Re: Unified Printing

[Keith Furrow <kfurrow () PCC EDU>]

Three years ago we implemented GoPrint for a dozen or so computer
centers with 18,000 student accounts and 500 or so workstations across
four campuses.  The procedure is to be expanded to cover approximately
60,000 students, 100 computer centers/classrooms and 2000 or so
workstations this summer. We've printed around 2.5 million pages between
September 2008 and March 2009 using the current implementation which is
housed on a single server.  The trick for us was to locate/develop a
good LDAP source for credentials.

We showed an initial 50% decrease in printer usage and removed the
ability of our "problem students" to print thousands of pages (most of
which were left for recycling).  We are currently placing enough "free
currency" in each student's account for 150 double-sided prints each
quarter.  After that the students may purchase printing credits in $5 to
$20 increments via credit card or through our business offices.  Alas,
year by year, printing is again on the rise.  Reporting through GoPrint
canned reports is pretty good; if you have someone who can write SQL
queries the reporting can be excellent.

-- Keith Furrow
-- Portland Community College
-- kfurrow () pcc edu
-- Telephone: 503-978-5260



Shamblin, Quinn (shamblqn) wrote:
> Question for the larger universities out there:  Is there anyone out there that is doing unified printing in a complex 
> environment (multiple colleges/departments/buildings spread out over an area with a large volume of varied printing 
> needs)?
>
> Just to make sure we are on the same page: Unified Printing is a "centralized means by which an enterprise can manage and 
> better utilize their printing assets".  In this type of setup, all print jobs for an entire institution are typically set to 
> a print server or servers then routed back to the printer.
>
> If you have been able to do this successfully, what approach did you take? Did you achieve any of the touted advantages?
> (The ability to monitor printer usage, consistency of printer setup/security across the institution, cost savings due to 
> having the ability to understand/manage the institution's print needs as a whole, reduced need for staff/training due 
> to centralized control)
>
> I'd be interested in any success stories in a complex environment ...or any horror stories for that matter :)
>
> Thanks!
>
> Regards,
>
> Quinn R. Shamblin
> Senior Information Security Officer
> GCFA, CISSP, PMP
> University of Cincinnati
> (513) 556-0803
> quinn.shamblin () uc edu

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