According to Quocirca studies, cost control, security, and AI-enabled document processes are shaping the future of cloud print
Konica Minolta has been positioned as a Leader in the Quocirca Cloud Print Services Landscape 2026 for the third consecutive year. According to the international market research firm, “Konica Minolta stands out for its cloud-first, security-led approach, combining cloud print, workflow, fax, device monitoring, and zero trust-aligned controls across a hybrid, multi-cloud architecture. Its strength lies in bringing print and document workflow into a unified, cloud-enabled MFP ecosystem, with strong appeal for regulated and security-sensitive environments.”
For the report, Quocirca examined the cloud print strategies of leading OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and ISVs (Independent Software Vendors). The report is based on vendor assessments as well as several end-user studies involving a total of several hundred IT decision-makers. The findings show that “cloud print adoption has reached the mainstream”: Already 78% of organizations are using cloud-based print management at least partially today. At the same time, demands for cost efficiency, security, and intelligent document processes continue to increase.
Between Cost Pressure and Security Requirements
The findings of the Quocirca study show that organizations are increasingly evaluating their print infrastructure from both an economic and security perspective.
A total of 41% of respondents cite controlling costs as their biggest challenge – three percentage points more than in the previous year, rising to 46% among midmarket organizations. At the same time, 37% cite the costs of purchasing and maintaining on-premise print servers. Local print infrastructure is becoming an increasing challenge, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. “Energy consumption, resilience, and administrative overhead are key contributors.” With cloud-based print management platforms such as Workplace Pure and SAFEQ Cloud, Konica Minolta directly addresses these challenges: They replace traditional print servers, automate administration and maintenance, and optimize the print environment through centralized monitoring and management. In addition, Quocirca highlights that the flexible, subscription-based pricing model “makes it easier for businesses to scale and budget for cloud adoption”.
Security is also a key focus for organizations. 38% see securing and managing printing across a hybrid workforce as a major challenge. In addition, 25% identified improving print security as a priority for 2026. Finally, 34% cited data security and privacy in the cloud as the biggest barrier to adopting cloud print management. Among large organizations, concerns regarding data governance and sovereignty were also cited most frequently, at 20%. According to Quocirca, Konica Minolta addresses these requirements with a zero trust cloud architecture. “End-to-end encryption, secure cloud authentication, global compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, NIST 800-53, CJIS, ISO 27001), and automated cloud-based firmware updates with AI-driven threat detection keep MFPs continuously protected.” Also part of this security approach is Shield Guard, a cloud-based security platform for compatible bizhub systems. According to Quocirca, it “provides continuous visibility into device security status, delivers real-time alerts in the event of potential incidents, and can automatically initiate predefined mitigation measures.”
According to Quocirca, these findings show that organizations “remain cautious about relinquishing control over cost, security, and data governance. As a result, hybrid models dominate.”
Cloud Print and AI-Enabled Document Capture Are Converging
Another key priority for 2026, according to Quocirca, is implementing better solutions to integrate print and scan workflows (28%). In addition, more than three quarters (77%) of organizations expect an increase in the adoption of cloud capture over the next 12 months. According to Quocirca, this “transition is increasingly characterized by the adoption of AI-enabled solutions that move beyond basic digitization to offer intelligent document processing (IDP).” At the same time, “scan volumes are also rising, with 66% expecting increased MFP usage”. According to Quocirca, “the consolidation of print and capture into a unified, AI-supported infrastructure is expected to rise.” Konica Minolta follows precisely this approach with its cloud-based document and workflow solutions. Workplace Pure, for example, “Konica Minolta’s own-IP-based cloud services platform, provides a range of digital services to simplify document-related workflows.” The cloud-based platform combines cloud printing, document capture, document management, cloud fax, and workflow services within a centralized environment, helping organizations transition their document processes into an integrated cloud infrastructure.
Konica Minolta as a Partner for Cloud Transformation
Konica Minolta’s renewed positioning as a Leader reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting organizations throughout this journey – from modernizing print infrastructure to delivering intelligent, secure, and cloud-based document processing. Quocirca summarizes the value of Konica Minolta’s solutions as follows: “Konica Minolta helps organizations reduce costs, mitigate cyber risks, prevent unauthorized access, and streamline document processes.”
