Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd announced it has streamlined Bury Grammar School’s disparate MFD (multi-function device) printer fleet from 117 to just 35.
Bury Grammar School now has a streamlined fleet of 35 Konica Minolta devices. Combined with integrated print management software, it provides comprehensive device access control, centralised user management as well as in-depth output and cost reporting. Users now enter their PIN on the intuitive touchscreen to print wherever is most convenient. This also delivers more control over content and document output, to support data privacy, information security and school confidentiality.
Ben Whitaker, Head of ICT Services, Bury Grammar School stated: “The print estate absorbed a significant amount of IT time and resources. Toner management was almost a full-time job for one person. Some 70% of all helpdesk tickets related to print management. That had to change. The over-lapping, inefficient use of the print fleet also compromised our sustainability goals.”
Following the implementation, the volume of IT help-desk enquiries related to printers has dropped by 95 percent and the School believes it is saving more than £12,000 ($15,426/ €13,089) annually with this forward-thinking print strategy, achieved through fleet rationalisation, a single contract and reduced consumables. Regular, drill-down reporting also enables the ICT team to understand and act upon insights into device and staff use, in order to optimise efficiency.
Sustainability is another key benefit of the new print strategy developed by Konica Minolta, enabling the School to reduce print volumes from three million to 2.4 million sheets annually. With electricity costs forecast to increase by up to 40% over the next three to four years, replacing older devices with new ones that offer reduced power consumption, as well as reducing the number of devices, will significantly decrease electricity costs associated with printing.
Jonathan Smith, Head of Public Sector Sales at Konica Minolta commented: “Having worked closely with thousands of schools, we understand the specific challenges they face and have a dedicated team that focuses on supporting them and tackling these challenges. Bury Grammar School is a great example of how we’re working in partnership with schools to help them to not only reduce costs, but also increase security and sustainability”
Ben Whitaker concluded: “All of these benefits have been achieved alongside highly responsive service from the Konica Minolta team. They are partnering with us to maximise the value of the systems, promoting innovative new ways we can improve processes, such as scanning to email or Microsoft OneDrive, for instance. The School is now a more efficient and productive education organisation thanks to Konica Minolta.”