University Business - January 2012 - (Page 50)
Tech SpoTlighT: Printers
PrintSmart project. Officials are in the process of replacing 639 printing devices across campus with 80 to 100 new efficient MFPs, reports spokesperson Kelly Ricaurte. In the first year, she adds, the college anticipates a 31 percent energy savings. When planning a replacement, the organization should use a short list of models, perhaps eight to 12, Weilerstein advises. The fewer the models, the easier they are to support. To best time replacements and leverage bulk discounts, administrators should research institutional needs and then design an optimal printer state for each environment—allowing for smart, consolidated purchases. “This enables bulk purchasing from fewer vendors,” says Weilerstein. Before purchasing, the school should bid out the printer contract competitively, seeking a supplier of equipment, parts, and supplies by combining everything into one large deal. “The institution becomes a very attractive customer that way,” he adds. Extending Printer Life, Efficiency, and Productivity “To get more mileage from the campus printer fleet, stay within the recommended printing volume for each machine,” says Dan Paterson, director of contract merchandising for Staples Advantage. Don’t max out printers designed to handle a limited number of pages-per-month, as this can burn them out. Consider splitting print traffic with another machine or replacing the printer with one that easily handles the traffic, adds Paterson. Use large format printers only for that purpose. “Printing 8.5 x 11 pages on those tends to put grooves in the cylinders,” says Kevin Waldvogel, a printing account executive at Image Systems, a Consolidated Graphics Company. To improve the efficiency of older printers, try different papers and regulate the humidity in the print shop. “This will cut down on paper jams,” says Erickson. “Smoother papers are easier on printers. The thicker the paper, the sooner it will wear the printer out,” Waldvogel explains. For increased productivity, remember
50 | January 2012
when provisioning printers that multifunction devices can scan, copy, and fax as well as print, reducing the need, space requirements, and costs of having four separate machines for each function. Cornell, reports Drake, is in the process of “deploying workgroup MFPs that are full-featured and include full color and black and white printing and copying and scanning to fax, email, or digital files. This solution reduces the overall footprint, energy consumption, maintenance costs, and associated support costs.” Waldvogel advises setting computer lab hours so that printers are used throughout the day. “Keep a good number of people in the print area using the printer, but not too many. “If students are walking away because they can’t print, then the school is losing revenue,” he notes. Also set up guidelines to tell faculty when it’s time to push printing into a commercial print environment, such as the campus copy center. “If they are running 1,000 sheets, that will overwork everyday printers. They should save that printer by getting a better price on bulk printing at the copy center where the printers are set up for large jobs,” Waldvogel explains. It’s all about being strategic about printer purchases and use. By carefully assessing real printing needs and structuring and designing the print environment for efficiency and savings, institutions can lay the ground work for more precise replacement planning so that selective shopping for printers and printer features can reap long-term dividends. David Geer is an Ohio-based technology journalist. His Twitter handle is @geercom.
Resources
Enderle Group, www.enderlegroup.com Gartner, www.gartner.com IDC, www.idc.com Image Systems, www.cgx.com InfoTrends, www.infotrends.com Staples Advantage, www.staplesadvantage.com
Wherever, Whenever Printing
The newest lineup of KODAK HERO Allin-One Printers (including the HERO 3.1, HERO 5.1, HERO 7.1, and HERO 9.1) allows users to print how, where, and when they want. The printers come Google Cloud Print and KODAK Email Print ready, so users can send documents and photos to their printer from anywhere in the world from an internet-connected device. Kodak is offering the same mobile printing options for existing customers who own previous-generation KODAK All-inOne Printers. Depending on the model, features can include a 30- to 35-page automatic document feeder, a 2.4- to 4.3inch color touchscreen display, Smart Sensor technology, and automatic twosided printing. Prices range from $99.99 to $249.99. Visit www.kodak.com.
Photo Processing
Canon’s new PIXMA printers (MG4120 Wireless Photo All-In-One, MG3120 Wireless Photo All-In-One, and MG2120 Photo All-In-One) offer affordable, high-quality photo printing. The MG4120 and MG3120 deliver a maximum color resolution of 4800 x 1200 dpi. They can output from 8.4 ipm to 9.9 ipm for black and white and from 4.8 ipm to 5.7 ipm for color and can print a borderless 4x6 photo in 44 seconds. The MG4120, MG3120, and MG2120 are priced at $129.99, $79.99, and $69.99 respectively. Learn more at www.canon.com. —Edited by Kristen Domonell
universitybusiness.com
http://www.kodak.com
http://www.enderlegroup.com
http://www.gartner.com
http://www.idc.com
http://www.cgx.com
http://www.infotrends.com
http://www.staplesadvantage.com
http://www.canon.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - January 2012
University Business - January 2012
Contents
Editor's Note
College Index
Ad Index
Behind the News
Human Resources
Campus CFo
Getting Carded
Choosing telepresence
boosting the bottom line
Printer Purchase Pointers
Money Matters
Viewpoint
End Note
University Business - January 2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pmg/ub0112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pmg/ub_cg09
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pmg/educomm2009
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com