In today’s increasingly digital and hybrid work environments, managing print and scan workflows can be complex, time-consuming, and expensive—especially for businesses with distributed teams or multiple office locations. Enter uniFLOW Online—Canon’s cloud-based print and scan management solution designed to simplify, secure, and streamline document handling across your entire organization.
Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, uniFLOW Online can help you gain better control over your printing infrastructure, reduce costs, boost productivity, and enhance security.
What is uniFLOW Online?
uniFLOW Online is a secure, serverless cloud-based platform that manages print, scan, and device access for businesses of all sizes. Developed by NT-ware (a Canon Group Company), it’s designed to simplify IT management by removing the need for on-site print servers while giving users powerful tools to control printing costs, improve document security, and increase productivity.
Because it operates in the cloud, uniFLOW Online is especially valuable for businesses with remote workers, multi-site operations, or limited IT resources. It works seamlessly with Canon multifunction printers (MFPs) and supports a wide range of workflows including secure print release, mobile printing, cloud scanning, and detailed reporting.
Key Features of uniFLOW Online
1. Secure Print Release
Users can send print jobs to a universal queue and release them from any connected Canon device after authentication. This reduces the risk of sensitive documents being left unattended on printers and helps ensure confidentiality.
2. Anywhere Printing
Whether your employees are working from home, a client site, or another office, uniFLOW Online lets them send print jobs from any location and release them when they reach the office printer. It supports:
- Printing from desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones
- Integration with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and cloud storage
- Driverless printing via Universal Print by Microsoft
3. Cost Tracking and Reporting
uniFLOW Online gives administrators detailed insight into print usage, costs, and device utilization. You can track who is printing what, where, and how often—helping you implement cost-saving strategies like user quotas, print policies, or default duplex printing.
4. Cloud Scanning and Document Distribution
Users can scan documents directly to popular cloud platforms like Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, SharePoint, and more. Custom scan workflows simplify document routing, reduce manual entry errors, and support digital transformation efforts.
5. User Authentication
To enhance security, uniFLOW Online supports multiple methods of authentication including PIN codes, ID cards, and mobile apps. You can control access by user or group, ensuring only authorized personnel can use specific features or devices.
Benefits of uniFLOW Online for Your Office
1. Serverless Simplicity
One of the biggest advantages of uniFLOW Online is that it eliminates the need for costly and complex on-premise print servers. With everything managed in the cloud, there’s less hardware to maintain, fewer updates to manage, and reduced pressure on internal IT teams.
2. Improved Security
Data security is a top concern for modern businesses, especially with remote work becoming more common. uniFLOW Online ensures that print data is encrypted during transfer and stored securely. Secure print release and user authentication prevent unauthorized access to printed materials.
3. Enhanced Flexibility
uniFLOW Online is built for today’s flexible workstyles. Whether employees are hot-desking, working from home, or on the move, they can still print securely to a company device and access documents from anywhere. This makes it ideal for hybrid and mobile teams.
4. Lower Operational Costs
By providing insights into print behavior and enforcing policies (like double-sided printing or black-and-white defaults), uniFLOW Online helps reduce unnecessary printing. Tracking and allocation of costs per user, department, or project can also help recover expenses or optimize budgeting.
5. Scalable and Easy to Deploy
uniFLOW Online is ideal for businesses that are growing or have multiple locations. New devices or users can be added easily, and there’s no need for dedicated IT support at each site. This centralized approach simplifies deployment and management, even in large or distributed organizations.
Integration with Canon Devices and Cloud Ecosystems
uniFLOW Online is optimized for Canon’s multifunction devices, giving users access to advanced print, scan, and finishing features directly from the printer interface. It also integrates with popular platforms like:
- Microsoft 365
- Google Workspace
- Dropbox
- Box
- OneDrive
- SharePoint
With these integrations, scanning to or printing from the cloud becomes seamless, enhancing digital workflows and collaboration.
Getting Started with uniFLOW Online
Deployment of uniFLOW Online is straightforward. Most businesses can get up and running in a matter of hours—not days. The platform is managed through a user-friendly web portal, and updates happen automatically in the cloud. Canon partners and resellers can help with initial configuration and ongoing support.
If your office already uses Canon MFPs, you may already have the necessary hardware compatibility to enable uniFLOW Online with minimal changes. For others, this may be the perfect time to upgrade to a more integrated and cloud-ready solution.
Final Thoughts
In a world where agility, security, and cost-efficiency are top priorities, uniFLOW Online offers a modern solution to an age-old problem—managing print and scan workflows. By moving your print infrastructure to the cloud, you gain greater control, enhanced security, and the flexibility to support a hybrid workforce.
Whether you’re a small business looking to reduce printing costs or a large organization seeking better oversight across multiple offices, uniFLOW Online can streamline your office printing—and help your business run smarter.
