To stay in business, it's crucial for your in-plant to keep costs low, but also to add new services to stay relevant. Many in-plants are finding that workflow automation software is the key to driving down their costs, freeing up staff for more important tasks and facilitating significant increases in business.
In the Hall of Fame of great conferences (if there were such a thing) it would be tough to beat last month's In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA) conference. The location, on the outskirts of San Francisco, was excellent; the weather was sunny and pleasant throughout; the lineup of speakers and topics was among the best ever, with a nearly overwhelming amount of useful, timely information presented; and the evening boat cruise on the San Francisco Bay provided that combination of stunning views and friendly fraternization often sought but rarely achieved.
Xerox recently honored several of its partners with its annual Business Innovation Partner of the Year awards. The awards acknowledge leading partners that help the company and its customers capture new opportunities and achieve business success.
To help in-plant managers share information and learn from one another, Rochester Software Associates has started an informal chat session called "In-Plant Print Leader Chat." This bi-monthly 45-minute call is led by a different in-plant leader each session, and is designed to be a quick way to share information with other in-plants in an intimate setting.
Chelle Palmer was going about her day at the Richland School District Print Shop, in Richland, Wash., last month when the phone rang. It was local TV station KNDO. They wanted to send over a TV crew to do a story about her in-plant—in 15 minutes.
In-plants that have not invested in VDP should consider the value-added service opportunities that it has to offer. Integrating variable data services within existing production operations allows in-plants to offer faster turnaround times and reduce the costs associated with outsourcing jobs that require personalization. Having a VDP solution will allow them to stay relevant and serve the printing needs of multiple departments within their organization.
It was hard for in-plant managers not to feel special at Graph Expo this year. After years of being included seemingly as an afterthought, in-plants were given the spotlight this time around, with numerous sessions focusing specifically on in-plant issues and a new networking hub called "The InPlant Place" where they could gather and mingle. Some vendors set aside special areas devoted to solutions for in-plants, and one (Rochester Software Associates) offered daily in-plant networking receptions.
On Tuesday, IPG Editor Bob Neubauer spoke at an in-plant open house event held at Konica Minolta Business Solutions' facility in Pittsburgh, Pa. In-plants from around the region attended the event, which featured several seminars plus an opportunity to see demos of equipment from Konica Minolta and its partners.
Graph Expo wrapped up its four-day domination of Chicago's McCormick Place on Wednesday, leaving memories of a surprisingly busy show floor. The crowds were augmented by hundreds of in-plant managers, scouting out equipment and attending the numerous in-plant-focused sessions. IPG Editor Bob Neubauer chatted with dozens of managers on the show floor, at the sessions and in the "InPlant Place" area, hosted by the In-Plant Printing & Mailing Association.
Graph Expo starts on Sunday, and in-plants are expected to play a major part in the graphic arts trade show. As we've noted several times in recent weeks, the Chicago show will be packed with seminars exclusively for in-plants, along with receptions and networking opportunities. In-plant managers from all over the country are expected to be at the four-day event.
