Online ordering system simplifies printing purchases

Online ordering system simplifies printing purchasesMarch 11, 2004Cynthia J. Moritzcjmoritz@syr.edu

Launched at the beginning of the year, Printing Services’ new online ordering system is earning raves around campus. The new system allows departments to order stationery, business cards and other standard supplies by typing information into an online form, which can be found at http://bfasweb.syr.edu/printing.

“The online ordering process couldn’t be easier and quicker,” says Bookstore Manager Kathy Fonda, who says it stands in stark contrast to the new, quicker system. “For example, I was reordering business cards for a staff member. In the old system we would have tried to locate our copy of the job number from the last printing, made whatever changes necessary on paper, written an ID, and placed the envelope in our campus delivery bin. A while later we would have received a proof via fax, reviewed the proof, corrected it or signed off on it and faxed it back and would have received the cards a few days later.”

Now, says Fonda, the turnaround time is much quicker than the one to two weeks the old system took to run its course. “Now, I placed the order around 4:30 p.m. on a Thursday. Selection and pricing were clear and information was easy to enter. I could see my proof online, make necessary changes and approve. No ID or envelope. The whole process took no more than five minutes. The best part was that we got our business cards the following Tuesday!”

The online form feeds into a printer management system, according to Michael Domachowske, assistant director of Printing Services. To his knowledge, it is the first interactive Web-based system on campus-that is, one in which one computer system feeds into another. The new system has worked very well, with just a few minor glitches. “It’s a learning process, but we’re happy with how it’s worked so far,” Domachowske says.

The new system is the first stage of a two-part project, Domachowske says. Phase Two will, among other things, allow departments to request cost quotes online.