As the fall semester kicks off, in-plant print operations shift into high gear. From course packets and student handbooks to athletic programs and campus marketing campaigns, the demand for high-quality, fast-turnaround printing skyrockets. For many colleges and universities, this is the busiest time of year— and the perfect time to ask: Is your in-plant equipped to meet the challenge?

As August rolls in, the theme of “back to school” is everywhere — but it’s not just for students and teachers. Businesses, schools, and organizations alike can take inspiration from the season to refresh, upgrade, and optimize their technology. 

With hybrid work models, evolving cybersecurity threats, and the need for better collaboration tools, there’s never been a better time to give your IT infrastructure a fresh start. 

This month, SumnerOne is focused on helping businesses transition smoothly into the second half of the year with strategic IT services and technology upgrades that improve performance, security, and efficiency. 

The summer might be winding down, but for school leaders and administrators, the pace is only picking up. The back-to-school season is a whirlwind of activity, and it's also your prime time to get your institution's operations in top shape for the academic year ahead. To help ensure that your campus is prepared to function efficiently, securely, and effectively, take time to assess your school's print technology.

From essential administrative documents to vibrant marketing materials for upcoming school events, a successful academic year hinges on a robust and reliable print infrastructure. Keep reading to learn how modern print solutions can turn this busy season into an opportunity for operational excellence.

With cyberattacks targeting schools on the rise, IT leaders must look beyond traditional network defenses to ensure every data pathway is secure. One often-overlooked area? The print environment. Printers and MFPs are now sophisticated, network-connected devices — making them potential entry points for hackers and data leaks.  

Before the new school year begins, IT teams should take a proactive approach to ensure their print infrastructure aligns with security best practices, compliance mandates such as FERPA, and the demands of a modern, hybrid education environment.  

The first day of school will be here before you know it. While students enjoy their final weeks of summer, school administrators, IT managers, and print center leaders know it’s time to get organized. Whether you’re supporting a K-12 district or a college campus, proactive planning now can help eliminate printing headaches coming in August.

At SumnerOne, we work closely with schools across the Midwest to ensure their document management infrastructure runs smoothly year-round. Here’s our quick and actionable School Summer Checklist to prepare your print and document environment for a successful new year. 

Now it’s the perfect time for in-plant print managers in higher education to assess how their operations are performing. From admissions brochures to course packets, athletics programs to alum outreach materials, your shop plays a mission-critical role across departments. But how do you measure success? 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide a data-driven approach to understanding your in-plant’s effectiveness, identifying areas for improvement, and showcasing your value to stakeholders. Whether you’re reporting to procurement, administration, or IT, these metrics can help secure future funding, justify equipment upgrades, and align your shop’s services with campus needs. 

Here are five essential KPIs every higher ed in-plant should be tracking—and why they matter. 

As July rolls around, educators and administrators across K-12 and higher education are deep into preparation mode for the upcoming academic year. From student registration packets to course syllabi, school directories to promotional materials, summer is a critical window for aligning print infrastructure and processes. 

But too often, poor print planning can lead to costly bottlenecks, missed deadlines, and operational inefficiencies that impact the first weeks of school. Whether you're managing an in-plant print shop or coordinating with an outside vendor, here are six common back-to-school print mistakes to avoid — and how to get ahead of them.