Partnership Case Study Howarth Timber & AFP Digital Ltd
Howarth Timber sees the wood for the trees through its managed print system
Howarth Timber Group is the UK’s largest privately owned Timber Company. It comprises a network of 28 timber and builders merchant branches, throughout England, specialist timber treatment, milling and machining facilities, providing a complete service to professional
tradesmen, major
construction companies, self-builders and committed DIY enthusiasts, and a kitchen design department.
Jonathan Read is Howarth Timber’s Service Delivery Manager, responsible for recommending cost-saving IT projects. “The priority was to review our printing costs and productivity associated with our Kerridge K8 financial trading and control systems”, he said. “Our existing fleet of Lexmark laser printers was 5 years old, with escalating operating and maintenance costs due to expensive parts, and extended down time was the norm due to part availability and the age of the machines. There were also a lot of unknown and uncontrolled printing costs at some branches, so I didn’t feel in control.”
Jonathan met Andrew Bennell, of AFP Digital, the local provider of Olivetti business and IT solutions, to discuss a managed print solution. They discussed how new high speed laser printers and MFP products could lower the cost of printing from the Kerridge K8 trading system, improve efficiency in the back office function and, most importantly, raise service levels.
Andrew Bennell explained; “After a feasibility study, taking into account all Jonathan’s requirements, we recommended the Olivetti PGL 2045, a 45 ppm black and white laser printer, with extremely long-life
Building & Facilities Management – November 2010
consumables, which means that they would not need replacing as often, if at all, apart from the occasional toner. We offered an all-inclusive service package which guarantees no capital outlay. It would also enable Jonathan to leave the servicing to us, and set up a dedicated hot-line for all users, and respond to any problems within 4 hours’.
He went on to say; “We installed a machine for a month, at Howarth’s largest branch, in Wakefield, to see how they got on with it. At the end of the trial, it was decided that the PGL2045 and the d-Copia 284MF, a 28ppm MFP device was the preferred printer mix.
Once the go ahead was given, AFP Digital carried out feasibility studies throughout Howarth’s network and has since installed machines into 20 more branches. In addition to the branches, Howarth Timber’s Merchant Accounts department installed a 22ppm black and white MFP machine, the Olivetti d-Copia 2200MF, and the Kitchen Design department, in Leeds, who need high quality colour for their design proofs, are now using an Olivetti d-Color P221.
“We are well on the way to achieving our goals” explained Jonathan, “and what is really good with the AFP system, is it has removed the burden of managing a fleet of print devices, we have saved the company money and my department now has the time, and resources, to focus on delivering new and innovative systems for the business rather than dealing with printer issues”.
AFP Digital is now rolling out the same frame-work for Howarth’s Timber Engineering and Windows and Doors divisions.
www.afpdigital.co.uk feature :: office horizons 15
“The machines had to perform all the functions of the existing devices and to increase the efficiency of the branches, without spending too much in the first instance”.
Olivetti d-Copia 284MF
Olivetti PGL 2045
For more details about the information contained within this story please contact: Andrew Bennell at AFP Digital on 01924 201 737
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