One of the challenges with selecting a workflow solution for print is that specific tasks and processes that have to be managed and ideally, automated for different segments of the print industry are strikingly different. Jobs flow differently in commercial print shops than they do in high-volume transactional operations, direct mail houses, service bureaus or CRDs/copy shops in enterprise environments. The work is different, the flow is different and that means the workflow solution must be different as well, doesn’t it?

In a graphic arts environment, the workflow conversation usually centers on authoring content, content management, getting images and photographs approved, creating layouts and submitting jobs for print. If you’re in a transaction print environment, the conversation is going to be more about process optimization and automation, integrity, load balancing and qualifying for postal discounts. Of course in today’s transaction environments where full color inkjet is beginning to make the promise of high-end statement messaging bear fruit, there should be more of an intersection between the graphic arts “creative focus” and the transaction “efficiency perspective.”

In the traditional transaction printing environment, automation efficiencies are gained by streamlining the processes following receipt of content – primarily data. The process starts when data arrives and ends when finished documents leave the operation either in print or through e-delivery. Sometimes production may be accomplished in a hard-wired “Automated Document Factory” configuration, a virtually connected configuration of varied print and finishing equipment. Often there is a combination of print and e-delivery. In every case, the goal is to reduce cost and boost end-to-end productivity from job submission through tracking, reprinting, indexing, archiving and customer reporting and billing. A workflow solution to support this environment must work seamlessly with many flavors of high-volume print and finishing devices. What’s more it should enable the highest degree of postal automation and quality control.

Of course the best transaction print environments are about far more than manipulating data. More and more, transaction documents include variable messaging, graphics, pURLs, QR codes and other dynamic content potentially created by marketing agencies or colleagues on the graphic arts side of the business. This means taking the workflow from receipt of data forward is no longer enough. Transaction printers have to start thinking about automating workflows that safely integrate the creative process with the mission-critical production process. More and more often, this includes color management processes and potentially tracking of ink usage.

The ability for transaction printing workflow to extend beyond the realm of data, and integrate up-stream creative workflows into service providers’ solutions will be critical to driving new business for service providers. Maybe it’s time to bring graphic arts workflows and transaction printing workflows together. Can your current workflow solution do that?

Sheri Jammallo is the Corporate Enterprise Segment Marketing Manager for Canon, with a keen focus on marketing strategies across North America in the Transactional, Direct Mail, Data-Center and In-Plant print production space. She brings with her a wealth of industry knowledge that enables her to lead field relevant go-to-market production print strategies and programs for Canon that bring value-add to the production print customer and print industry.

Previous to Canon, Sheri spent many years in several roles at Xerox Corporation. She was a Production Print Solutions Manager in the Northeast responsible for high end production print technology and services portfolio, leading a business development team of Production Print Sales Specialists within the In-Plant and Commercial print space. Prior to that role, she was a Production Print Business Development Executive as the lead business development strategist to grow market share in In-Plants and Data-Centers within the New England region.

Sheri began her career in the Commercial print space at Standard Register. She spent several years with Standard Register in business development and leadership roles, with a strong focus on go-to-market growth strategies of a vast portfolio of commercial print applications to the Financial, Insurance, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Public Sector, Educational and Retail vertical markets.