Why SimplyPrint is Cloud-Based
SimplyPrint is a cloud-based 3D printer management platform that lets you slice, queue, monitor and control printers of any brand from a web browser or mobile app, with no on-premise server to host.
At SimplyPrint, we've built our platform exclusively as a cloud-based solution to provide a secure, flexible, and cost-effective 3D printer management experience.
While on-premise solutions may seem appealing for their perceived control, our cloud approach delivers superior security, accessibility, and value without the overhead of managing your own infrastructure.
SimplyPrint: A Massive Cloud System
SimplyPrint is not just a simple application – it's a massive distributed system comprised of numerous specialized components working together seamlessly:
- Multiple interconnected microservices handling different aspects of 3D printing
- Specialized servers requiring different hardware configurations and operating systems
- Advanced AI services for print failure detection and optimization
- Cloud slicing services that process 3D models without taxing your local hardware
- 3D model processing services for optimization and repair
- Various APIs connecting all components and enabling third-party integrations
Deploying this complex infrastructure on-premise would be prohibitively expensive and technically challenging for most organizations.
Benefits of Cloud-Based Solutions
Cloud-based 3D printer management offers numerous advantages over traditional on-premise installations:
Enhanced Accessibility & Flexibility
- Access your 3D printers from anywhere with an internet connection
- Manage your print farm from any device - desktop, tablet, or smartphone
- No need to be physically present at your printer location
- Enable remote teams to collaborate seamlessly
- Perfect for educational environments where multiple users need access
Superior Scalability
- Effortlessly scale from one printer to hundreds
- No need to upgrade local hardware as your print farm grows
- Add new printers or users instantly without infrastructure changes
- Automatic capacity adjustments during peak usage periods
Advanced Security & Cost Benefits
- Enterprise-grade security infrastructure maintained by cloud experts
- Continuous security updates without manual intervention
- Data encrypted both in transit and at rest
- No server hardware to purchase, maintain, or replace
- No need for dedicated IT staff to manage infrastructure
- Predictable subscription-based pricing
- Lower total cost of ownership compared to on-premise solutions
Seamless Third-Party Integrations
One of the most powerful advantages of our cloud architecture is the ability to effortlessly integrate with a wide range of third-party services:
- Direct connections to various slicers and 3D model repositories
- API access for custom integrations with your existing systems
- Compatibility with single sign-on (SSO) providers
Cloud vs. On-Premise: Side-by-Side Comparison
SimplyPrint Cloud
- Low initial setup cost (subscription-based)
- Automatic maintenance and updates
- Continuous security updates
- Built-in remote access from anywhere
- Instant and unlimited scalability
- Built-in redundancy and disaster recovery
- Seamless multi-user support
- Continuous feature updates
- Access to advanced AI and cloud slicing services
- Effortless third-party integrations
Typical On-Premise
- High initial cost (hardware + software + installation)
- Requires dedicated IT resources
- Manual and often delayed security updates
- Requires complex VPN setup for remote access
- Limited by local hardware capacity
- Requires separate backup systems
- Often limited or complex multi-user support
- Manual and infrequent feature updates
- No access to advanced AI and cloud processing services
- Difficult and limited third-party integrations
Addressing Common Cloud Concerns
"What about my customer's data security?"
We take data security extremely seriously. All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest using industry-standard encryption protocols. Our infrastructure is protected by multiple security layers including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and regular security audits. We're fully GDPR compliant and host all data in EU-based data centers with strict security certifications. We also offer Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) for organizations requiring formal documentation of our security and privacy practices. Learn more about our certifications and standards.
"What happens if my internet connection goes down?"
SimplyPrint is designed to handle temporary internet outages. Your printers will continue running their current jobs even if the connection to our cloud is interrupted. The local SimplyPrint client maintains essential functionality during outages, and will automatically sync back with the cloud once the connection is restored.
"Isn't on-premise more secure because it's behind my firewall?"
While this is a common perception, modern cloud security often exceeds what most organizations can implement locally. Our cloud infrastructure benefits from enterprise-grade security measures, 24/7 monitoring by security experts, and regular penetration testing - resources that would be prohibitively expensive for most organizations to maintain in-house.
"What if I need to comply with specific regulations?"
SimplyPrint is designed with compliance in mind. We're fully GDPR compliant and can provide detailed information about our security practices to help with your compliance requirements. Our EU-based hosting and transparent data policies make regulatory compliance straightforward. View our certifications and compliance standards for more information.
"Do you offer an on-premise version of SimplyPrint?"
Currently, SimplyPrint is exclusively offered as a cloud-based solution. This allows us to provide the best possible experience with continuous updates, maximum security, and seamless scalability. While we understand some organizations may initially prefer on-premise solutions, we've found that the benefits of our cloud approach ultimately provide superior value and security for our customers.
Frequently asked questions
What is cloud-based 3D printer management?
Cloud-based 3D printer management runs the control, monitoring and slicing software on remote servers instead of a machine you host yourself. You manage your printers from a web browser or mobile app, and updates, scaling and backups are handled for you. SimplyPrint is a fully cloud-based platform of this kind.
Does SimplyPrint offer an on-premise or self-hosted version?
No. SimplyPrint is offered exclusively as a cloud-based service. This lets us provide continuous updates, AI failure detection and cloud slicing without each customer running and securing their own infrastructure.
Where is my data stored, and is SimplyPrint suitable for enterprise IT?
Data is hosted in EU-based data centres and encrypted in transit and at rest. SimplyPrint is an EU business and supports single sign-on (SSO), audit logging and Data Processing Agreements (DPAs), so it can fit into enterprise IT and procurement requirements.
Is cloud 3D printer management secure compared to keeping it on-premise?
A cloud platform centralises security updates, monitoring and access controls that most teams cannot maintain in-house full time. SimplyPrint uses encryption, continuous patching and access controls; on-premise puts that ongoing security work on your own IT staff.
What happens to my prints if my internet connection drops?
Printers keep running their current job during a temporary outage. The local SimplyPrint client keeps essential functions working and re-syncs with the cloud automatically once the connection is restored.
Do I need dedicated IT staff or server hardware to use SimplyPrint?
No. Because SimplyPrint is cloud-based, there is no server to buy, host or maintain. You connect printers through a built-in integration, OctoPrint or Klipper (Moonraker) and manage everything from the browser or mobile app.