Need to print something at King Library? You can use the King Café printer, the CIM Lab printer, the lobby printer, the second floor printer or the children's section printer, just to name a few.

Although those printers are on a pay-per-use basis, printers throughout university departments are usually not.

In an effort to understand and contain escalating printing and copying costs at Miami University, IT Services and the department of purchasing have coordinated the bigPRINT initiative.

To further this objective, Miami partnered with Modern Office Methods (MOM) to find ways to save money when it comes to copying, printing and other office tasks. The initiative will provide the university with the opportunity for newer technology as well as an opportunity to become more environmentally friendly.

"The bigPRINT team is currently visiting each university department to assess what is the most efficient and cost-effective copier, printer and scanner configuration for each individual area," said Kristin Kieffer, the bigPRINT coordinator and assistant director of IT communications. "Recommendations will be made to replace and consolidate older, outdated equipment with equipment appropriate for the departments based on a workflow and usage analysis."

According to Kieffer, part of the solution in some areas will be a blend of laser printers as well as multi-function devices that provide printing, copying, scanning and faxing in one unit. The multi-function devices will feature duplex (double-sided) printing and copying as the default output.

Kieffer said the devices will utilize laser technology, which will reduce costly ink jet consumption across campus. In areas where copiers and printers are in newer condition, MOM will offer departments the ability to opt-in for maintenance and supply management to keep their printing and maintenance costs under control.

Although cost savings will vary among departments, Kieffer said the program could save the university as much as 30 percent printing costs or approximately $400,000 per year.

Kieffer said Miami will save a large sum of money by directing all its purchases to MOM as opposed to the seven print vendors previously used.

"Miami's goal for this project is to gain participation from the majority of our university departments," Kieffer said. "By leveraging the buying power with one vendor, Miami will maximize the amount of money and electricity saved in addition to new technology for the faculty, staff and students."

According to Kieffer, participation in the initiative will make Miami more environmentally friendly by using of modern, energy-efficient devices, reducing paper consumption through high-speed double-sided printing and reducing waste through a toner cartridge recycling program.

She added electronic document storage solutions, another eco-friendly quality of the initiative, will be the next phase implemented over the next year. The new devices will enable students and faculty to scan a hard copy of text, digitize it and electronically store and record the documents.

Junior Jenna Harmon said she supports the program.

"I think it sounds great," Harmon said. "Hopefully the benefits of the initiative will outweigh any difficulties people have with the printers. If we can save money and help the environment at the same time, it sounds like a good plan."