Case Study - Kings College, Cambridge

Complete have supplied Cambridge University, Kings College, with 8 new MFDs (Multi-functional devices – print, copy, scan, fax and e-mail) as part on an on-going programme of equipment renewal.

Flexible in-house solution
Following a complete review of the existing equipment and operating systems used by the college, the Complete design team led by Martyn Webb, Director, has provided a solution that satisfies the current departmental requirement, and, when required, will allow expansion to form part of a larger network of printers and MFDs that will serve the whole college.

Consisting of one 60ppm Ricoh colour MFD and a mixture of 25ppm - 50ppm Ricoh colour MFD, the equipment replaces a number of smaller machines that were positioned around the college. By installing print management software and networking the printers to every workstation, college staff can access a wide range of in-house printing options, including the fast production of colour booklets using the in-line folder, stitcher and automated booklet maker.

Printing invitations is a significant part of the printing requirement, so special attention was paid to the production of prints on heavy card. The Ricoh MPC6000 is able to produce fast colour prints on 300gsm board as standard, without the need for special attachments or hand-feeding.

On-line management system
Using the on-line print management software, the college can log-in and access real-time updates on equipment usage, toner levels, service status and cost-per copy information. Hourly, daily or monthly reports can be prepared ‘on-demand’ to assess equipment performance, providing invaluable data for the future expansion of the network. Responsibility for all meter readings, ordering toner and consumables and service calls has shifted away from the college staff and is now handled remotely by Complete Imaging.

Another feature of the print management software allows the office manager to predefine the parameters for equipment usage. Long-run single colour jobs will automatically be directed to the correct machine. Restrictions on colour printing can be imposed, if required, with quotas allocated to individuals, departments, projects or publications. The combined effect of the latest Ricoh MFDs and print management software has resulted in significant cost savings over the previous unmanaged system. 

Jane Readman, Kings College, explains: “The time was right to look at precisely how we were using our printers. The new equipment delivers the quality that we need along with the cost savings and controls that come from a fully managed network.”

Specified with the future in mind, the two MFDs offer plenty of scope for expansion and could represent the first phase of a fully-integrated college-wide printer network.