Case Study – BC Ferries
Background
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., or BC Ferries, is known for safety, spectacular scenery and a proud maritime history. What began in 1960 as a two vessel, two terminal operation has grown into one of the largest, most sophisticated ferry transportation systems in the world, with 36 vessels and up to 47 ports of call. The BC Ferries fleet provides service on 25 routes along the coast of British Columbia, Canada. As the primary provider of coastal ferry transportation in the province, BC Ferries recognizes its unique role in the region’s economy. In 2009, BC Ferries was looking for ways to reduce their total costs of print, while significantly increasing their services levels.
Challenges
Geographically spread out fleet. Over-Deviced. No Standards. Cost overruns.
Solutions
Realizing that they were significantly over-deviced and that their fleet was possibly under-utilized, BC Ferries was actively searching for a partner that could help them manage their existing fleet while they decided on brining in a new MFP standard. Wading through existing and expiring contracts, it was evident that BC Ferries needed a print-focused partner to help control their imaging fleet.
1. Total Cost Accountability
With the goal of providing a cost per copy billing agreement, PrinterWorks helped identify areas where existing toner and service costs had escalated out of control. By utilizing PrinterWorks’ remote monitoring tool, and by measuring actual usage, it was determined that BC Ferries could save more than $200,000 by simply adjusting their existing supplies contract.
2. Total Service Accountability
With locations spread up and down the rugged BC coastline, servicing BC Ferries entire fleet was a challenge. PrinterWorks overcame this potential barrier by implementing their Electronic Service Control system, and by leveraging their National Print Services Alliance network. Under the PrinterWorks service system, BC Ferries now has the ability to measure service response times across their entire imaging fleet.
3. Total Management Accountability
Realizing that the fleet was significantly over-deviced and under-utilized, BC Ferries contracted PrinterWorks to help discover, design, and implement all of their major site offices. By adhering to a new “standard” set of products, and by understanding the true print volumes, BC Ferries is now building a streamlined printer fleet that can keep up and match the productivity of its proud ferries fleet!
“We used to measure printer service in days, now we measure it in hours”
- Doug Caton, Manager, Information Technologies, BC Ferries.
