Why change makes print production easier...

10 September 2024

Toekomst

The print industry is constantly changing. Just look at the rapid introduction of AI and automation. Print companies are increasingly embracing new technology as it brings cost-efficiency and productivity benefits. But how do you know when it's time for a change and to invest more in AI and automation?

Automation is always cheaper

Increasingly, certain challenges within print companies lead to structural changes. Think of switching to a different printing technology, the shortage of skilled graphic workers, or the extremely high administrative overhead costs. Change can be disruptive and create uncertainty. But analyse how much your current way of working costs, and don’t forget to include labour costs in this calculation. Consider your options with a smaller budget. You will find that automation is always cheaper than the scenario you were in before.

Continuing with outdated software is worse than implementing change

Change is difficult and requires courage! However, we notice that many business leaders still operate by the principle “if it ain't broken, don’t fix it,” but nothing could be further from the truth: if you continue working with outdated software as the backbone of your business, things can go wrong. No updates, no customer support, and no tools that keep up with the times, invite problems! Think of software that is no longer updated to meet the latest security standards and technological developments.

In other words, embrace change and turn it into a competitive advantage. Choose ERP/MIS software that continues to develop and understands what is happening in the printing industry. If you ensure that your employees can work with the new software, your sign or print business will continue to perform at its best and grow, even in tough times.

A print business based on isolated solutions creates more inefficiency than change ever will

Automation aims to work more efficiently, freeing up time for tasks that add value for the customer. Often, print companies use multiple software solutions to perform different tasks, but this does not lead to efficient work. It also leads to communication problems between different departments. This becomes cumbersome, leading to errors and time loss. Consider the fact that these different software packages may not all have the same data. If they are up-to-date at all...

Striving for change and opting for integration is essential if you want to achieve efficiency improvements. Bringing everything together in an organised manner can only be done quickly and efficiently with an integrated software package. An all-in-one package that combines order management, inventory management, and financial management enhances collaboration and streamlines operational processes. MultiPress integrated all these modules and ensured that the different processes are linked. This makes the MultiPress Dashboard more organised. The more uniform a system, the more efficient your workflow.

Is the administrative cost of an order really 40%?

To reduce the pressure on your margins, it is important to consider administrative costs. The administrative cost of a product order in a European print company quickly amounts to 40% of the total cost of that order. But how do you, as a print company, deal with that? It becomes challenging to offer competitive rates with 40% administrative costs and still maintain decent profits. These costs also cause business processes to run smoothly, leading to delays or errors. This can result in longer delivery times and dissatisfied customers. This makes it harder to maintain your competitive position. Let that be a signal that it's time for change!

Dataline developed the MAS analysis tool to gain insight into possible savings and improvements within your print company. A sharp business photo is taken, comparing the situation of your print company with data from over 20 years of expertise in the graphic sector. More specifically, answers are provided on:

  • Which investments offer the most return for your print company.
  • How long you can postpone certain investments.
  • In which processes you currently make profits and where your hidden costs are.
  • How many FTEs you need to maximise your efficiency.

This way, you get an overview of where exactly you can achieve efficiency gains. In most graphic companies without specialised software, administrative costs can be reduced by at least half. Avoid that overload of costs and reduce your administration with MultiPress!

Don’t let your print business stand still, but pursue change!