Konica Minolta Central adds significantly more than paper-based value to Independent Newspapers
Office printing is a natural process of any credible business operation. Few businesses understand the need to control volumes and reduce costs more than a publishing group.
So when Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd. sought a supplier who could offer the best pricing and the expertise and resources necessary to help address their office copier challenges, Konica Minolta Central ticked all the boxes.
Independent Newspapers is a market leading national news provider group that publishes twenty-eight print titles including The Star, Cape Argus, Isolezwe and The Mercury. Office printing for Independent Newspapers is considerable. In 2010 the Group's national print volumes exceeded one million copies.
Stuart Surtees, Head of IT Operations at Independent Newspapers, said the company sought to address a number of inefficiencies in terms of its existing office printing model. These included the existence of disparate equipment throughout the Group, multiple billing sources, limited insight into the nature of print volumes as well as soaring costs associated with the high volume of devices in operation.
After a systematic analysis of the existing infrastructure, associated costs and real world requirements, Konica Minolta Central initiated the staggered implementation of print management infrastructure, incorporating P-Counter and Follow-Me technology, throughout Independent Newspapers.
With the sheer amount of devices on site and large number of users across the network, accurate control measures were implemented to ensure that no wastage or unnecessary printing could happen without the relevant accountability required for each department.
P-Counter is designed for cost tracking and access control. It can be implemented and programmed to restrict or allow access to printing facilities and can also restrict volume of either black or white/ colour prints.
Follow-Me technology also works on a per-user basis and, once installed on a network, means that controlled access is applicable on any machine, located in any area of the operation. By embracing this technology, Independent Newspapers was able to consolidate the number of devices by 44%.
Cape Town and Johannesburg were identified as the initial go-live sites, to be followed by a scheduled rollout to other regions. According to Surtees Konica Minolta Central was proactive from the outset and forthcoming with advice and expertise. "They have always been available to assist and this has ensured timely, hassle-free and effective rollout," he says.
A model printing operation
As a result of the partnership with Konica Minolta Central, the publishing Group has consolidated billing, standardised equipment, addressed volume considerations and greatly improved its print management strategy. "Guided by Konica Minolta Central, we have been able to address the inefficiencies in our office printing model as well as halve our printing costs. Given the size of our national operation, this represents a significant saving," said Surtees.
Stephen Rufener, Managing Director at Konica Minolta Central, is proud of the association with Independent Newspapers and the value of Konica Minolta technology for his client.
"We are dealing with extremely competitive markets and businesses that rely heavily on solutions that help drive down costs. For a sizeable operation such as Independent Newspapers, technology that is easy to operate, is competitively priced and meets all requirements is a highly valued commodity," says Rufener.
He adds "Konica Minolta's range of devices and software solutions allow us the ability to offer all businesses, irrespective of size, a more efficient and cost effective way to operate."
www.konicaminoltacentral.co.za
This article was originally posted on Africa Marketing Communications
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