VDP: Web-to-Print In the Real World

Writing on the Print Planet VDP forum, Ric Withers, co-owner of Wythken Printing, summarized the issue well: “The cost of purchasing, implementing and maintaining complex IT systems is beyond the reach of the vast majority of printing companies. Even if you can purchase the front-end Web components from a vendor, they’ll still require some customization (i.e., programmer’s time). The in-shop workflow automation piece will likely have to be completely customized (across multiple vendors, with likely new hardware and even more programmer’s time). And to be credible in the marketplace, you have to guarantee nearly 100 percent uptime, which means an investment in internal IT talent.”