 PRINTING AND MAILING

A big job done through effective organisation

Even in advanced countries, where Open Universities operate, and which rely a good deal on the use of electronic media, namely TV and Radio, studies show that the predominant source of learning is still the print medium. NOS has been mainly-relying on the print medium, though it is now actively planning to provide Audio and later, Video support as well.

In the last ten years, print copies of 509 titles totaled about 10,000,000. In 1982-83,150 titles were printed, a total of 4,00,000 copies, using 50 tons of paper. This shot up to 500 titles and 26,00,000 copies, requiring 325 tons of paper in 1988-89. The entire job is got done by a number of presses on assignment basis.

Storage of such a vast quantity of materials, both paper and printed materials would mean renting a very large area and would be quite expensive. The NOS follows the concept of a Dynamic Store than a Static Store. The inflow and out-flow are planned and sequenced, so that, at any time, there is no need for prolonged static storage. Specifically, when the large consignment of paper arrives, it is sent, as required, to the assigned presses directly, and accounted at the press, than at the store, avoiding a lot of storage space and cost. In fact, surely in 1989-90, not a ton of paper was stored in the NOS but all sent directly to the press. Similarly, dispatches are printed and sent sequentially. As the initial dispatches are printed and arrive at the store, they are dispatched to the study centres, so that the store is ready to receive the next batch of dispatches.

NOS has a store space of 6200 sq. feet. If the dynamic store approach were not used, we would require 10 times the storage space.

Colour coding is used, for easy identification of different subjects.

The earlier practice of having 10 or more dispatches in each subject was discontinued last year, by putting two dispatches in one cover, thus reducing cost and facilitating better materials handling for dispatch to the study centres.

Similarly, from 1990-91, the earlier practice of sending the dispatches directly to the individual students was discontinued and the materials were sent in bulk, by

road transport or by rail to the Accredited Institutions or study centres, for distribution to the students. This has also reduced postage expenses considerably, since we do not have to individually pack literally several hundred thousand dispatches.

The dispatches are printed, using ordinary paper, since the scope of its use is limited and for a short period. However, the cover designs and lay out are made as attractive as possible, within the limitations of remaining cost conscious.

All dispatches are of uniform size (20"x30"/8) to facilitate easy storage and packaging.