Copiers & Printers: A Managed Print Services Approach is Coming!

Procurement Services and Creative Communications have partnered in a Lean (process improvement) project called “Printopia” to improve the University’s process for acquisition of copier/printer equipment and services.

Currently, the campus purchases these goods and services in many different ways. We estimate that there are roughly 2,000 copiers and 16,000 printers on campus, purchased from different suppliers, using various buying methods (purchase, rental, or lease).

The Printopia team has identified that a Managed Print Services approach to copying and printing is a recognized best practice, and will benefit the campus through significant cost savings and process efficiencies.

What is Managed Print Services? It's a way of purchasing copying and printing services through a supplier (or suppliers) who assists campus departments with creating the most efficient network of copy/print/fax (i.e. multi-functional) devices to meet individual department needs.

Procurement Services has embarked on a project to create a campus-wide contract with one or more supplier for these services. Research shows that the having one (or few) suppliers for managed print services results in the greatest cost savings and process efficiencies.

This will be a long-term, phased transition, as some campus departments have existing copier rental and lease agreements which will need to run their course before a change can be made for those specific machines. The timeline for the new managed print services contract is Spring/Summer 2012.

Contact Procurement Services if you questions about this project, or if your department is in need of copy/print services before the new contract is available: Carla Helm: chelm@uw.edu or Ray Hsu rayhsu@uw.edu