Something Extra In Baton Rouge

Managers of southern universities got together for the 25th year, this time in Louisiana.

Lagniappe is a word not easily translated into English. But to the 152 participants from 75 different institutions who were fortunate enough to attend the 25th annual Southeastern University Printing and Duplicating Manager's Conference (SUPDMC) in Baton Rouge, La., recently it's something they experienced first hand.

Lagniappe (pronounced lan-yap) is a Cajun-French word meaning "something extra." And that's what every participant got from the workshops, speakers, vendors, food, festivities, entertainment and hospitality provided by LSU's Graphics Services Department, which hosted the event.

One of the newest and hottest services to evolve from the dotcom world, Inplantalliance.com, captured the attention of attendees. A division of Printeralliance.com, Inplantalliance.com is a national alliance of in-plant printers.

"Inplantalliance.com makes it possible for in-plant printers to take advantage of collective buying power, thus enabling them to operate more cost effectively, be more competitive and ultimately increase profits," said John Zeglinski, vice president of sales.

Joining the alliance, which recently partnered with IPMA, involves no out-of-pocket costs, he said. The annual membership fee is paid out of the initial rebates received from orders placed through the site.

"We have negotiated national rebate programs with many leading manufacturers, distributors and service providers in the printing industry," Zeglinski said. "We currently have or are in the process of negotiating programs involving paper, ink, film, plates, equipment, chemicals, waste, freight, office supplies, insurance and even electricity."

A PDF Workflow

Another noteworthy presentation came from Bernice O'Hara, of Continuum Integrating PDF Technologies. She facilitated workshops on utilizing PDF technologies in prepress workflow. Sessions emphasized and demonstrated the importance of educating print clientele in properly preparing PDF files prior to prepress submission.

The vendor support at the conference was commendable. Twenty-three vendors displayed their products, services and wares. Danka displayed its DigiMaster 9110 printing system, while Xerox demonstrated its 6135 printer with Digipath 2.0 software. Canopy was on hand to explain the power behind the Xeikon printer, and MicroInk Systems, printCafe Hagen and Parsec demonstrated their printing management systems. NetPaper.com showed its all-inclusive publishing service.

Of course, a conference wouldn't be complete without touring the host's printing plant. LSU Graphic Services, lead by director Mike Loyd, is one of the five largest university in-plants in the nation, according to the IPG Top 50. Employing over 100 people, LSU Graphic Services comprises mailing, graphic design, printing, copying centers and the university copier management program.

Besides seeing the shop's six-color 28˝ Mitsubishi press in operation, along with seven other large offset presses, spectators were privileged to see the space where a new 40˝ MAN Roland two-color perfector will soon be installed.

Lagniappe? You'd better believe it. This conference proved to be the textbook definition of the word. Hospitality was key, but the "something extra" received by every participant was inevitably the knowledge shared, the knowledge gained and the acquaintances made. IPG

by Ken Macro

Ken Macro, formerly of the University of Akron, is now assistant director of Reprographic and Mailing Services at the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif. You can contact him at: kmacro@calpoly.edu&012;.