There is widespread agreement that automating your inkjet production workflow has numerous benefits. Automation reduces errors and lets you do more with fewer resources. It supports increased throughput, allows you to make better use of your equipment, and gives you the tools and foundation to take on more work.  All of this impacts your bottom line and can lead to increased profits, so automating your workflow appears to be a no-brainer.

However, no service provider starts out with a clean slate. You undoubtedly have equipment, systems, software, and processes that have evolved over time. If you’re purchasing a new inkjet press, you will want to consider implementing an inkjet-centric workflow. At the same time, it’s not expedient or efficient to have multiple workflow solutions for different equipment. It’s highly unlikely that you can eliminate or phase out anything that is still working; particularly if it represents a significant financial investment.

Automated production doesn’t exist in a vacuum, so creating a successful, connected workflow requires these various pieces be integrated. It is just as important to factor in the realities of your resources and your customers. So, how can you best approach this integration puzzle?

Assessing and auditing what exists within your current operation is an important first step. Since you have already purchased hardware and software, knowing what serves you well today and what capabilities you don’t have will ensure you know exactly what is missing; whether it is specific features and functions, or connectivity and integration for information management and automation. So, what works and what doesn’t?

In parallel, understanding what your goals are, both business and production, is critical to developing a workflow strategy. Being able to understand what gaps exist in your current infrastructure as well as what you want to acquire and why, will help ensure you invest in exactly what you need. Are you looking for faster throughput to support more business through integration and optimization of existing systems? Expansion of production capabilities with technology like inkjet? Offering new services that require both new skills and technology?

While one of the most basic aspects of an automated inkjet workflow is integration, this needs to be factored within the broader environment of the people and processes you already have. What sort of skills does your staff already have? Does this align with the strategy determined above and allow you to complete these goals internally? If not, what is the feasibility of expanding those skills, either through hiring or education? What are your customers’ expectations for quality, control, turnaround time, security, and more?

Lastly, sustainability of the environment is key. Even if you rely on external resources to support your workflow, your staff needs to be able to manage and maintain it on a day to day basis. It should support the inevitable changes your business will face, including new or updated equipment, new customers, and modified processes without the need to start from scratch.

It’s likely that you will need to involve an outside resource or multiple resources and will probably have to coordinate and work with other vendors. Cooperative relationships and partnerships go a long way toward facilitating the collaborative effort that is required when building an automated workflow. The business and technical relationships that Canon maintains with leading industry vendors is critical in taking a solutions-oriented approach to inkjet production workflows. And the thINK community helps to promote these relationships – so take advantage of the partnerships supported by Canon and by thINK.

Stephanie Pieruccini is a Product Marketing Manager at Crawford Technologies. She brings with her an extensive background and experience in developing and implementing multi-faceted business and workflow strategies. She is seen as a trusted industry expert; leading exploration of new business opportunities based on primary research, market insight, and networking.