Learn How to Achieve Digital Efficiency and Effectiveness to Remain Competitive (Free Webinar Still Available On-Demand)

PHILADELPHIA—December 12, 2014—To effectively compete in the digital revolution requires service providers to demonstrate operational excellence, as well as offer the right services portfolio. In the "Digital Efficiency; Digital Effectiveness" Webinar recently presented by Printing Impressions and In-plant Graphics, and sponsored by Canon Solutions America, InfoTrends' Barb Pellow and Brian Dicker, president of Strahm Automation & Mailing Services in Kansas City, MO, discussed ways to achieve digital effectiveness, along with techniques for reaching end users and streamlining operations.

According to Pellow, some of the key trends InfoTrends is seeing in the digital marketplace include promotional variable data printing (VDP) as part of cross-media campaigns. VDP is also blurring with Web-to-print (remote composition) and cross-media marketing (multi-channel output and campaign management). "While VDP print volumes are still growing, VDP software sales are becoming mature and changing into a replacement (upgrade) market," said Pellow.

Other customized communications trends Pellow noted include high growth in transactional VDP solutions, freeing up business users, and rationalizing platforms and cloud deployment. "The most successful firms are making continuous investments in the right technologies in both equipment and software, and retooling their business processes, sales and marketing," she noted.

Dicker explained how Strahm retooled its business operations. Today, the 85-employee transactional document and direct mail printing firm offers imaging, lettershop, bindery and MLOCR presort services. Primary markets include the public sector, financial services and healthcare.

"Strahm produces over 2,500 jobs a day," he pointed out. "Inkjet has enabled us to go to a clean sheet with near offset quality and affordable full-color, with application appropriate color."

A long-time Canon Solutions America customer, Strahm migrated from cut-sheet to continuous-feed production seven years ago, first with an Océ 9000 and then an Océ 10000 press. Today, the company operates a high-speed Océ ColorStream 3500 inkjet press, which it installed just a few months ago. According to Dicker, the press has been ideal for handling its transactional and direct mail requirements.

The more than 300 Webinar registrants reported positive feedback. Here are just a few of the comments:

"All the information on inkjet, target markets and CAGRs was informative."

"It was helpful to learn how others are integrating the various MIS and W2P systems."

"Hearing perspectives on soft and hard cost and the positives and negatives of inkjet was beneficial."

Click here to register and watch the Webinar on-demand now.