Modern Print Readiness in Cairns: Why Your Business Needs to Act Now

For Cairns and Far North Queensland businesses, this is not just an upgrade—it’s a critical IT and cybersecurity decision that directly impacts operations, security, and future scalability.

What Is Modern Print Readiness?

Modern Print Readiness refers to aligning your print environment with Microsoft’s Modern Print Platform (MPP)—a cloud-first system designed to replace outdated V3 print drivers with secure, driverless technologies such as IPP and Universal Print.

At the centre of this change is:

• Windows Protected Print (WPP) – blocks legacy drivers and enforces secure, class-based printing
• Universal Print – Microsoft’s cloud-based print management platform
• IPP printing – secure, driverless communication between devices and printers

What this means for your business:
Your printers, drivers, and print workflows must all be compatible with this new model—or they may fail when updates are enforced.

Why This Matters for Cairns Businesses Right Now

Microsoft is already rolling out these changes in Windows 11, and over time, legacy print drivers will be disabled by default.

If your business relies on:

• Older photocopiers
• Mixed driver environments
• On-premise print servers
• Remote or hybrid staff

You are at high risk of disruption.

The Risks of Not Being Print Ready

If your environment is not aligned with Modern Print:

• Print queues may stop working overnight
• Legacy printers may become unsupported
• Security vulnerabilities may remain unpatched
• Remote printing may fail

Microsoft is pushing this change as part of its Zero Trust security model, meaning print is now part of your cybersecurity strategy—not just IT infrastructure.

The Benefits of a Modern Print Environment

✅ Stronger Security

• End-to-end encryption of print jobs
• Removal of insecure legacy drivers
• Alignment with compliance standards

✅ Cloud-Ready & Future-Proof

• Works with Microsoft 365, Azure AD, and Intune
• Supports hybrid and remote teams
• No dependency on print servers

✅ Simpler Management

• No driver installs per device
• Consistent behaviour across printers
• Centralised cloud management

✅ Lower Costs & Risk

• Reduced IT support time
• No print server maintenance
• Less downtime and fewer print issues

Modern Print Readiness Checklist

Here’s a quick way to assess where your business stands:

1. Infrastructure

• Are you still using V3 or V4 drivers?
• Do you know which printers rely on legacy drivers?

2. Platform Alignment

• Does your current print solution support Universal Print?
• Is your environment ready for cloud printing?

3. Migration Planning

• Have you identified printer exceptions (specialty printers)?
• Do you have an IT partner to manage the transition?

How Canon and uniFLOW Online Support Modern Print

Canon’s modern print solutions—particularly uniFLOW Online—are already aligned with Microsoft’s MPP strategy.

They provide:

• Cloud-based print management
• Secure print release and tracking
• Compatibility with Universal Print
• Seamless transition from legacy environments

This allows businesses to move to driverless, secure printing without disruption.

Why This Is More Than a Print Upgrade

Modern Print should be treated as a strategic IT upgrade, not just a printer refresh.

It directly connects to:

• Your cybersecurity posture
• Your Microsoft 365 environment
• Your remote workforce capability
• Your long-term IT scalability

How Brilliant Technologies Helps Cairns Businesses Get Print Ready

At Brilliant Technologies, we help local Cairns and FNQ businesses:

• Audit your current print environment
• Identify legacy risks and compatibility issues
• Plan and stage your Modern Print rollout
• Implement Canon and cloud print solutions
• Provide ongoing IT and print support

Locals supporting locals, with solutions built for real-world business environments in Far North Queensland.

Want to Check Your Print Readiness?

The best time to act is now—before changes are forced on your environment.

Contact Brilliant Technologies today to assess your current print setup and create a secure, future-ready solution tailored for your Cairns business.