NRG is working in partnership with Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) to deliver a managed print service to the Royal Mail Group throughout the UK. Computer Sciences Corproation is on eof the world's leading information technology (IT) services.
It provides customers in industry and government with solutions crafted to meet their specificrequirements, enabling them to profit from the advanced use of technology. CSC headsup the Prism Alliance, working in association with BT and Xansa, which is responsiblefor providing the new IT infrastructure for Royal Mail Group and managing its IT operations for the next 10 years.
Improving profitability for Royal Mail Group
Royal Mail Group’s contract with CSC is an important part of its renewal plans to return the business to profitability. The managed print service provided by NRG in partnershipwith CSC and the introduction of state of the art technology will help to move the businessforward and save around £2-£3m per year. In addition print costs will be more visible and easier to control.
New print strategy
This is a large and complex project to manage the Royal Mail Group’s entire print output,which involves the rationalisation and replacement of equipment in its four business units:Royal Mail Plc, Parcel Force Worldwide, Post Office Limited and Retained IT at 1,700locations throughout the UK. NRG surveyed each site then created a full print strategy inconsultation with Royal Mail Group and CSC. It was implemented over a 15 month period and completed at the end of April 2007. NRG’s contract with CSC extends for seven years, including a monthly management fee, and is expected to cover in excess of 220 million prints per year.
Multifunctional platform
The introduction of a digital multifunctional platform and new data networks enabled CSC to reduce the number of individual items of equipment from 19,000 to just over 4,000.Networked devices which can print, scan, copy and fax have replaced separate printers,photocopiers and faxes in many cases. In addition, the requirements of each workplacehave been assessed so they can be met more accurately and cost-effectively.
Daren Masterman, Technical Project Manager at NRG comments: “As NRG is contracted to CSC, both CSC and Royal Mail Group benefit from significant cost savings and efficiency improvements. In addition, the research and planning involved in this project has ensured that the managed print service provided to Royal Mail Group will serve them well into the future.For example, equipment can be easily upgraded when the time comes because of theaccurate asset register that we have created.” Royal Mail, Assets Project Manager, Veronica Shaw said: "We've made significant savings with Managed Print Services and the feedback from users has been positive. Other organisations embarking on this sort of project need to plan carefully and think about their diverse operational and people needs."
CSC perspective
CSC is very pleased with the relationship it has developed with NRG over the duration of the project. Deborah Major, EMEA Procurement Manager at CSC UK comments: “As a result of the Royal Mail Group success, CSC, in partnership with NRG, is now developing a Global Service Offering around managed print services. Each project is unique and brings different challenges. In order to respond to each situation it requires a partner who is not just price competitive and technically competent but one who demonstrates versatility and innovation in their approach.
This is, in my opinion, where NRG differentiates.” David Stanley, CSC Programme Director, adds: “We’ve had no major problems at all and the partnership with NRG is working really well. They are very professional and technically competent. They’ve also been flexible and accommodating,pushing through orders quickly when we needed them. It really is a win-win-win situation, as everybody gains and the client receives an excellent service while making significant cost savings.”
David Stanley concludes: “This project has been unique in many aspects; its size, the infrastructure and culture within the Royal Mail Group and the way the business operates– it’s different to standard office environments as printers are used more as operational tools than just for document printing. It’s been a challenge all round, but it’s been fun!”
