Expert Konica Minolta team deploy 42 MFDs in three days during Covid-19 lock-down at Writtle University College.
Writtle University College was due to launch a major Konica Minolta multifunction device (MFD) refresh just as the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown was announced. With the University College closed and movement restrictions in place, this large-scale implementation looked set to be postponed. Not in this case. A sole expert Konica Minolta engineer, working closely with the University College’s Operations Managers, deployed 42 MFDs and software in just three days – all the while respecting rigorous workplace social distancing guidelines. Following this remarkable display of commitment and capability, the University College is now on track to save £75,000 over five years while transforming education workplace productivity.
Writtle’s partnership with Konica Minolta dates back to 2016, to a time when the College was frustrated by flaws in the incumbent vendor’s service delivery. “We were relying on a fragmented fleet of MFDs and LaserJet printers across the University, explains Mike Coe, IS&T Operational Manager. “Konica Minolta proposed a managed service approach, at considerably lower cost and higher quality – and we were confident it was the solution we needed.” Scroll forward four years and that original successful contract was due for renewal. “ With 42 unified MFDs and PaperCut print management software under a managed service programme scheduled for deployment across the expansive 180-hectare University estate, the starting gun was fired for the implementation. And then Covid-19 hit. In accordance with Government guidelines to limit the spread of the virus, the campus was quickly closed to students and only a skeleton number of staff remained on site. The deployment looked set to be postponed, possibly indefinitely.
However, the lockdown didn’t deter Konica Minolta. Reflecting the company’s wide-reaching, long-held focus on customer service and satisfaction, the Konica Minolta team went ahead with the deployment, fully respecting social distancing and other Government safety guidelines. A detailed installation plan was agreed between Konica Minolta and Writtle in advance through a series of calls. This included preparation of a timed schedule specifying devices and locations, as well as preparation of installation locations. Software was installed and tested by Konica Minolta before the devices were packed up and transported to Writtle. This combination of planning and pre-installation work was undertaken to minimise the time required for anyone to be on-site at the campus. Then the physical implementation began, both the removal of the legacy equipment and the installation of the new systems. In just three days, one Konica Minolta engineer worked with an expert Relay team (a specialist transport services provider) and the IS&T team to install all 42 MFDs across the campus.
Over time, Konica Minolta showed themselves to be a trusted partner and there was no hesitation in inviting them to tender for this new contract. Their professionalism, proactive support and understanding of our strategy shone through. Following a comprehensive audit of our existing estate and our objectives, Konica Minolta won the contract convincingly.
Mike Coe
IS&T Operational Manager
Managed Print Services
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