Print09: Technology to Consider

In preparing for the Must See ‘Em awards, the GASC identified ten “core” technologies that printers should be evaluating as part of their operations. Below is the list that can also be found at GraphicsArtsOnline.

Print 09 Core Technologies

1. Information Technology
   Web-to-Print
   Management Information Systems (MIS)
   three way tie for 1st place
2. Digital Printing
3. Workflow
4. Color Management
   Cross-Media Production
   two way tie for 6th place
5. Automated Equipment
6. Customer Resource Management (CRM)
7. Preflighting

Printing by Nerds

As the printing industry has evolved into a computer centric manufacturing business focused on lean manufacturing and production efficiencies, the industry has also had to rely more on the use of technology. To no surprise then, seven of the top 10 categories rely heavily on IT and technical prowess. Printers, in their attempts to diversify beyond printing, are continuing to focus as much effort in technology as traditionally spent researching physical press and bindery equipment.

CRM, MIS, Web-to-Print, and/or prepress workflows often require advance know how in database (SQL, Oracle, etc.) management and web programming languages (CSS, XML, etc). The skill sets usually have to be recruited from outside the traditional labor pool of the printing industry. Finding and retaining this talent can be difficult, since print shop owners are now recruiting against traditional tech-centric companies and industries.

At Print09 vendors will also be focusing on the nerdy aspects of computer integrated print manufacturing by showing the new and improved customer, management, and workflow systems. Instead of focusing on each individual component, however, focus on the cohesion and integration between the Web-to-Print, MIS, and production workflows. Most vendors, having mastered the integration between their own products, will now tout integration in mixed vendor environments. Since industry wide specifications for data exchange (JDF, JMF, EDI, etc.) have matured, the foundation for true interoperability between vendors is coming to fruition. Such integration will be a boon for the majority of print shops since their Web-to-Print, MIS, and production workflows are usually purchased from different vendors. A typical example might include Web-to-Print from a service such as Pageflex, MIS from EFI, and the production workflow from Kodak.

At minimum, the “core” list can act as a starting place for discovering key technologies that can enhance any shops offerings. If you are planning a trip to Print09, grab a map and plot your course to learn what these core technologies could do for your business.