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Laser printing at UMIS

By Stephen W. Fausey

The Xerox 4850 laser printer is the latest innovation in the realm of cut-sheet laser printers. Using regular 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper, the 4850 can print in three different modes: simplex--one side of the page, duplex--both sides of the page, and quadraplex--two reduced impact- printer pages on each side of the page. The 4850 can also print in black and one other color, either red or blue, in the same pass. This allows significant savings over the use of pre-printed forms. The use of three-hole-punched paper allows report storage in standard three-ring binders instead of bulky, oversized post binders. Duplex and quadraplex printing will also save significant amounts of paper and storage space, as well as reduce printing costs.

The cost to the client? Simplex--$.017 per impact printer page, the same as impact printing; duplex--$.014 per impact-printer page; and quadraplex--$.009 per impact printer page. For example, a 1,000 page impact-printer report converted to laser printing would cost $17 simplex, $14 duplex, and $9 quadraplex. Color printing adds an additional charge yet to be determined. This pricing structure allows clients to exercise some measure of control over printing costs.

Laser printing also translates into faster turnaround for clients and efficiency improvements at UMIS. UMIS currently prints about 8.5 million pages per year for its various clients on green-bar paper using its three impact printers. Much of this output requires additional labor-intensive steps, such as bursting (separating each page at the perforation) and decollating, which will no longer be necessary with cut-sheet laser printers.

The conversion to laser printing, a three phase process, began with the installation of two laser printers in June 1992. Phase one, the assumption of laser printing previously performed for clients at Sungard (Unicoll), was completed by June 30, 1992. Phase two, the conversion of stock paper (green-bar) impact printing, scheduled for completion by July 1993, is in progress and about 20 percent complete. Phase three, the elimination, where possible, of pre-printed forms and letterheads will be an ongoing process. UMIS also intends to implement all new applications using laser printing where possible.

To date, reports for Student Financial Services, Payroll, and the Registrar's Office have been converted. Michael Merritt, Senior Director, SFS Administrative Support, reports, "We are extremely pleased with the quality of laser output and its ease of use and storage." These thoughts are echoed by Marston Alexander, Assistant Comptroller, Disbursements, and Lonnie Johnson, Director, Administrative Information Systems. Russell Carroll, Director of UMIS Computer and Production Operations, who selected and implemented these printers, believes, "The increased printer speed, ease of operation, and the use of highlight color printing will better enable us to serve all of our clients needs and reduce overall printing costs to the University."

UMIS Operations' savings, due to reduced labor and storage space for stock paper and special forms, coupled with high-quality output and the three-tiered pricing structure for clients, all add up to a "win- win" situation for the University.

For further information or assistance, please contact Steve Fausey at 898-7407 or Russell Carroll at 898-6640.