Clarion University Saving Money with The First Two Stages of Managed Print Services

Stage One and Stage Two of the MPS doctrine - but not Stage Three, yet.

The project was led by the university President. (C-Level sponsorship)

Purchasing and IT worked together.(prerequisite to moving forward)

A study conducted. (Assessment)

Machines removed. (Primary Goal of MPS)

CRD revamped. (CRD's can be included)

From 0.12/B&W to 0.035/B&W.(Quick Win, hard cost savings)

Six Million Images in the first year. (Baseline measurement)

Early in February 2010, Clarion University Purchasing, Computer Services, and IKON/Ricoh will be holding a demonstration of methods and equipment for the rest of campus. IKON/Ricoh will be training staff and faculty on the use of new equipment. (On going MPS Engagement)

Partnered with Ricoh/IKON(throw everything I said above, out. Its a CPC not MPS)


Printer changes saving Clarion University money

Clarion University is looking for budget savings one printer cartridge at a time.
President Joseph Grunenwald with the printers and ink
cartridges removed from offices in Carrier Hall.

Printer cartridges, the type used in all desktop printers appears to be a small budget item when purchasing decisions are being made. Clarion University discovered that on a large scale this commonly used product results in thousands of dollars in purchases each year, leading to an effort to curb this expense by moving to centralized print devices.

Led by President Joseph Grunenwald, the administrative offices in Carrier Hall are leading the way for campus. Most all of the desktop/personal printers, including those in the president's office, have been removed. A Ricoh central printer/copier/scanner, for use by the entire floor has replaced the personal printers. One centralized networked printer will serve as backup per department.

"Our intent is to look at how the entire campus copies and prints, and what to do on campus with copiers and printers," said Rein Pold, director of purchasing.

The analysis was eye opening. There were roughly 540 print devices (mostly Hewlett Packard) on campus, which used $60,000 a year in print cartridges. Clarion spends $12-15,000 per year to purchase printers and an additional $4-5,000 per year to maintain the devices. The cost to print from these devices is six to 12 cents per black and white copy and 15 to 32 cents per color copy.

During 2009, a switchover started. Ricoh Equipment installed 27 color/black and white and 44 black and white only copiers on campus. The copy volume during the first year for these 71 machines was almost six million black and white copies and 250,000 color copies. Factoring in the cost of toner, maintenance, and other supplies, the cost per copy was .03 to .035 cents per black and white copy and .08 to .09 cents per color copy.

"We didn't invent this process," said Pold. "Hewlett Packard removed all non-networked printers from its corporate headquarters in 2008 and they make $21 billion per year selling printer cartridges. Clarion is approaching this idea cooperatively so the employees understand going to the right place for the right job is the most cost effective approach. The Ricoh copiers became the default printers for all people working on a floor or in a department, with each employee having the ability to print directly to that copier through their personal computer. The machines can also be used as copiers and can scan printed items so it may be e-mailed or faxed.

"This has been a cooperative effort of purchasing and computer services," said Pold. "Steve Selker, and Scott Bauer from computing services led the efforts to set up the new equipment."

Pold also sees PAGES (Printing and Graphics Express Service), Clarion University's own full-service printing, copy and promotional center, being reintroduced as the shop where volume work for campus can be completed. PAGES will hold an open house early in 2010 to demonstrate new services and equipment.

Early in February 2010, Clarion University Purchasing, Computer Services, and PAGES; and IKON/Ricoh will be holding a demonstration of methods and equipment for the rest of campus. IKON/Ricoh will be training staff and faculty on the use of new equipment.

"What Clarion is doing is unique within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education," said Pold. "No one else has the cost-per-copy program that Clarion has. President Grunenwald was on board early supporting this process, leading by giving up his own printer."

Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.



Posted by University Relations on 12/4/2009 9:00:00 AM

Comcast Buys NBC or GE Sells NBC: Why does this matter to you?

Twenty years ago, Comcast was new to our area.

Back then, I remember over a few brews, discussing with a cadre of friends, of all things, how computers could bring the telephone, TV, and Cable all together.

At the time, it was called "convergence".

Well, as we see today with the smart phones, and connectivity to the Nth degree, the great Mash-Up is here, has been here, and will continue to expand into every facet of our lives.

This is a big move in many ways, not just about technology and business, its touches every corner of our life - Media.

Press Release:


The following is the full text of the press release regarding Comcast's acquisition of NBC Universal, sent Thursday at 6:16 a.m. Eastern.



PHILADELPHIA & FAIRFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) and General Electric (NYSE: GE) announced today that they have signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture that will be 51 percent owned by Comcast, 49 percent owned by GE and managed by Comcast. The joint venture, which will consist of the NBC Universal (NBCU) businesses and Comcast’s cable networks, regional sports networks and certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments, will be well positioned to compete in an increasingly dynamic and competitive media and digital environment.

The combination of assets creates a leading media and entertainment company with the proven capability to provide some of the world’s most popular entertainment, news and sports content, movies and film libraries to consumers anytime, anywhere. The joint venture will provide consumers the broadest possible access to content, and support high-quality, award-winning content development across all platforms including film, television, and online. It will be anchored by an outstanding portfolio of cable networks and regional sports networks that will account for about 80 percent of its cash flow, including USA, Bravo, Syfy, E!, Versus, CNBC and MSNBC. The joint venture will be financially strong with a robust cash-flow-generation capability.

Under the terms of the transaction, GE will contribute to the joint venture NBCU’s businesses valued at $30 billion, including its cable networks, filmed entertainment, televised entertainment, theme parks, and unconsolidated investments, subject to $9.1 billion in debt to third party lenders. Comcast will contribute its cable networks including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel, its ten regional sports networks, and certain digital media properties, collectively valued at $7.25 billion, and make a payment to GE of approximately $6.5 billion of cash subject to certain adjustments based on various events between signing and closing.

Comcast Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Brian Roberts said, “This deal is a perfect fit for Comcast and will allow us to become a leader in the development and distribution of multiplatform ‘anytime, anywhere’ media that American consumers are demanding. In particular, NBCU’s fast-growing, highly profitable cable networks are a great complement to our industry-leading distribution business. Today’s announced transaction will increase our capabilities in content and cable networks. At the same time, it will enhance consumer choice and accelerate the development of new digital products and services. GE has provided NBCU with a great home and has dramatically and positively transformed the business. We are honored that under this agreement Comcast would take over the stewardship of this important collection of assets and are absolutely committed to investing in NBCU and ensuring that it is a vibrant, financially strong company able to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace by delivering innovative programming. We are particularly pleased to be creating this new joint venture with GE and Jeff Immelt and to have their continued involvement.

“For Comcast, this transaction is strategically compelling and will generate attractive financial returns and build shareholder value,” continued Roberts. “It is also expected to be immediately accretive and will also allow us to maintain our strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders– all while increasing the scale, capabilities and value of our cable distribution, content and digital assets.

See the rest here.

Fishies Name Number Three: "Dar"

As in Darwin. Another Red Fish named.

Named by Daniel Ruymann from SIGMAnet, out here on the West Coast.

Daniel is one of those Selling Professionals whose skills come naturally, because he is a natural.

He is a detail-oriented, high energy professional with 21 years of experience in Information Technology; proficient in various disciplines including technical consulting, project management and business development.

An entrepreneurial thinker with master communication, presentation and leadership skills; competent in complex negotiations and a proven talent managing a diverse work force in a collaborative team environment comprised of associates, vendors and clients.
----

All that aside, I have worked with Daniel a great guy.

Thanks for the name.

I believe there is one more name awarded - announced next Friday.