Hello all,
This week we have a WIT Community Guest Post from Maria Garrity at Buffalo State. Maria agreed to describe a part of her recent work that drew upon a variety of her skills. As you read this, think about how you are building skills that will position you for your next projects. I know that several SUNY's are rolling out their managed print initiatives, so you will no doubt relate to the impact a large project of this type has on the learning/teaching/work environment of your campus. And as an extra- you'll see in the links how the campus used announcements and updates to communicate with their stakeholders...nice!
All the best,
Holly
The Managed Print Services Cost-Saving Initiative at Buffalo State
Today, I would like to share some exciting news about a project being implemented at Buffalo State: The Managed Print Services Cost-Saving Initiative.
This initiative aims to enhance processes and strengthen the security of our networked printers across campus. By standardizing, consolidating, and optimizing the number and types of devices used for printing, faxing and copying, we hope to reduce operating and maintenance costs campus-wide and inspire a cultural shift toward more efficient and secure use of all output devices. I had the privilege of assisting during the inventory phase and we are now entering the design phase of the project.
How I Contributed as Part of the Team
I was selected by the interim CIO of Buffalo State to participate in the inventory phase of the managed print services project. From the outset, I utilized both technical and soft skills to contribute to the project's success. Preparation was key: having inventory lists, maintaining close communication with team members (including sharing cell numbers), and obtaining all office keys ahead of time were crucial.
Technical Skills
My role during the inventory phase involved chaperoning the vendors in conducting a comprehensive search across the campus to identify and catalog all devices related to copying, faxing, and printing. This task required meticulous attention to detail and proficiency with inventory tools and systems. As a result of our collective efforts, we successfully identified over 600 devices across various buildings.
Soft Skills
The project required visiting each department to introduce the Toshiba vendors and facilitate their integration into our processes. Drawing on my SUNY SAIL Leadership training and my Resilient Leadership Award, I managed the challenges of coordinating with different departments and resolving issues as they arose. My skills in communication, relationship-building, and adaptability were instrumental in overcoming obstacles and ensuring smooth operations throughout the inventory phase.
Team Results
By working collaboratively, we completed the inventory and uploaded configurations for all printers, copiers, and faxes within just three days. Our initial meeting with the vendors was highly productive, thanks to their thorough preparation. They referenced an Excel spreadsheet, and we provided campus maps detailing all buildings with devices, which significantly streamlined our process and enhanced our efficiency.
Overall, the combination of effective technical execution and strong interpersonal skills enabled us to complete the inventory part of the project efficiently and successfully. For more updated information about the managed print services project, please find additional project details here.
Thank you.
Senior Programmer/Analyst
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