THE BIG LIFE GROUP
PRINT MANAGEMENT Case StudyBrief Overview
The Big Life Group is a group of organisations dedicated to combating inequality, fostering opportunities, and inspiring societal change, and have been a customer of Woodbank’s since 2012. They manage Big Issue North Trust, which produces a weekly magazine sold by vendors with no other income means, Big Life Centres, community centres in Hulme and Moss Side, Big Life Schools, a growing multi-academy trust, Big Life Company, and Self Help, a user-led mental health charity.
With busy sites offering numerous services and a diverse array of visitors coming through their doors on a daily basis, the Big Life Group require a secure and manageable print management solution.
New Challenge
Throughout the years, we have supported The Big Life Group by providing upgraded printers as and when needed and supported them with the challenge of synchronising the contract end dates for each printer. Recently, The Big Life Group sought to upgrade their printers and align them all on a streamlined lease and support contract, as well as introduce new security measures for their print solution. Mo Chunara, IT Manager for The Big Life Group, reached out to their Corporate Account Manager at Woodbank, Dave Duffy, to discuss these needs.
The Solution
After a review of their set-up and current agreements, Woodbank proposed and implemented a comprehensive solution, which included:
New Multifunctional Printers: We proposed the upgrade of 10 new Konica Minolta Multifunctional Printers with a 5-year service support contract and gave The Big Life Group the option of retaining additional smaller machines as back-up.
The installation of the machines across all sites took just under a week and was scheduled to fit their timescale.
PaperCut Hive: We recommended this cloud-based print management software for its ability to reduce paper waste, create a clear print audit trail, and allow for secure print release, supporting their carbon footprint goals by managing print volume. The software also bolstered their internal commitment to data security, as it is ISO 27,001 accredited.
The software was initially trialled at Longsight Community Primary School in Manchester. The successful trial led to its rollout across other sites within the group such as community centres Zion Centre and Kathlocke Centre, and lifestyle improvement service providers Living Well Rochdale and Living Well Tameside.
The Results
The Big Life Group has experienced several benefits from the new solution, including:
- Improved Reliability: The seamless upgrade process ensured no downtime, providing new and improved functionality across new 10 Konica devices.
- Streamlined Lease Agreements: All machines now have synchronised start and end dates, simplifying print management for their IT department.
- Enhanced Security and Control: The new secure print management software allows the IT department to easily monitor, analyse and manage their print activity.
- Streamlined Devices: By using devices with Hive secure print release enabled, certain departments no longer need their own device to ensure that they are safe to print. They can simply send to print to any device and it won’t release until they log in.
“Two thumbs up. Dave’s been my Account Manager at Woodbank for over 10 years. I know I can rely on Woodbank, a phone call and everything gets sorted. Very good company to work with, efficient, resourceful, trustworthy, and good to build a long-term relationship.
They understand and appreciate the requirements that our business needs, even in changing times. Woodbank have always been there to help whenever there’s a need. They always have a solution.”
– Mo Chunara (IT Manager)