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In an increasingly multi-channel world, the
pressure is on to transition from existing prac-
tices and perspectives to newer ones that make it
easy to get, track, manage, produce, and deliver
work with greater productivity.
Most print providers do a good job of taking care of business on a day-
to-day basis. However, the difficulties of managing customer
requirements, meeting shrinking print windows, and adapting to change
leave little time to transform processes or capture new opportunities. Yet,
this is exactly what print providers must do to ensure long-term success.
The costs of inefficiencies in high operating expenses, lost opportunities,
customer defection, and diminishing returns are real. At the same time,
the rewards of replacing inefficient processes and equipment with
productive ones can be exponential.
This white paper explores the challenges print providers face and the
critical role that productivity plays in sustaining growth and generating a
competitive edge. It covers the elements of a productive print operation,
keys to productivity, strategies for improvement and advances in digital
printing technology that can position your print operation to run at
peak performance.
Staking a claim in an intensely competitive market is rife with chal-
lenges. Beyond the print professional’s triple threat—keeping the
competition at bay, growing volumes, and delivering more value—
commercial printers, quick print/copy shops, and in-plants share a
common list of challenges:
• Competition for printed pages as alternative media supple-
ment and in some cases capture traditional ink-and-paper
based applications
• Demand for faster turnaround time
• Requests for more jobs with shorter run lengths—driving the
transition from offset to digital
• Job and application convergence
• A requirement for more complex documents with more tabs
and inserts
• Increasing emphasis on Variable Digital Printing (VDP),
Print On Demand (POD) quality, and sophisticated
finishing
• Pressure on margins and budgets as costs rise and competi-
tion intensifies
• The need to hire, train, and retain a skilled workforce
• Need to grow volumes by providing a rich portfolio of value-
added services
• Productivity and efficiency deficits—printers must accelerate
productivity to survive
• Constant pressure to generate new business and improve
customer service
Beyond the Triple Threat:
Challenges Facing Modern
Print Operations
