Colorado State University // Case Study
Facilitating Good Stewardship of Public Funds
Office products partnership provides clear benefits to campus and community
Case Study Snapshot
Workplace Challenge:
University wanted to reduce
costs, leverage its $2 million
spend on core office products,
find new operational efficiencies
and create new revenue streams
CSU also sought added value
for students, alumni and friends
of the university
Workplace Solution:
> Chose OfficeMax WorkplaceSM
to serve as preferred supplier
of office products for
departments, extension offices,
forest service, bookstore and
support offices
> Initiatives to reduce waste and
increase use of environmentally
preferable products
> Drive down overall
procurement costs
> Add value to campus and
Business Challenge
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University (CSU) is one of the nation’s leading
universities with world-class research in infectious disease, atmospheric science,
clean energy technologies and environmental science. Serving over 30,000
students, CSU (colostate.edu) is one of the state’s most important economic
growth engines and a cornerstone of Colorado’s economic future.
alumni community
Workplace Anticipated Results:
> Lower costs, with CSU
typically saving an average of
14 percent on core items
> Enhanced spend visibility
> Increased efficiencies and
simplified processes
> Paid internships, scholarships
and affinity program discounts
In line with its commitment to finding new operational efficiencies and creating new revenue
streams through innovative thinking, CSU sought a strategic and innovative partner to help
reduce costs and better leverage its $2 million spend on core office products. In addition, the
University was looking to deliver added value to the campus and its community in the form
of internships and scholarships to students, as well as significant office supply discounts to
students, alumni and friends of the university.
Solution
In January 2011, after an extensive Request for Proposal (RFP) process and thorough review of
proposals and options, CSU chose OfficeMax Workplace to serve as the preferred supplier of office
products for CSU’s departments, extension offices, forest service, bookstore and support offices.
“While the OfficeMax Workplace team is proud of the cost savings we were able to deliver, we
are particularly excited to take the traditional client model of ‘campus-only business’ and expand
the model to encompass alumni, corporate partners and more,” explained Tim Burgett,
Vice President, National Accounts-West for OfficeMax Workplace.
© 2013 OMX, Inc. 1329SP_CSU CS
Colorado State University // Case Study
Highlights of the program include:
> Significant contract cost savings on core list items (the 1000
most commonly purchased office products) for the University,
CSU Extension offices, Colorado State Forest Service offices
and Agricultural Experiment Station offices.
> Affinity program discounts for all CSU students, alumni,
friends, corporate partners and donors, available on the
Web and in OfficeMax® retail locations. All sales generated
from the affinity program will result in a rebate back to
the university.
> Paid internships for CSU students, which will provide business
experience and opportunities for these future leaders.
OfficeMax Workplace also offers a set of unique tools that
will help drive down overall procurement costs for the
University. Using the latest technology available, OfficeMax
Workplace can create specific, detailed reports that provide
actionable information. These OfficeMax Workplace Customer
Insight ReportsSM allow CSU to do the following:
> View procurement activity to see who’s ordering
what, when and how
> See benchmark comparisons with organizations
that have similar ordering patterns
> Monitor purchasing compliance to help control costs
> Identify and minimize costly off-contract purchases
> Up to five $1000 scholarships for CSU students per year
> Consider alternative products to save money
when the affinity program rebates reach certain levels.
> Exploring ways to support Colorado State’s “green” initiatives
with reduced waste and increased use of environmentally
preferable (recycled and reusable) products. Utilizing leadingedge environmental practices including deliveries made in
reusable boxes and recycled general-use office paper.
> Sharing ideas and best practices, with future endeavors
Anticipated Results
By moving from sourcing through multiple vendors down
to just OfficeMax Workplace, the partnership has delivered on
many important fronts:
> Reduced costs—CSU typically saves an average of
14 percent on core items
including speakers from both organizations sharing
training/teaching seminars.
> Enhanced spend visibility—OfficeMax Workplace and
> Easier, more personalized ordering experience. CSU
employees place orders electronically via the University’s
e-Procurement connection through an easy to use self-service
buying approach called a “punch-out catalog.” Along with
these online ordering capabilities, past order histories and
preferences are instantly accessible to CSU employees,
product returns can be processed online and live online
assistance is available when ordering.
As a part of the strategic partnership, OfficeMax WorkplaceSM
is also the official office supply vendor for the CSU Bookstore.
OfficeMax Workplace will provide products and services to
support the bookstore operations in Fort Collins and the Denver
Center. A few of the services offered will include world class
sourcing and supply chain, private-label brand products, signage,
marketing promotions and a customized ordering site that
includes delivery, real-time stock checks and delivery tracking.
CSU meet quarterly to review data and benchmarking for
continuous improvements
> Increased efficiencies and simplified processes—
CSU and OfficeMax Workplace share best practices to help
streamline procurement processes
> Added value to campus and alumni community—
OfficeMax Workplace’s academic support and affinity
programs take the typical vendor/customer relationship
to a new level
“Given the challenging economic times and tight budgets for
higher education institutions, we believe this partnership not
only provides clear benefits to the campus community, but also
demonstrates another way CSU is working to be financially
responsible and a good steward of public funds,” concluded
Amy Parsons, Vice President of Operations at CSU.
To learn more,
visit officemaxworkplace.com
or call 877.969.OMAX (6629).
officemaxworkplace.com | 877.969.OMAX (6629)
OFFICE SUPPLIES
INTERIORS & FURNITURE
PRINT & DOCUMENTS
Produced by OfficeMax® Print & Document Services. © 2013 OMX, Inc. 1329SP_CSU CS
FA C I L I T Y R E S O U R C E S
T E C H N O L O GY