Success for print businesses depends on optimizing operations that enhance efficiencies, reduce costs, and reliably deliver the immediate responses most clients crave.
Optimization has always been a driver for success, of course. What’s different today is the hyper speed of doing business and demand for 24/7 service, compounded by the challenges of scarce skilled workers, inflation, tight margins, and other economic uncertainties. In this complex business environment, technologies that automate and digitize business processes form the heart of an optimized business. Most shops will have to keep the following items top of mind.
Workflow Integration
Automating and integrating workflows is critical. These steps reduce manual tasks and generate reams of data to help owners make informed strategic decisions for all aspects of their operations.
Workflow options manage the entire print process from order intake to delivery. They connect printers to customers while CRM systems manage client relationships and track customer experiences.
These systems can work independently, but true optimization can only be achieved when they’re fully integrated into one seamless workflow. Increasingly, these systems will all feature AI capabilities.
Printing Presses
While many presses have their place on any shop floor, inkjet is the fastest growing technology. Its no-impact imaging means it can print on just about anything for incredible versatility.
Inkjet has made significant inroads in label printing, packaging, and production printing where it’s close to rivaling the productivity and quality of traditional presses. For example, many press manufacturers now offer B2 format inkjet presses perfect for short run jobs.
Industrial inkjet is also opening new markets for decorative printing on the floor, panels, ceramics, glass, wallpaper and other home décor items, textiles, and many other products.
Robotics
Robots, already used in many print shops for material handling and some quality control tasks, are developing. In the future, robots will collaborate with and work alongside humans, executing more complex processes and collecting data from their sensors.
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) will be able to move material to and from production lines automatically without the need for dedicated aisles. They have sophisticated safety features that prevent collisions with humans and will independently load presses and move printed pieces to the next stop.
Security
Digital security is becoming ever more important. Printers must secure client files, mailing lists, databases, and company information against the growing threat of hacking. Print owners must also protect their companies against legal consequences from data breaches. Cybersecurity is essential for companies of all sizes.
Artificial Intelligence
AI is seemingly everywhere. It’s a little scary, often confusing, complex, and evolving at a quick clip. No company can afford to ignore it.
A key driver of AI proliferation is GPT, or generative pre-trained transformers, of which the widely known ChatGTP is a prime example. This type of AI uses natural language processing and machine learning. Based on recent research from PRINTING United Alliance 1, printers are using AI for content creation, marketing programs, cybersecurity, analytics, customer service, and risk management. Going forward, expect to see many AI features embedded in manufacturers’ software packages, but it's also possible to find independent solutions.
According to PRINTING United Alliance, shop owners can expect AI to automate:
- Robotics that move materials through production and automate complex tasks
- Many production and business management processes
- Key activities, such as market analysis and customer experience evaluations
- Administrative tasks, such as screening resumes, scoring sales leads, evaluating customer feedback, competitive analysis, forecasting, and forecast evaluation
Automating processes and investing in new technology requires resources and ongoing strategic planning to choose the right investments and regular auditing to track how those investments align with company goals. Whether companies choose to do this on their own or hire an independent third party like Gimbel & Associates, keeping abreast of myriad technology options will only become more critical.
- Artificial Intelligence in the Printing Industry: The Journey Begins
https://www.printing.org/library/business-excellence/economics-forecasting/industry-reports#AI