Consumer goods group Procter & Gamble (P&G) has signed a five-year print services contract with Xerox to cut costs by up to 25 per cent and increase operational efficiency and sustainability.

Under the agreement, Xerox will manage P&G print shops, offices and home-based work environments, controlling how and when documents are printed.

Print-related power use is expected to come down by 30 per cent and paper consumption by 20-30 per cent annually as a result of the deal. But as well as cost savings P&G hopes the partnership will help generate "substantial" sustainability, user satisfaction and reliability.

A change management programme expected to free up "hundreds of minutes" of employee time annually is included in the agreement and will be carried out using lean Six Sigma-based methodologies to help P&G's employees manage the new print environment.

A web portal for online learning and procurement of equipment, consumables and support for employees will also be launched as part of the deal.

"Simplifying our global printing structure helps increase reliability and efficiency, transforming the way we work," said Filippo Passerini, chief information officer and president at P&G global business services division.

"This innovative initiative is one step on the journey to 'go digital' and make our workplace more sustainable," he said.