Google Cloud Print Shutdown | callin.io Community

Could you please specify where you encountered this? I haven't found any information about it online.

Received the following email message from Google:

Hello Google Administrator,

We are writing to inform you that Google Cloud Print, our cloud-based printing solution that has been in beta since 2010, will no longer be supported after December 31, 2020. Starting January 1, 2021, devices across all operating systems will be unable to print using Google Cloud Print. We advise that over the next year, you identify an alternative solution and implement a migration strategy.

What information do I need?

We encourage you to utilize each operating system’s native printing capabilities and/or collaborate with a print solutions provider. Discover more about transitioning from Cloud Print to native printing.

For our Chrome Enterprise and Education administrators

Given the increasing adoption of Chromebooks across organizations, we have invested in enhancements for native printing on Chrome OS, including:

• A native print solution for Chrome OS. In 2017, we introduced support for printing via USB or a local network using CUPS (Common Unix Printing System).
• A management solution for printing with Chromebooks. If you are using Chrome devices with Chrome Enterprise or Education Upgrade or have Chromebook Enterprise devices, you can administer native printing for Chrome OS. We plan to integrate additional enterprise-class features and connection points with print servers and print solution providers.
• Significant investments in printing ecosystem partnerships. We are collaborating with existing Cloud Print OEMs and print solution providers to ensure their print offerings are compatible with Chromebooks natively.

To find out more about Chrome OS native printing and alternative print solutions, please visit our Help Center. Follow the Chrome Enterprise release notes to monitor the progress of upcoming print feature releases that may support your migration path.

For our Android Enterprise administrators

Printing on Android is supported via printing applications since Android 8.0. Several printer OEMs offer common support through the Mopria Print Service app; however, other OEM applications might be available. If you are utilizing an Android Enterprise EMM, you can streamline printing support by deploying a printing application compatible with your print OEMs’. Kindly contact your printer OEM for details regarding application support and your EMM for information on application distribution.

We are available to assist

If you are a Google administrator and require assistance, you have several options:

• Contact your printer hardware OEM, designated reseller, or print solution provider for support with your migration.
• Connect with your assigned Google Customer Success Manager.
• For technical assistance with migration challenges, please call or submit a support case via enterprise support (reference ID: 144580681).

Sincerely,

Google Printing Team

oh, bummer 😞 It's surprising that hasn't caused issues on any sites yet. I'm not aware of any alternatives. Hopefully, someone will emerge to fill that gap.

The good news is that they are providing a year's notice, as it won't be shutting down until January 1, 2021.

If I remember correctly, when I was searching for a remote printing solution that integrates with callin.io, there weren't many choices available.

This is quite unfortunate. I have a client who depends on GCP for their critical label printing operations. As mentioned, at least they've provided a year's notice. I anticipate a replacement solution will emerge, though it will likely come with a cost.

It's rather amusing that they'll be ceasing operations after an impressive 11-year beta phase!

The notion of a "Google Success Manager" also strikes me as quite humorous. To my understanding, obtaining support from them typically involved posting on their forum and hoping for a favorable outcome.

When you have a Google Enterprise or Education account, they offer superior customer support. In the past, I've leveraged access to enhanced customer support by utilizing my clients' enterprise account support to receive assistance with free/legacy or basic accounts. If you invest significant resources, Google tends to be more responsive and will provide a direct contact.

Has anyone found a substitute for Google Cloud Print?  

Not that I know of, sadly.