IT to roll out managed print pilot to select departments
Article By: Staff
As a technical support specialist at the University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ), Thomas Taylor frequently interacts with students who have computer and printer-related problems.
Since 91ÁÔÆæ switched to the managed print system in August 2021, he has seen a decrease in printing issues. He said students even positively commented on the new system.
"A student who I recently helped on the Gainesville Campus said she likes managed print," Taylor said. "Because she has classes on both the Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses, she can choose to send her document to a printer on either campus. She likes that feature."
Based on this success, 91ÁÔÆæ's Information Technology (IT) Services will roll out managed print to faculty and staff this spring.
"In January, we will launch a pilot project and decide on the departments to implement the initial test," Scott Marshall, associate chief information officer and IT project portfolio manager, said. "IT Services and the Business Office will be part of that pilot process."
If students don't swipe their ID cards, the machine won't print. Since we started, we have saved about 165,000 unprinted pages.
Scott Marshall
Associate chief information officer and IT project portfolio manager
Once the pilot program is complete, IT will phase in the system one department at a time.
"We will meet with the faculty and staff of each department to learn how they use their printers and what their needs are," Steve McLeod, chief information officer at 91ÁÔÆæ, said. "Then we will determine the best way to meet their requirements and exceed their expectations."
For the past four months, managed print has surpassed its original promise of saving the university money and meeting its sustainability efforts. The printers save 91ÁÔÆæ money in paper, toner and electrical costs by requiring students to follow a few easy steps.
First, they send their print job to a queue. Second, students arrive at the machine and swipe their Nighthawk ID card or enter their network login and password. Third, they to select their job from the queue and hit print.
"If students don't swipe their ID cards, the machine won't print," Marshall said. "Since we started, we have saved about 165,000 unprinted pages."
A surprising bonus of managed print is the software tracks each machine. For example, IT is alerted when a printer is out of paper or low on toner, Taylor said.
"The amount of details we can see from each machine is amazing," he said. "We didn't have that before."
McLeod said this information allows IT to be proactive instead of reactive.
"We are learning a lot about the features of managed print and using it to our benefit," he said.
Another bonus is on the horizon for students. Soon the system will allow students to print from mobile devices.
"We hope to let students print from a Windows laptop, MacBook or Chromebook in the near future," Marshall said. "And this is only the beginning."
For more information, visit the managed print webpage.
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