The Open University, whose 200,000 students make it the UK’s largest, has introduced Océ digital printing systems and software.
The Open University has replaced its previous printers with two centralized Océ VarioPrint 2110 units, a CS520 color printer, a GBC Hole Punch and a high-capacity digital scanner. A Watkiss online finishing system has also been installed to carry out saddle stitching, folding and trimming for high-end booklet making.
In line with the university’s desire to move to electronic image submissions and job ticketing, it also opted for Océ DocWorks Pro software that will link into other printing systems as well as provide a cost-estimation module. A full digital front-end workflow will create greater day-to-day efficiencies.
The responsibility for on-site digital printing at the Milton Keynes based campus previously came under the Learning and Teaching Solutions department, but was transferred to the university’s Computing Services department last year. This coincided with the need to update the aged printing equipment, reassess the facilities offered and provided an opportunity to reflect on how to provide an easy-to-use service to the university’s staff.
Jan Buley, The Open University’s Production Manager, Central Printing Services, said: “Océ’s system is already showing significant benefits - and we would hope to make substantial savings in our digital printing costs in the future, bearing in mind there are around 15 million digital print impressions made every year.”