EFI Connects with Users

Some 1,300 people gathered at the Wynn Las Vegas in January for what has become one of the printing industry’s largest and longest-running users’ group events. EFI Connect brought together gamblers and non-gamblers alike to learn more about EFI’s MIS/ERP and Web-to-print software, its wide range of inkjet digital printers, as well as new production automation, workflow efficiency and business-building ideas. The event drew 10 percent more pre-registered customer attendees than the 2015 conference.

EFI CEO Guy Gecht gave a keynote presentation titled “Guy’s Six Guidelines for Becoming a Jedi in the Business of Printing.”

The event included more than 200 technical, sales and business management-oriented sessions—including hands-on labs, interactive customer feedback sessions, user meetings for EFI Productivity Suite and MIS/ERP core platforms, and a business-development track hosted by InfoTrends analysts—coupled with ample networking and information-sharing opportunities among attendees, who represented many leading printing companies plus a few in-plants.

The sold-out conference began with a welcome address by affable EFI CEO Guy Gecht, who has served in that role for the past 16 years. His opening keynote, titled “Guy’s Six Guidelines for Becoming a Jedi in the Business of Printing,” used analogies from the popular “Star Wars” movies franchise to emphasize changing industry, technology and societal dynamics.

“Bet on changes in market forces to accelerate,” he said, adding that continued business success for printing companies will require calculated risk taking, automated workflows and moving forward when opportunity knocks. “Doing nothing is a guarantee that you will be unsuccessful.”

He urged attendees to employe the “judo strategy” when facing stronger forces: be nimble and use your competitor’s strength to overcome them.

Connect’s solutions center featured many top EFI technologies.

“The online force is stronger than the print force,” he noted—so don’t fight it, use it to your advantage.

Advising printers to look beyond paper in search of new product offerings and seek out emerging markets like digital textile printing of soft signage, Gecht also unveiled an online customer applications gallery (www.ImagingofThings.com), which will enable EFI customers to post images and videos of their work in an online forum targeted to print buyers and ad agencies seeking unique application ideas.

A Wynn-Wynn Salutation

Gecht was followed by Steve Wynn, chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts, who delivered a keynote presentation in honor of the conference’s 10th anniversary at the Wynn Las Vegas. He provided a business lesson on his success, which he said ultimately depends on creating a culture where employees gain a sense of pride and enhanced self-esteem through their work.

Wynn described a “storytelling program” that encourages Wynn’s 12,000 employees to recount their stories, during daily pre-shift meetingsAndrew Paparozzi, senior vice president and chief economist of Epicomm, gave a keynote in which he noted that unless your customers are completely satisfied, they may defect to a competitor. They may not tell you about small problems they are having, but these may be what drive them away. Ask them what you are doing that annoys them, so you know what to focus on.

Paparozzi also suggested that printers document their contributions to each customer’s success (e.g., time/money saved, increased response rate) and show them. Don’t assume they get it; leave no doubt about how you’ve helped them, he said.

Productivity Suite Enhancements

Building on the EFI Productivity Suite’s workflow platform announced at Connect last year—which was created to improve users’ productivity and efficiency through certified end-to-end workflows for specific segments—EFI promoted its Enterprise and Midmarket Commercial and Packaging suites. Debuting at Connect this year were three certified suites targeting the quick printing, publication printing and corrugated packaging segments.

EFI CEO Guy Gecht talks with attendees after his keynote.

Connect 2016 also showcased EFI Fiery digital front end and software technologies for cutsheet digital printing, including previews of Fiery Command WorkStation 5.8 and the latest Fiery JobFlow digital print workflow automation software. Available this quarter, JobFlow is designed to deliver more efficient multi-job submission, extended third-party job processing, workflow sharing and enhanced usability.

In addition to highlighting workflow technologies, Connect’s solutions center featured top technologies in the EFI industrial inkjet portfolio, including high-end hybrid LED printers with variable-drop grayscale imaging and white ink. The exhibit floor also featured roll-to-roll LED printing technology from EFI’s recently acquired Matan product line.

Attendees saw a broader range of print application possibilities with the “Imaging of Things” theme by showcasing jobs produced on EFI’s Cretaprint ceramic tile printers, Jetrion narrow-web label printers and on the company’s recently acquired line of Reggiani textile printers.

Connect 2016 also featured exhibits from partner companies such as Canon U.S.A., Xerox, Duplo, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. and Ricoh Production Print.