Editor's Note Mission Critical

What strikes me most about the non-profit in-plants in our cover story is how passionately they each believe in their parent organization's mission. As a result, their work in the in-plant has taken on new meaning—they're not just printing, they are helping their organization achieve its goals. And by doing this, they have become much more critical to the organization.

This reminded me of a session I attended at the recent ACUP conference. Ray Chambers, CIO of Juniata College, told managers that many in-plants are closed down because an outside organization convinces upper management that printing is not the organization's core competency—in other words, that the in-plant does not contribute to the organization's mission.

Ray suggested that in-plants look at their organization's mission statements, then set goals of their own that directly tie into the organization's goals. For example: Publishing the results of research is essential to higher education's mission. The in-plant is reproducing these publications. Therefore, the in-plant is serving the school's mission.

The non-profit in-plants in our story get their organization's messages out to the public, and they print the materials that bring in much-needed financing. They are, therefore, vital contributors to their organization's goals.

How is your in-plant helping your company or organization achieve its goals? Perhaps it's time you let someone know exactly how valuable you are.

In keeping with my mission as editor—to stay abreast of all in-plant news and events—I attended the recent "In-Plant Digital Printing Roadshow," sponsored by Heidelberg and the International Publishing Management Association. The seminar, held at Heidelberg's Cranbury, N.J., facility, drew a handful of managers from the New York and Philadelphia areas.

Heidelberg representatives offered their insights on digital technology, talking about where it's going and how in-plants can implement it. Carol Kraft, the new chief operating officer for IPMA, was also on hand. She listed factors shaping the digital market, and talked about how in-plants can use digital technology to add value.

Providing a real-life example of this, Maury Kane, director of Duplicating Services at Temple University, presented a snapshot of his in-plant's networked and Internet-based printing services, noting that it's essential in today's world for in-plants to have a Web presence.

Providing digital printing is certainly a step in the right direction for your in-plant. But be sure to find a way to link this service back to your organization's mission, so you're seen as a crucial part of the overall operation—not a high-tech, non-critical auxiliary.