By process automation for graphic businesses we mean optimisation by automating repetitive tasks, mainly aimed at graphic and print companies.
Automating graphic design?
That is almost impossible — it is precisely the creative mind that matters in the design phase. What you can do is save the designer time by automating other tasks. That way he or she has more time to design.
Automating order calculation
Every company has to invoice, otherwise you might as well close up shop. Entering an order into an order-calculation package such as MultiPress, Precal, Xgram, Drumis or a similar package takes a few minutes every time. If you can enter orders more easily — semi-automated, for example — that saves a few minutes on every quote or order.
Order-calculation example
Suppose you spend 15 minutes per order on an order calculation: creating the quote, creating the order, planning, calling or emailing the customer, sending it to the imagesetter or digital press, printing the job ticket, and so on. You make 10 orders a day. That means you spend 15 × 10 = 150 minutes a day on this. Converted, that is 12.5 hours a week, 650 hours a year.
Now what if this process takes only 6 minutes? Then it takes just 5 hours a week, 260 hours a year. That is a saving of 7.5 hours a week (practically a day a week) and 49 working days a year.
This is just one small example of what we do.
Delivery
A customer delivers a file via email, FTP, Dropbox or WeTransfer. Now what if this file:
is automatically downloaded and/or unpacked;
asks, via a notification on an order manager's desktop, whether he or she would enter the matching order number (or product code, whatever you prefer);
automatically pulls the matching data from your calculation package, database, CSV or Excel file;
is checked fully automatically and repaired where needed;
informs the order manager or PDF checker;
and then notifies the customer of the status.
How much time or how many misprints will this save?
Consider the following:
What does a misprint cost?
What does failing to deliver an order on time cost?
What does frustrated staff cost?
Is it fun to repeat the same actions over and over?
Why have you not asked us a question yet?
Process automation for graphic businesses
Process automation for graphic businesses is never the same for every company. In our experience, everyone works differently and nothing is 100% standard.
For more than 25 years we have been active in the graphic market, and never once have we been able to roll out a solution one-to-one.
Invite us for a no-obligation conversation. We are certain that everyone can save, whether in time, money or waste. We also see companies where staff would like to get home on time, or who want to produce more in less time — often with the same staff. We advise, guide and set up a custom workflow for you.
Give us a call and ask for Germen Kroon or Jeordy Bouck. They will help you on your way.
