Every year, campus leaders face a familiar question: Is our print environment ready for what students, faculty, and staff will need next semester? 

But 2026 raises the stakes. Enrollment pressures, shifting budget cycles, accessibility requirements, and increasingly digital-first students are transforming how colleges and universities deliver information, services, and support. Print remains central to that mission, but only when it’s reliable, equitable, and built for modern campus life. 

This year-end checklist helps institutions assess where they stand today so campus leaders can build a stronger, more accessible, student-centered print strategy for 2026

Enterprises don’t struggle with technology volume — they struggle with technology variance. When every branch, department, or region uses different print devices, workflows, security settings, and service expectations, the real cost isn’t just inefficiency. It’s the erosion of trust. 

Standardization isn’t about limiting choice. It’s about creating consistency, reliability, and predictability — the operational pillars that drive enterprise-level confidence. Whether you manage 20 locations or 200, a unified print and document ecosystem builds trust across teams, strengthens compliance, and removes friction from everyday work. 

Below is how standardization delivers measurable ROI far beyond the devices themselves. 

Higher education in-plants do far more than produce course packets and event posters. They fuel the traditions, pride, and emotional connection that define campus life — and they do it quietly, consistently, and with deep service to students, faculty, alums, and the broader community. 

In-plants are often the unsung teams that keep the heartbeat of the campus running. Their work touches everything from admissions outreach to commencement memories, athletic spirit to annual giving campaigns. And when institutions invest in their in-plant operations, they aren’t just improving workflows; they’re strengthening loyalty, engagement, and long-term institutional success. 

Below is how in-plants deliver year-round value far beyond the press. 

Small and midsize businesses run lean. With limited time, tight budgets, and teams wearing multiple hats, even one technology disruption can derail the day. That’s why SMBs stay loyal to partners — not vendors. In a service-driven economy, the differentiator isn’t the device. It’s how you support people. 

Here’s how human-centered service creates real ROI for SMBs.

Clients don’t just hire a law firm for expertise — they hire it for confidence. And in an era of data breaches, AI-driven threats, and increasingly digital legal workflows, that confidence is tied directly to how well a firm protects sensitive information. Document security has evolved from a back-office IT issue to a front-line business strategy. Today, the firms that keep clients aren’t just the ones who win cases.They’re the ones who guard every file, form, and communication with uncompromising vigilance. 

Healthcare providers are required to protect patient information under HIPAA regulations. While most focus on digital cybersecurity, printed documents also create compliance risks. To stay secure, hospitals and clinics should use tools like pull-print authentication, encryption, and audit logs to safeguard both digital and print workflows. 

As August rolls in, the theme of “back to school” is everywhere — but it’s not just for students and teachers. Businesses, schools, and organizations alike can take inspiration from the season to refresh, upgrade, and optimize their technology. 

With hybrid work models, evolving cybersecurity threats, and the need for better collaboration tools, there’s never been a better time to give your IT infrastructure a fresh start. 

This month, SumnerOne is focused on helping businesses transition smoothly into the second half of the year with strategic IT services and technology upgrades that improve performance, security, and efficiency.