legacy applications, which helps streamline workflows and keep projects organized. 

Another benefit of output management is visibility. Dynamic print reports allow companies to track and monitor user-level print activity on both back- and front-end printing. These reports offer visibility into cost-reduction opportunities, user behavior, problems with documents reaching their destination, and delivery methods. When companies understand this data, they can keep documents safe while making them more easily accessible. 

Security is another major advantage of output management software. These systems enforce security policies and protect sensitive information by implementing access controls, encryption, off-network printing, and secure release printing. For companies in heavily regulated industries, output management systems also help keep your company safe with compliance features. Ranging from manufacturing and healthcare regulations like Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), to general data protection such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), output management’s traceability ensures compliance across your organization.

 

 

3. Can an output management system integrate with our existing ERP, CRM, and other business systems?

Yes, absolutely! One of the strengths of output management systems is that they centralize all printing operations. This includes connecting to many other systems, including enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), electronic medical records (EMR), electronic health records (EHR), document management systems (DMS), and more. PrinterLogic’s Output Management integrates well with Epic, Oracle Health, and SAP systems.

 

4. How does the output management system ensure secure and uninterrupted printing, especially in SAP environments?

Output management systems are great for ensuring secure and uninterrupted printing. Output management systems ensure print jobs are received and delivered by using automated failover scenarios to protect critical operations. 

In SAP environments specifically, output management helps ensure smooth and secure printing by integrating with SAP products. When output management systems integrate with SAP products, the two solutions can work together to deliver documents securely in a device-neutral environment. PrinterLogic’s Output Management solution works with SAP to route print jobs, spin up multiple Service Clients to achieve redundancy and high availability, and store and analyze the print job metadata. For more details, read our blog post that goes more in-depth about how PrinterLogic’s Output Management system provides failsafes to make sure your SAP print jobs are secure and uninterrupted.

 

5. Can the output management system provide a unified platform for managing both administrative and clinical printing, especially in specialized industries like healthcare?

Yes, output management systems are perfect for providing a unified platform for managing administrative and clinical printing, especially in industries such as healthcare. Output management systems can manage both administrative and clinical printing because they have both on-premises and cloud-based capabilities. Companies can integrate their output management software with Epic or other healthcare document software to unify all forms of healthcare print management, including Epic clinical and general office printing. This centralized print management approach eliminates the need to deploy drivers and queues to print servers altogether.

 

Want to Learn More About Output Management?

PrinterLogic’s Output Management system is here to help propel your business processes forward. Centralized control, enhanced efficiency, and strengthened security are just a few of the benefits of our Output Management software. To learn more about how PrinterLogic’s Output Management can centralize and protect your documents, schedule a free demo today.