Title : Manchester Metropolitan University
Market : Education
Service/Product : Photocopying
Reseller/Distributor : Integrated Card Solutions Ltd

Client

Location – Manchester, England
Client profile – Major large population University with 7 campuses in the Manchester area offering over 1000 courses, attracting a rich mix of students from a variety of backgrounds and ages, with strong links to business, industry and the community.
Contact – Paul Squires – Reprographics Manager
Number of sites -1
Number of terminals - 40
User – staff

The Challenge

Objective was to upgrade existing photocopying control system, to increase the effective management of staff photocopying output, by providing a centralised automated system for monitoring photocopying output, whilst integrating the existing staff ID cards.
The new solution must be up to date, innovative flexible and reliable as it will be in constant use by staff.
The current solution was a PIN system that was consistently failing and difficult to manage. The data wasn't relative and the process for downloading information was time consuming.

The Solution

Upgraded the staff photocopy control system to consist of
40 MB20 copy control terminals and Supervisor net photocopy
management software, which has been integrated with the staff ID cards. Installation was fully operational in July 2004.

The Result

The management software provides MMU with the means to account for individual usage for budgetary control, meaning members of staff now use their ID cards for photocopying and are cautious as they are aware any costs will be charged to them.
The new swipe card system is quicker and easier to use than the old PIN system. In addition to gaining greater control over the University’s photocopying, it has the ability to carry out diagnostics remotely.
The advantage of the new system is that it is in real time, so that the University can now view which machines are currently in use and which ones are faulty, meaning they can immediately deal with it.
The new system has allowed total accountability, reducing paper wastage, misuse and tightened budget cost control.

The Future

MMU is considering the option of offering the same solution to its students.

Quote

"ICS is very attuned to what is happening at the University, they are very positive in their response to dealing with problems."
Mr Squires – Reprographics Manager