The facility will hold about 500 of the HSEs publications on CDs, which will then be printed on its black-and-white IBM 2085 or its IBM colour press. In the next few months Prolog also hopes to install a new colour press, probably a Xerox DocuColor 2060.

The firm had previously provided HSE with document fulfilment and had kept all its printed stock in its warehouse.

The HSE has a large number of publications that are only used for reference, said Prolog senior logistics manager Ian Miskelly. It has a remit from the government to reduce stock holding and become more proactive for the public.

Prolog has been in talks with a number of other government departments, as well as commercial clients, to offer similar services.

We are putting a significant amount of oomph behind this, especially in areas where the government is under pressure. But its not all altruistic for us because it frees up space in our warehouse that we can then resell, said Miskelly.

Story by Rachel Barnes