How Important are Software and Automation to In-plants?
Software has brought major efficiency gains to in-plants, automating manual processes, improving productivity and increasing customer satisfaction. It gives in-plants crucial data to help them run their operations better.
To learn more about how software has improved the in-plant industry, and what challenges in-plants face in the implementation process, In-plant Graphics conducted a detailed online survey of in-plants. Based on this data, we created a new research report, "Software and Automation Trends in the In-plant Industry." Download the full report here.
The top three types of software in-plants are using are graphic design, imposition/preflighting and variable data software. However when it comes to future software acquisition plans, Web-to-print software is the clear leader.
Of those in-plants that have installed Web-to-print software, 90% say that “Efficiency in Job Ordering” is the No. 1 benefit this software has provided them. Yet despite the significant workflow and customer service benefits W2P promises, only about half (52%) of in-plants that own W2P software said it is “Fully operational and meets our expectations.”
Our new report explores the implementation issues software users are facing and the key features that are driving interest. We also examine the levels of automation inside in-plants and their top workflow initiatives for 2018.
Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.
