Empower your Office with Crew-Tech

Employee Experience (EX) is how employees perceive their organization—from daily operations to onboarding and offboarding. Customer Experience (CX) covers every interaction a customer has with a brand and the impressions those interactions create. A recent IDC report claimed that the 3 critical success factors driving businesses over the next 18 months are improved EX (40%), improved CX (39%), and AI training (37%). Seeing as EX and CX are the top two driving success factors, many companies have started analyzing the correlation between the two. In the last 18 months, 50% of organizations surveyed by the IDC have implemented key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the relationship between EX and CX, while 25% of organizations have measurable proof of a causal relationship between the two. Below is an example of this causal relationship as it pertains to the benefits of hybrid workforces: EX CX 56% saw improved team productivity -> Improved turn-around times 51% saw improves employee productivity -> Improved quality of service 42% saw stronger team relationships -> Strong internal culture results in brand recognition and loyalty How to Improve Employee Experience Though there are many different ways to improve EX, the pain points of EX revolve around productivity blockers and whether the company chooses to fix them. To improve EX focus on: Responsive IT support User training/development Updated policies (to support in-person and remote employees) Investment in AI tools Cloud-based resources AI Challenges The main challenge with AI affecting EX and CX is simply the fact that AI is evolving too quickly for people to keep up. AI is constantly being refined which makes it difficult for companies to determine when they need to update their policies or conduct user training. This can negatively affect EX which will negatively affect CX in the long term. AI is not going anywhere though, and as consumers become more accustomed to AI being a part of the buyer's journey, they will come to expect it. According to Forbes, by 2029 AI in CX is projected to reach $46.9 billion which is a 27.5% increase annually. AI Improving EX and CX: Personalization (tailors messaging, product recommendations, and services to individual users). Automation (AI chatbots and workflow setups). Predictive services (analyzes historical data to provide actionable insights in supply chain management, marketing, finance, etc.). Emotion detection (responding to emotions in real time, building trust, and addressing frustrations). EX and CX are deeply connected—when employees thrive, customers benefit. By investing in tools, training, and policies that support your team, you create a ripple effect that improves customer satisfaction. With AI shaping both experiences, companies that prioritize people and embrace innovation will lead the way.

In today’s fast-paced world, paper documents can slow you down — especially when collaboration, remote access, and security are top priorities. That’s where cloud scanning comes in. Whether you're working from the office, home, or anywhere in between, scanning directly to the cloud makes your documents instantly accessible, shareable, and safely stored. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to scan to the cloud using modern office equipment and explore why it’s a game-changer for productivity, data protection, and workflow efficiency. Hardware - scanner or MFP and computer or mobile device. Software - scanning software, cloud services and cloud enabled scanning app. How to Scan to the Cloud: Set up scanner or MFP (choosing equipment that is cloud enabled is crucial). Establish server location (private servers are on-site and can be costly, while most public servers are encrypted and cost effective with a vendor). Install/Configure software. Adjust scan settings (for resolution, 300 DPI for larger text files and 600 DPI for better quality images and for file format, PDF for documents, JPEG for images, and PDF/A for archiving). Test scan and upload to the cloud (confirm configurations and access). Create a company-wide process for reference and new employees. While this process may seem intimidating and costly, finding a technology partner can help reduce costs and simplify the setup process. Many technology partners and vendors will set up the configuration and processes needed as a part of their service. Cloud scanning can increase efficiency in various ways, but some efficiency boosters come straight from the scan settings. Benefits: Saves time and money No sending or shipping physical documents. Reduced IT strain and training. Accessibility Remote access and collaboration. Customer satisfaction Quickly process orders and invoices. Security Secure cloud with encryption protocols. Sustainability Digital documents = less paper consumption and waste. Back-up and recovery options As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, cloud scanning stands out as a simple yet powerful upgrade. It streamlines workflows, enhances security, and supports sustainability — all while saving time and money. With the right equipment, software, and setup, scanning to the cloud becomes a seamless part of your daily operations. Whether you're just starting or looking to optimize your current process, investing in cloud scanning is a smart move toward a more efficient, connected, and future-ready workplace. Crew-Tech's Recommendations: As a technology partner, Crew-Tech is committed to offering scalable, affordable, and efficient solutions to any business looking to upgrade. The following machines are what we would recommend to a business looking for scan to cloud options that need accessibility features for a hybrid workforce. They have advanced scanning features including single pass scanning, versatile media scanning (credit cards, ID's, etc.), and scans up to 200 images per minute.

A print driver is software that translates data from your device (computer, laptop, mobile, etc.) into a format the printer can understand. Some print drivers are tailored for everyday office needs while others are tailored for high quality graphics. The type of print driver you need will vary based on print needs and usage, but there are 4 basic print drivers. PCL (printer control/command language) print drivers are the most common and they are dependent on devices to function properly. PS (postscript) print drivers are independent from devices (meaning they don't need a computer or phone to operate) and are made for high quality graphics but run a bit slower than PCLs. Universal print drivers simplifies driver management, especially in multi-brand environments, but can affect the features available when printing. Manufactured specific drivers are made by the same manufacturer, meant to enhance features and print quality. Importance: Compatibility/communication with devices and printers. Advanced features (stapling, duplex, etc.) Optimization of resolution and color settings. Managing print options with preview, scaling, or page preference. The most important feature of a print driver is the communication between printers and devices. Most universal print drivers can communicate with printer and device regardless of device or printer brand, but not all print drivers can. For example, downloading a Xerox print driver to print on an HP printer can compromise the accuracy and quality of the print job. Print drivers also need regular updates. If you are ever having issues getting advanced features assigned to a print job, you likely just needed to update your print driver. Which Print Driver is the Best? While there is not a perfect print driver coined as the "best" there are certain industries that would benefit more using a specific print driver. For example, a lawyer's office will likely need a manufactured print driver to have access to all of their advanced features (using legal paper, stapling, configurations). A hybrid workplace where employees use their personal printers will need to be a universal print driver, due to the variety of printer brands and lack of control. Any kind of graphic design, print advertisement, or creative company will need a postscript print driver. Usage Print Driver Best For? General office use PCL Everyday business Graphic design and high-quality prints PS Creative professionals Multi-brand environments Universal Mixed brand machines Advanced features used regularly Manufactured Business with specific needs Cloud-Based Print Drivers Cloud printing allows users to send print jobs to printers connected to a cloud service, regardless of their location. With the rise of remote workers and hybrid office spaces, the cloud printing demand has increased as well. Cloud printing requires a cloud service, which relies on the internet and utilizes the cloud infrastructure to optimize print jobs. There are a variety of cloud-based print drivers available on the market today including Microsoft's Universal Driver, Google's Cloud Print, and RICOH's CloudStream. Benefits: Increased accessibility and mobility. Simplified setup and maintenance. Enhanced collaboration and productivity. Cost and resource saving. Challenges: Data privacy and security concerns. Reliability of internet connection. Bandwidth and network requirements. Compatibility and integration with systems. RICOH CloudStream Need to deploy a streamlined print solution effortlessly? RICOH's CloudStream has a variety of features to unleash your hybrid workforce potential. Strengthen security with compliant and zero-trust authentication features (ISO & IEC27001 certified and approved). Streamline print environment and reduce the strain on IT departments. Unify device management with one cloud-based solution, optimized work and costs. Empower remote flexibility by enhancing efficiency and reducing downtime. Manage cloud devices and minimize environmental impacts. Contact Crew-Tech today to learn more!