Print strategy
07 December 2007
New equipment for the Print Room
Staff from IKON, LJMU's print supplier, are now co-ordinating the renewal of all the high volume printing and finishing machines in the Document Production Centre in LJMU Tower. The new equipment will arrive on Friday 7 December.
This marks another stage in implementing the strategy to improve the quality of the University's print services. The intention is that all staff should have easy access to suitable print devices, be aware of the costs of printing and send printing jobs that are more efficiently completed or require special finishing to the Print Room in LJMU Tower. New software will be available during January that will make it easy to submit jobs electronically.
Next week, new print devices will be installed in the Aldham Robarts Learning Resource Centre, completing Phase 1 in replacing photocopiers and rented printers.
Ensuring that all equipment delivered is fully functional and meeting user requirements is the next priority. Staff in Computing and Information Services are now undertaking final testing of software that will provide a digital print environment enabling staff and students to use their LJMU smart cards for accessing devices. The software captures data for accounting purposes which will give local budget holders better information about costs and usage.
Key to the success of the changes now taking place are the local Print Champions. Staff undertaking this role for Phase 1 have provided valuable feedback which is helping to shape the schedule for the Phase 2 roll-out. Print Champions are the local contacts when new equipment is installed and, after training from IKON staff, become the source of advice for colleagues.
Print Champions will be invited to briefing sessions about the new arrangements for the Print Room and how the full benefits of a digital print environment can be achieved. Web pages are being prepared that will advise staff and students about the new devices and services. These will be ready by the end of January.
The schedule for Phase 2 of equipment renewal is being prepared. From mid-January till the end of March, IKON staff will be checking user requirements, installing new devices and providing training through the Print Champions for the rest of IM Marsh Campus, in the John Foster, Dean Walters, Cherie Booth and Peter Jost Buildings, and at Twelve Quays.
