The centre has replaced its existing black-and-white fleet with an Océ VarioPrint 6160, a VarioPrint 6250 Gemini, and a VarioPrint 4110.
These are backed up by Océ’s PrismaPrepare pre-press software and a CS665 Pro Colour system, which will handle most of the colour work.
An inline booklet finisher and two Océ VarioLink 2222c colour multifunctional devices completed the order.
The centre has said it aims to keep more print work in-house, and is also looking to win more work from external customers.
It has already been charged with producing materials for the Open University Australia. Plans are now being made to hold an open day for the centre to help attract more users.
Commercial services manager Michael Elias (pictured) said the revamp was the result of a survey across the university’s various departments as to how the print centre’s growth plans fit with the institution’s needs.
“The survey confirmed our fears. We were losing a significant volume of work to outside suppliers due to issues of quality, cost effectiveness and flexibility,” he said. “It became imperative that we revamp the centre’s hardware and software.”
Elias said the centre was now “blitzing its peak demand period” after the presses were installed in January and the centre’s staff trained on the new machines “with a minimum of disruption to our workflow”.
The 6250’s speed boost capability is of particular use to the centre, said Elias.
He added: “This is a significant risk minimisation strategy for us. PrismaPrepare is open software architecture, so it doesn’t limit University of South Australia in choosing hardware vendors in the future to protect our software investment.”
The order marks a trifecta for Océ, with all three of South Australia’s leading universities now using Océ equipment in their print centres.
“We knew the other two South Australian universities – University of Adelaide and Flinders University – were using Océ equipment, but we conducted an extensive and rigorous market evaluation just the same,” Elias said.
“We were looking for a complete solution – hardware, software, workflow and support – and we were also demanding value for money,” he added.
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