Digital Transitions

University of Missouri

Columbia, Mo.

Not only is University of Missouri-Columbia Printing Services the largest printer in town, it also recently became the offset printing arm of the town's local government.

"The City of Columbia's in-plant closed its offset printing operation, and we set up a meeting to see if we could help them meet their printing needs," says Rick Wise, director of the university's in-plant. "The city is now a regular printing customer for us."

This isn't all the in-plant has been up to, however; it's also been converting its Quick Copy operation from "off-the-glass-only" copying to digital printing with electronic access.

"We are currently enhancing our [toner-based] operation with a new 'digital storefront' for campus customers," Wise explains. "With this Web-based access, our customers will be able to select our icon on their computer screen, send us their electronic file and order digital printing online.

"Our storefront will automatically convert their file to a PDF and bounce a soft proof back to their screen," he continues. "They can then approve the proof online and give us the OK to produce their job. This way their Word files, for example, will not require printing until we output them on our high-speed digital printers. This gives our customers higher print quality, more paper and bindery options, and a much lower cost for volume jobs, when compared to outputting this work on the desktop ink-jet or laser printers."

The in-plant has 10 copy centers around campus, including one at the main printing facility. Two of these have already been enhanced with electronic-access digital printing capabilities; three more are nearing completion of the conversions.

"We believe this considerable commitment of time, resources and energy will help us secure our 'copying' business in the future, as it evolves into the digital/electronic business," Wise says.

Digitally equipping itself for the future, with products that are available online via an enhanced e-store, the in-plant continues to expand its value-added services and customer service offerings. Campus customers can order digital printing online, as well as offset products, such as stationary and business cards. They can also request estimates and submit jobs through the main Web site.

"Our customer service staff still plays a very active part in processing these electronically submitted printing orders and estimates," emphasizes Wise. "Our operation is large because of our long history of customer service and supportive administrations, with past directors such as Harold Perry, Donnie Wren and Wayne Merritt. The foresight and guidance of these three people, plus input from many other professionals at Printing Services, has kept our operation responsive and viable."

Wise also acknowledges the important role all 120 Printing Services employees have played in the in-plant's success.

"We've been blessed with excellent employees," he lauds. "Through the years, we have been able to stay focused on our customers' needs."

With an annual operating budget of $7.54 million, University of Missouri-Columbia Printing Services is a self-funded, chargeback operation. Its modern facility recently added a Xerox DocuColor 2060 and a two-color Heidelberg QM47 with a Quicksetter 350 computer-to-plate unit.

by CHERYL A. ADAMS