Even a cheap Linux system with SAMBA would do to serve as a print server.
However, as the ultimate goal is to reduce inter-office network traffic, the first step would be to locate a DC at each office. This will greatly reduce all the AD traffic. Once this is accomplished, the DC can do double-duty as a print server. Also, what is the percentage of printer traffic based on overall traffic. Where are the files stored? On the individual computers? How are these backed up? What's the link speeds between the offices? Private lines or VPN?
It sounds to me like a badly architected network and switching the printers is a short-term fix of a symptom instead of a in-depth analysis of the underlying problem.
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There are two types of vessels, submarines and targets.
