Printer Apps

If you’ve ever tried to streamline office workflows, you know how clunky printers and scanners can feel. Scanning, emailing, uploading, and renaming files are tasks that should take seconds. However, they often eat up way more time than they should. Printer apps are meant to solve this problem, but not all platforms are created equal.

Two prominent platforms are the Xerox App Gallery and Ricoh Smart Integration (RSI). Both platforms promise to turn your multifunction printer (MFP) into a productivity hub, offering apps and workflows that go far beyond “just printing.”

When most people think about cybersecurity, they picture firewalls, antivirus software, or maybe suspicious-looking emails. What usually doesn’t come to mind? The office printer. Yes, that inoffensive device in the corner of your office is actually a computer in disguise, and like any computer, it can be hacked.

That’s a real problem. In fact, a 2024 Quocirca study found that 67% of organizations experienced data loss due to print security failures in just the past year. Many of these stem from common printer security mistakes. That means if your business hasn’t thought about printer security, you’re already at risk.

For years, printers have had a reputation for being clunky, frustrating, and out of step with modern office needs. But that’s changing fast. Today’s printers, especially those powered by smart app ecosystems, can automate tasks, streamline workflows, and make life a whole lot easier.

But with two of the biggest players in the game, Xerox App Gallery and HP Workpath, how do you know which one fits your business best?

Before we dive in, we want to be transparent. We work with Xerox and specialize in their App Gallery. That said, our goal with this blog isn’t to sell you something; it’s to help you make an informed decision. Choosing the right platform matters, and if HP Workpath is the better fit for your team, we want you to know that too.

It’s safe to say printers have always had a bit of a bad rep. Everyone thinks they’re slow, expensive, and stuck in the past. While that’s not totally off-base, things are changing. Modern printers, especially those equipped with ConnectKey® technology, are even more powerful when paired with the right apps.

Did you know that Xerox printers can scan directly into SharePoint? Or automatically redact sensitive information? Or simplify printing without needing to call IT? Most people don’t. And that’s partly because office tech still makes you jump through hoops. Even when printer manufacturers offer “apps,” they’re often clunky, limited, or too basic to make a real difference.

Office printers are often the most underutilized piece of tech in the workplace. They sit there quietly, doing their one job, while your team juggles tedious workflows, document bottlenecks, and time-wasting manual tasks. Ever had to dig through your email to find a document just so you could print it, only to realize it wasn’t the latest version? Or worse, waste 10 minutes trying to fax something through a clunky analog line? Yeah, we've been there too.

As long-time Xerox partners and print technology experts, we’ve spent years helping businesses get the most out of their Xerox multifunction printers. What many people don’t realize is that these machines can do a lot more than print, scan, and copy. Thanks to the Xerox App Gallery, your MFP can become a smart assistant that automates repetitive tasks and keeps your office humming.