OU Earns Two IPMA Awards

The University of Oklahoma was a big winner at this year's In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association conference. Not only did the Norman-based in-plant win the most In-Print awards (11) for the quality of its printing, the shop earned two of the association's most prestigious honors: Mail Center of the Year and the In-House Promotional Excellence Award.

OU's Central Mail Services was lauded for increasing its business, reorganizing its delivery routes and purchasing value-added equipment while reducing its budget. During the past year:

• More than 66,000 additional pieces of mail were processed in 2008 than in 2007, with the average cost per mail piece decreasing by 9 cents.

• 47 mail stops were added or changed, even as delivery schedules were restructured and the vehicle fleet was cut in half. Resulting savings exceeded $38,000.

• The volume of incoming unsolicited mail has been reduced.

• An MCS Array high-volume printer and a Secap Jet1 tabber were acquired, helping increase volume by 28 percent.

• Seminars ensure that campus materials are designed to be sent at the most economical rates.

"By implementing these changes, the University of Oklahoma has made great improvements in technology," says Administrator John Sarantakos. "And most importantly in troubled economic times, we have been able to deliver significant cost savings."

The in-plant's Promotional Excellence Award is a testament to its close relationship with its customers.

"We try to continually learn more about our customers ... how they do business, what are their goals, etc.," says Sherri Isbell, sales/marketing manager. "This knowledge of their operations allows us to focus on becoming better advisors to them."

Throughout 2008, the in-plant designed a variety of targeted open houses, training sessions and other events that helped to raise customer awareness. The shop celebrated its 100th anniversary with a big open house celebration and followed it up with several others over the year. Printing 101 training programs provided tips on file design, print scheduling, four-color process ink, binding methods, money saving suggestions and Web page ordering. At the end of the year, cookie baskets were hand-delivered to customers along with thank-you cards.

These promotional efforts and many others have made OU Printing Services a model of in-house promotional excellence.

"We are honored to be recognized," declares Isbell.