Publish date: 11.08.25

UK universities are operating in an environment of tight budgets, ambitious sustainability targets, and increasing demands from both staff and students for seamless services. Print may not be the first place most institutions look to save money or reduce carbon emissions, but outdated, inefficient print fleets often hide significant costs and environmental impact.

By partnering with Landscape to implement HP Managed Print Services (MPS), universities can modernise their print infrastructure, control expenditure, and support their Net Zero commitments without compromising service quality.

Why Managed Print is a Strategic Move for Universities

For higher education institutions, managed print is about more than replacing old machines with new ones. It solves some of the sector’s most persistent challenges.

Many universities operate complex print environments spread across multiple campuses and buildings. Keeping these systems consistent, efficient, and reliable can be a constant battle for IT teams. With HP MPS, universities gain centralised control over their entire fleet, while still retaining flexibility for individual faculties and departments to meet their unique needs.

Cost control is another driving force. In an era of constrained funding, every pound matters. MPS delivers detailed reporting by department, making it easier to track usage, allocate budgets accurately, and identify areas for savings.

Sustainability is a further priority. Universities are under growing pressure to demonstrate progress towards environmental targets, and print is an area where meaningful gains can be made. HP’s MPS introduces measures such as default duplex printing, secure pull-printing, and reduced paper use, alongside the deployment of energy-efficient devices and participation in recycling schemes like HP Planet Partners.

And while cost and sustainability goals are critical, the day-to-day user experience also matters. Whether it is a student printing coursework or a lecturer preparing teaching materials, MPS supports modern workflows through mobile, card-based, and cloud-enabled printing that works anywhere on campus.

University of York: Driving Down Costs and Carbon

The University of York previously managed a fleet of 1,909 devices producing around 20 million prints a year. Working with Landscape, through the Xeretec Group, the university was able to transform this sprawling infrastructure into a lean, efficient system. The fleet was reduced to 423 HP networked devices, PaperCut software was introduced to enable mobile and secure printing, and an on-site technician was embedded to provide responsive support while lease management was streamlined.

Results at a glance:

  • 17% reduction in total cost of ownership
  • 53% reduction in electricity costs
  • 1 million fewer prints annually
  • 71% reduction in CO₂ emissions
  • 99% uptime, with 90% of callouts resolved within 4 hours

University of York Logo“Our new Managed Print Services means that the university gains from cost and environmental savings, while our staff and students benefit from using the latest HP technology with faster devices and greater productivity, through features such as Mobility Print and integrated scanning, and the third-party print management product, PaperCut.”
– Sarah Peace, Head of Desktop & Printing Services, IT Services

These outcomes demonstrate that with the right strategy, universities can achieve major savings and environmental improvements without disrupting academic operations.

Read full case study >>

Canterbury Christ Church University: Sustainable Success Across Three Campuses

For Canterbury Christ Church University, the challenge lay in replacing an ageing, unreliable fleet spread over three campuses. By working with Landscape via the NEPA framework, the university achieved a full refresh of its devices, introducing energy-efficient HP models that drastically reduced running costs. Supplies were automated to eliminate downtime, and the roll-out was completed in just 13 days without disrupting teaching or administration.

Impact:

  • 66% reduction in electricity costs
  • 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions
  • 100% automated consumables provisioning
  • Roll-out completed in only 13 days

“We were very impressed by the combination of a committed, locally-based service provider, which took a real interest in us and our aspirations, backed by the proven expertise and technology of a global manufacturer in HP.”
– Emily Rowley, Project Manager, Canterbury Christ Church University

The benefits were immediate and measurable, showing how MPS can deliver rapid, sustainable results across a geographically dispersed university estate.

Read full case study >>

What This Means for Higher Education IT Leaders

HP Managed Print Services via Landscape give universities the ability to take control of a traditionally overlooked cost centre and turn it into a source of savings and sustainability gains. For finance leaders, the predictable costs and transparent reporting offer a powerful budgeting tool. For sustainability officers, the environmental benefits directly support Net Zero and ESG commitments. For IT teams, the improved reliability and automated supplies reduce support demands. And for students and staff, the flexibility to print securely from any device, anywhere on campus, creates a smoother, more accessible user experience.

Final Word

For higher education leaders tasked with cutting costs, meeting environmental goals, and maintaining a positive student and staff experience, print management is a high-impact, low-disruption opportunity.

HP Managed Print Services from Landscape provide higher education print solutions that deliver immediate operational savings and long-term environmental benefits, backed by proven success in the UK university sector.