Printing Outlook 2021: Cut Costs & Errors with Workflow Automation

The global economy has shrunk because of COVID-19. Printers are asking - does it make sense to invest in automated software in a shrunk economy? The modus operandi of print businesses is changing too - they are looking to cut where they can and optimize to get lean and survive.

In addition, order fulfilment and delivery with minimum errors and reruns have become a priority for printers especially post-endemic. Add to this, the work-culture transition of remote working and online ordering has made room for intuitive software to help printers reevaluate their business needs in a new light.

A NAPCO Research indicates that more than eight in 10 of highly automated respondents (88%) and those with a medium level of automation (81%) somewhat agreed or strongly agreed that workflow automation reduces errors and reruns because it minimizes touchpoints.

• Highly automated printers (41%) agree that automation cuts down the redundancy of tasks. It helps them to cut out the monotonous, manual tasks, thus, reducing the chances of human errors.
• New-age automation tools allow the production staff to preset requirements for similar jobs. That lets them spend more time catering to the needs of the customers and less on repetitive activities.
• Moreover, automated workflows break the cycle of slow and repeated print processes and help printers to shift from one project to another money-making project; easily and faster.

“Automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency… Automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.”

– Bill Gates

It allows them to maximize efficiency and address business challenges -

• How to deliver fast?
• How to minimize errors?
• How to shorten run lengths?
• How to cut down prices?
• How to make the most profits from small jobs?

Effective workflows help companies stay consistent and compliant, track everything while minimizing risk. It hides complexity from users and improves the responsiveness of a business to customer requests with better data, accuracy, productivity and accountability, leading to better budget optimization.