09 Apr 2024
by Ginevra Pedrotti

Ensuring flexible workflows through print in the public sector

Across the UK Government and other institutions in the public sector, legacy IT systems remain a big problem. Using outdated technology can not only cause errors or failure to deliver services, but also serious risks when it comes to the security of confidential information and ultimately, the reputation of established organisations.  

Print continues to play a crucial part in digital infrastructures across the public sector, with the ability to impact long-term productivity, success and resilience. In fact, according to Quocirca, 49% of public sector organisations experienced data losses in 2023 due to unsecure printing. 

In order to achieve its ambitious priorities efficiently and securely – from decarbonising the economy to Net Zero and Levelling Up the UK in terms of equal opportunity – the Government must ensure that legacy IT, including print ecosystems, are replaced with modern devices and software. 

 

The importance of bridging digital and physical workflows 

Despite ongoing debates about paperless offices, the reality is that organisations still require paper-based documentation, especially as more employees today flex between different work environments. IT decision makers within the public sector must recognise that an efficient modern workstream is one that allows employees to access any type of document, whether in paper or digital form, wherever they need.  

Therefore, it’s important that Government organisations look to manage both digital and physical document workflows during their transformation journeys. Thankfully, this balance is not something they have to navigate alone, with many print vendors observing the changes in working trends and adjusting their product offerings to meet demand.  

While legacy printing systems are often slow and hard to use, smart multi-function printers (MFPs) on the market today can help achieve maximum productivity with advanced print and scanning capabilities. Integrated with cloud connectivity, documents can be securely accessed from any location. Investing in reliable MFPs with cutting-edge technology will enable teams to work in a more streamlined and efficient way, reducing duplicated work and automating manual processes.   

How is Canon supporting public sector organisations? 

Managing print infrastructures can be resource heavy and time consuming for organisations. Beyond hardware, vendors should offer modular and scalable services to manage devices and supporting software. Canon’s Managed Print Services (MPS) give organisations control of their entire print environment, including device maintenance, reviews and analyses, Above all, MPS provide improved security, with a single point of contact to take ownership of issues and escalations. 

Canon’s cloud-based software solution uniFLOW Online offers a single platform that integrates seamlessly into multi-vendor, mixed fleet environments. It offers secure printing, scanning and device management - wherever you are. The introduction of uniFLOW Online has been a significant breakthrough for us at Canon and has further strengthened our offering for the public sector. It has received a Buyers Lab (BLI) 2024 Pick Award for Outstanding Cloud Output Management Solution from  for six consecutive years. 

Fife Council has worked with Canon for over a decade to achieve significant efficiencies in their print and document management strategy. The partnership is built on collaboration, trust, and clearly defined goals, with Canon providing technology, services, best practice, and inspiration, that supports Fife in delivering their citizen and employee centric services.  

Only when Government organisations replace legacy systems and bridge the gap between physical and digital document workflows can they create a future-proof working environment that is flexible, efficient and secure.  

 

Learn more:  https://www.canon.co.uk/centralgov/ 


Heather Cover-Kus

Heather Cover-Kus

Head of Central Government Programme, techUK

Heather is Head of Central Government Programme at techUK, working to represent the supplier community of tech products and services to Central Government.

Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat.  She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.

Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.

Email:
[email protected]
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538

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Ellie Huckle

Ellie Huckle

Programme Manager, Central Government, techUK

Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.

The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!

Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.

When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
020 7331 2015
Twitter:
@techUK,@techUK
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx

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Annie Collings

Annie Collings

Programme Manager, Cyber Security and Central Government, techUK

Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. In this role, she supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector.

Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.

Email:
[email protected]
Twitter:
anniecollings24
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/

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Austin Earl

Austin Earl

Programme Manager, Central Government, techUK

Austin joined techUK’s Central Government team in March 2024 to launch a workstream within Education and EdTech.

With a career spanning technology, policy, media, events and comms, Austin has worked with technology communities, as well as policy leaders and practitioners in Education, Central and Local Government and the NHS.

Cutting his teeth working for Skills Matter, London’s developer community hub, Austin then moved to GovNet Communications where he launched Blockchain Live and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Summit. For the last 3 years he has worked with leaders in Education across the state and independent schools sectors, from primary up to higher education, with a strong research interest in technology and education management.

Email:
[email protected]
Phone:
07891 743 932
Website:
www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-spencer-earl/

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Ella Gago-Brookes

Ella Gago-Brookes

Team Assistant, Markets, techUK

Ella joined techUK in November 2023 as a Markets Team Assistant, supporting the Justice and Emergency Services, Central Government and Financial Services Programmes.  

Before joining the team, she was working at the Magistrates' Courts in legal administration and graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022.  Ella attained an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, and a master's degree in International Relations and Security Studies, with a particular interest in studying asylum rights and gendered violence.  

In her spare time she enjoys going to the gym, watching true crime documentaries, travelling, and making her best attempts to become a better cook.  

Email:
[email protected]

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Authors

Ginevra Pedrotti

Ginevra Pedrotti

Business Development Manager, Central Government, Canon EMEA