MOUNT VERNON — Knox County
elected officials met Thursday morning with representatives from MT Business
Technologies to discuss a proposed Total Output Management program. In attendance
were commissioners Teresa Bemiller and Bob Wise, Knox County Juvenile Court Judge
James Ronk, Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher, Knox County Auditor Jonette
Curry and Knox County Treasurer Sandra Mizer.
Joe Monastra, sales representative for MT, explained the program in which he
said “could be a substantial cost savings.” The program would coordinate
the use of copiers, printers and FAX machines for each county office and department
without changing the hardware infrastructure.
Under an outlined plan, MT would analyze output systems to determine current
cost base, develop an overall output strategy that would increase cost effectiveness,
and calculate a fixed page price that would include maintenance and supplies.
The client would then outsource all the administration of these systems to MT
Business Technologies which would then provide a single source for logistics,
servicing and upgrades. In a nutshell, the program manages the service, labor,
parts and consumables for all the existing devices.
“We take a look at the entire printer fleet,” said Jason Young, Total
Output Management representative for MT. “We would get meter readings of
each piece, do this again in 30 days then give a summary of our recommendations.
We can then offer a price per page based on our findings.”
Monostra added the program could bill on a per office basis or one bill for the
entire county. They could also bill monthly or quarterly.
Mizer explained that she can have an ebb and flow in her needs where one month
may see a lot of printing and the following month very little. Young stated that
they can note that in an assessment and take that into account. Depending on
usage, rates could also be lowered down the road.
“It makes sense to look at this since there is no charge for an assessment,” said
Bemiller. Mizer stressed that it has the potential to be cost effective in the
long run. Ronk noted that potentially having fewer printers may mean more trips
of getting up and walking to the printer.
Thatcher suggested that copies of the program be sent to every office, requesting
feedback; and that a date be established to make a decision to proceed. Curry
volunteered to get copies out to each office so the program can be reviewed by
everyone potentially involved.
