Postpress Automation — Backing into IT

"It (CIM) is a lot easier than people think," Doyle continues. "We're a $17.5 million printing company with 103 employees and we've been able to make it work." The shop primarily produces books, publications and manuals.

Doyle likens the adoption process to the experience of addressing the Y2K bug. "Companies should consider putting a committee together," he advises. "They should start by asking some basic questions: Where can we capture this data? What is the benefit going to be to our company? Can we justify the expense?"