- Elisha Kasinskas
- |
- August 17, 2017
This article is the second of a series introducing each of the three in-plant panelists on the Print 17 panel I'll be moderating September 11th titled "In-Plant Panel: Bold Moves for the Future." The session features in-plant leaders in Healthcare, Higher Education and non-profit. In-plants need to make "bold moves" to survive and secure their future. Panelists will talk about one new service and one new initiative that each of them are working on or has deployed and the impact of the new services and initiatives on their organizations. In our last post, we featured UPMC's Amanda Bronowski. This time we'll get a closeup of Laura Lockett, the in-plant leader at CSU's Sacramento State.
Introducing: Laura Lockett, Sacramento State, Print 17 In-plant Panelist
Laura Lockett is the Interim Director of Reprographics & Mail Services at Sacramento State, one of 23 campuses in the California State University System with an FTE of 31,000 students. Lockett has a Bachelor's of Science in Graphic Design from Sacramento State. In her 30+ years with the university and its in-plant she has been an estimator, graphic designer, production supervisor, adjunct faculty and assistant to the director prior to her current role. The in-plant supports over 3,000 faculty and staff in addition to providing class assignment print support for students. The print shop staff of seven produces 5.9 million impressions per year and the mail center staff of five processes over 1.8 million mail pieces annually.
New Outdoor Wide Format Service & an Initiative to Secure New Workflow Automation Software
As the new director, Lockett has spent the past year leading her department through change, including hiring over 50% of the team, expanding services, researching and investing in new equipment and technology and developing a three-year strategic plan. One area of focus has been the expansion of the wide format department. Last summer the print production supervisor was tasked with coordinating outdoor signage printing with the campus Facilities Management team and the California Fire Marshall. The result of these efforts allowed the in-plant to take on the exterior signage for the College of Arts and Letters and partner with Residential Life and Athletics to brand a residential hall with the "Finish in 4" initiative. The in-plant has also partnered with Athletics to install several wall graphics. Lockett stated, "These are services the campus had been outsourcing or seeking a source to produce. Being able to meet a university need and add a revenue stream has been beneficial for everyone."
A new initiative the print shop is undertaking is the research, purchase, and implementation of a new print MIS system to replace an antiquated system and the addition of a Web to print solution. The project has involved an extensive review of production processes, a customer survey and partnership with the University's Information Resources & Technology (IRT) division. There also have been countless demonstrations, webinars and peer Q & A sessions. Lockett notes "Being able to serve the campus community in a more timely, and cost-effective manner, in addition to automating workflows and expanding the types of services we can offer will continue to ensure the success of our unit."
Lockett will discuss the new service and the workflow software initiative in the September 11 panel session.