Ricoh Ireland has implemented a fully managed document solution for the Dublin Institute of Technology across its six campus locations. The tailored solution includes six new print and copy stations, a flexible web payment service and more sustainable printing for DIT's 22,000 students.
With a history stretching back more than 120 years, DIT is recognised as a pioneer in higher education that offers full and part-time study programmes ranging from apprenticeships to PhDs.
The new printing solution is seen positively by DIT students. As well as cutting students' carbon footprints, by using less paper and energy, the new e-Payment system allows students to top up their print accounts by phone or website.
With increasingly restricted budgets, DIT wanted to overhaul its entire print and document management infrastructure, by building an integrated, multi-campus solution giving students and lecturers better service.The previous on-campus printing services varied from location to location, with differences in contracts for maintenance and purchase of consumables.
Ricoh Ireland won the tender to provide a greener solution that streamlined student printing and cut costs and introduced 60 new multi-functional products throughout the six DIT campuses. The new print and copy stations are at strategic locations and are supported by dedicated Ricoh personnel.
Ricoh now manages the entire student printing environment in DIT and proactively co-ordinates the multi-site campus wide document strategy. This will streamline the costs of student printing, reduce the IT support workload and drive greater productivity.
By streamlining the number of machines and consumables, DIT expects to significantly cut the costs associated with print and document production. In line with green policies in other areas in DIT, Ricoh has introduced more 'sustainable' printing practices, ncluding duplex printing as standard, less unnecessary colour printing and lower energy consumption.
Bridget Gleeson, Dublin Institute of Technology IT Support Manager said: "DIT made the decision to unite all the printing requirements from our six campus locations in an effort to maximise cost savings and productivity. Since partnering with Ricoh Ireland, we've been able to develop a more student-friendly printing service. The benefits on our bottom line have been immediate and the impact on the environment will be long lasting".
Áine O'Shea, Ricoh Ireland managed services print manager said: "We're very excited to be working with DIT during an exceptional period of change for the organisation. As demand for its courses continue to increase, so too have the demands on its student printing network.
"Ricoh has been very impressed by the proactive approach in DIT to its print and document management requirement. Placing its trust in the hands of professionals, DIT is achieving identifiable cost savings, better allocation of its personnel and delivering on its promise of enhancing its student services."
Ricoh designs, develops and manufactures a complete range of print and document management, hardware, software and services which are tailored to meet individual customer needs. Its devices print, copy, scan and fax documents as an integrated part of the IT network and enterprise content management system.
Software is used to audit usage, manage document flows, simplify business processes, control print expenditure and secure access. The company takes an innovative approach to research and development, having invented the first digital black & white copier and introducing the colour-capable device.
Ricoh environmental credentials are second to none. It operates a zero-waste policy at all of its manufacturing plants and maintains carbon-neutral status at its headquarters in Feltham, Middlesex. It operates a dedicated 'Green Centre', where old machines are re-commissioned and recycled in line with WEEE Directive guidelines.
DIT is one of Ireland's largest and most innovative institutions of higher education, offering programmes at every level from apprenticeship to PhD. The wide range of disciplines includes engineering and the built environment; business and finance; art and design; music and drama; media and law; science and technology; tourism and food.
Currently based on six main campus sites around the city centre, DIT is developing a state-of-the-art single campus in the north inner city at Grangegorman, Dublin 7.
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