By Liz Gilmour Solutions Sales Consultant, Graphic Communications Group, Ricoh Europe
Ricoh Europe, London, August 09, 2024 – How streamlined are your common job processes? Are they optimised? For many Print Service Providers (PSPs) we spoke to at drupa this was an important topic.
From the detailed discussions that we held it was clear they were keen to hear about the benefits that can be gained from implementing the right software for their specific needs.
The main points of discussion revolved around the following four critical areas:
- Freeing up resources PSPs are dealing with reduced staffing levels, making it essential to minimise manual touchpoints. The shortage of specialised resources, particularly in pre-press and colour management, exacerbates this issue. Solutions that automate tasks and streamline processes are in high demand to enable efficient operation with limited personnel.
- Increasing throughput To boost revenue, PSPs aim to handle more jobs without compromising quality. Increasing throughput involves adopting technologies and workflows that enhance productivity and enable faster job processing.
- Reducing turnaround times In today’s fast paced market, clients expect quick response, fast deliveries. Reducing turnaround times is critical for PSPs to meet these expectations and maintain client satisfaction. Streamlined workflows and automated processes are key to achieving quicker job completion.
- Increasing margins For financial stability PSPs are seeking ways to increase revenue while also improving margins. This involves not just handling more jobs but doing so efficiently and cost effectively. Optimising workflows and reducing waste are crucial strategies for increasing profitability.
Achieving these can help PSPs deliver sustainable growth and stay competitive in a demanding market.
Due to the varied production capabilities and product mixes among PSPs, a one size fits all approach is not feasible. Therefore, they were keen to explore customised workflow solutions that could be tailored to, and could best suit, their operations, and their unique needs. They were also particularly interested in solutions that were vendor agnostic and could be purchased as standalone options.
The flexibility to adapt workflows to their specific needs allows PSPs to tackle existing challenges effectively and seize new opportunities. For instance, handling jobs requiring colour management expertise and data-driven tasks becomes less resource intensive with the right workflow solutions.
They were also excited about the potential to eliminate manual touchpoints while maintaining control over their processes.
Effective workflows are essential for maximising the benefits of new hardware investments too. Getting it right can address bottlenecks in pre-production that can hinder throughput, extend turnaround times, and reduce margins.
Ricoh offers a range of workflow options that can be tailored to meet diverse requirements. Through professional services, Ricoh collaborates with clients to streamline critical processes, from job submission and pre-press to production. By providing flexible and adaptable workflow solutions, Ricoh helps PSPs enhance their efficiency, productivity, and profitability.
Our approach to offering customisable and vendor agnostic solutions means we are a responsive partner for PSPs looking to optimise operations and capitalise on new opportunities. What can we help you achieve?
