Enterprise IT teams are constantly balancing security, usability, and operational continuity. Microsoft’s new Windows Protected Print Mode, a driverless, IPP-only approach to printing, denotes a key step forward for print security. While this change promises stronger safeguards, it also introduces challenges for enterprise environments, especially those that have complex back-end workflows or have heavy SAP printing requirements.
LRS recently hosted a webinar on this topic. Here are some key takeaways that might help you as your organization prepares for the driverless future of print, and/or is beginning to consider it.
What Is Windows Protected Print Mode?
Windows Protected Print Mode is what Microsoft is doing to eliminate the vulnerabilities and inconsistencies tied to traditional print drivers. Instead of relying on vendor-specific drivers, this new model uses Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) as the universal standard.
This might seem like a win for security and compatibility; however, organizations might face some tougher questions:
- Will all printers in use support IPP?
- What happens to custom print workflows?
- How will non-Windows and SAP environments be affected?
- What are the risks of doing nothing?
For many organizations, the move to driverless print won’t be seamless. If you are not prepared, you might find you have incompatible printers that cannot communicate under the new model or may learn that advanced features such as finishing options or secure document release no longer work. Any of these conditions can lead to broken back-end workflows that interrupt production and office operations. Finally, you can experience costly downtime if your critical documents cannot be printed on demand.
These risks are particularly serious in SAP and HER/EMR environments, where printing supports essential business processes such as order fulfillment, shipping, and invoicing. Likewise, in the case of healthcare organizations, labels, wristbands, and other timely patient-centric documents may fail to print, which directly affects patient care.
Front-End vs. Back-End Printing
One of the most important distinctions raised in the webinar is between front-end (desktop) printing and back-end (system) printing. While Protected Print Mode primarily impacts Windows desktop users, the ripple effects reach deep into the enterprise when SAP or other non-Windows platforms are involved. Organizations should evaluate how both ends of the workflow are connected, and where gaps could appear.
Planning Your Transition
Preparation is the key to success. LRS recommends that enterprises should begin by:
- Assessing printer compatibility across all locations and departments
- Mapping existing workflows to identify potential breakpoints
- Exploring solutions that bridge Windows, SAP, and non-Windows environments under the driverless model
This is where LRS Output Management solutions can help. By eliminating device complexity and centralizing print workflows, LRS ensures that your business keeps running, even as underlying platforms evolve.
How LRS Can Help
LRS will continue to manage:
- Printer installation
- Security via encryption at rest and/or in motion
- Data stream conversion
- Policy enforcement
- Access control
- Specialized print application
Standardization Matters: Mopria and Beyond
Another bright spot in the discussion is the growing role of the Mopria Alliance, which works to standardize printing and scanning across brands and platforms. LRS is Mopria Certified, meaning our solutions align with industry standards to simplify the driverless transition. LRS is actively developing a robust WPP Mopria-compatible solution that will allow an organization to work as it always has.
The Bottom Line
Driverless printing is both a challenge and an opportunity. With the right planning and solutions in place, organizations can strengthen security, streamline infrastructure, and future-proof their print environments.
LRS is here to help you navigate these changes and maintain the secure, reliable output your business relies on.