W2P's adolescence has been a rough one, with printers learning some expensive lessons. But, it has also been an exciting time for printers that offer W2P capabilities. Some have tossed away off-the-shelf software packages in favor of crafting their own solutions to meet the needs of particular customers.
When IWCO Direct acquired the U.S. operations of Transcontinental Direct last year, it sought a single, integrated system to provide standardized workflows, improved efficiencies and increased profitability. A review of available options lead to EFI Monarch.
While run lengths decrease and the overall number of label jobs is growing, Jack Willemsz, founder of label printer W&R Etiketten (Tilburg, The Netherlands), has seen pressure building on the high end of the market. To increase his company’s flexibility and competitiveness, he implemented a management information system (MIS) and recently invested in the company's first digital label press, the Xeikon 3300. W&R’s current fleet of equipment, software and services enables Willemsz to run a sleek, JDF automated operation.
The challenge for Willemsz was to adapt and develop the company for the future, manage the growing flow of short-run orders
It was refreshing to see so many printers investing their own money and time at the 12th annual EFI Connect users’ conference in the quest to optimize their workflows and maximize their MIS software and digital hardware investments.
I am writing from Heidelberg, Germany, where I have started a four-month internship at Heidelberger Druckmaschinen. Heidelberg has never before had a student from the United States intern at its world headquarters and, coincidentally, I have never been to Europe.
Management information systems (MIS) are the keystone of a successful printing operation. Senior management relies on these programs to evaluate overall company performance while production employees use the systems to communicate job data from virtually all departments, as well as to customers.
In this webinar, service providers will share:
* Critical requirements for successful implementation of MIS solutions
* How to enable unprecedented process automation - not only for internal manufacturing, but for external efforts (including Web-to-print) using JDF connectivity
* The benefits of MIS implementation: single entry, centralized data management, consistency, reduction in the number of errors, and transparent planning
* Recommendations for peers based on their own implementation experiences
Sponsored by Xerox
To view this webinar click here!:
Marketing executives are always actively searching for solutions to help them gain increased customer knowledge, help improve direct marketing results, and quantify those results. Print service providers can fulfill these needs by adding multi-channel communications to new or existing variable data applications.
With multi-channel offerings, print service providers have new opportunities for value added services, while driving increased volume to digital presses at the same time. In addition, print service providers who begin delivering multi-channel solutions benefit from several new revenue streams.
This webinar will focus on how both commercial printers and in-plants have successfully implemented multi-channel communications and the value for both their customers and their organizations.
Sponsored by: HP
To view this webinar, click here!
When purchasing a business management system, most companies, large and small, overlook the significance of the data collection component. Shop floor data collection provides essential feedback to the entire system and company. It is the catalyst to sharper estimates, smoother scheduling, quicker customer response, just-in-time inventory, increased productivity, and improved profitability. Nevertheless, owners often cut costs when purchasing these systems.
A company does not have to spend thousands of dollars on shop floor data collection. Many manual and electronic data collection methods exist, with costs ranging from virtually nothing up to $10,000 per data collection station.
For business-to-business (B2B) applications, the W2P trend was towards increased integration with print procurement entities or departments, enabling printers to better fulfill orders for branded, templated collateral and other printed materials. On the business-to-consumer (B2C) side, the ability to edit files online, using an online WYSIWYG environment, remained paramount. Online management of variable data printing (VDP) was a consistent theme, as was the ability to create VDP jobs in desktop applications.
Many providers are increasing their scope of offerings, either through internal development or via strategic integration partnerships or outright mergers.
The common thread I see among printers I’ve talked with that have continued to see growth and success in the industry—even through tough economic times—is smart investment and application of software in their businesses. Printers need to proactively make an effort to get a handle on understanding software technology and the impact it can make
