Konica Minolta Overhauls University of North Carolina Wilmington Print Operations

Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA Inc. has announced that the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) has overhauled print operations across the university with Konica Minolta bizhub multifunctional products (MFPs – print, copy, fax and scan all in one system). Leveraging 147 bizhub C353 and bizhub C360 color MFPs integrated with Pharos Uniprint software, UNCW has reduced wasteful printing by 65 percent, controlled printing costs and established more sustainable printing practices, while providing students and departments with more printing and scanning functionality.

UNCW's copier and printer program was unmanageable as students and departments had unlimited printing capabilities. With yearly volumes of over 15 million impressions and the rising costs of supplies and maintenance, the program was taking its toll on university budgets. UNCW needed to replace its antiquated system and charge back students and departments for excessive printing.

Working with CopyPro, Inc., an authorized Konica Minolta dealer partner, UNCW replaced all existing printers with bizhub C353 and bizhub C360 MFPs and now offers students and departments more color printing, scanning, faxing and advanced finishing options. By integrating the MFPs with the Pharos Systems Uniprint and Off the Glass software, UNCW can easily track, monitor, control and charge students and departments for network printing and copying.

"Konica Minolta and Pharos Systems were the only providers that could assure us a seamless transition and a robust charge back system that could integrate with our existing accounting system from Blackboard Transaction," said Mike Lloyd, Manger of Printing and Postal Services, University of North Carolina Wilmington. "Not only can we offer more printing capabilities, but we now have control over the program and have begun recovering printing costs with student pay-for-print. We are establishing more sustainable printing practices and preventing overspending."

With the Konica Minolta and Pharos solution, UNCW saved over $140,000 in the first two semesters by reducing overall print impressions by 1.8 million across six print release stations. Under the new program, student and departmental printing, copying and scanning are seamlessly tracked and charged back to UNCW's existing Blackboard accounting system. Students and faculty can print from personal or campus computers and retrieve their documents at any Print Release Station. The Secure Release Here feature from Pharos Systems ensures that all print jobs are held on the server until released by the owner, further eliminating wasteful and duplicate printings.

"UNCW is an excellent example of how an integrated printing solution can help universities take control of their printing and copier programs to prevent overspending and drastically reduce excessive waste," said Sam Errigo, Senior Vice President, Business Intelligence Services, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. "Our customers can count on Konica Minolta to offer them integrated solutions that combine award-winning MFPs with industry leading software for a complete printing solution designed to build sustainable printing practices."