How Canon Connects Workflow Automation with Customer Success
Workflow automation refers to “the use of software to complete some tasks and activities, without the need for human input.” Put simply, workflow automation makes work faster, easier, and more consistent. It allows print service providers to create efficiencies and streamline operations by reducing the need for manual work and repetitive tasks. The end results can include reduced costs, improved margins, and a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace.
Common challenges
Keypoint Intelligence recently released “The Workflow Conundrum,” a report based on a recent printing industry software investment survey. When print service providers were asked about their top software challenges, managing workflow automation came in well ahead of issues related to web-to-print, online storefronts, and implementing print management information systems (MIS).
In fact, in their report, Keypoint Intelligence highlights these four items as the biggest workflow issues:
- Not all steps are automated: High levels of automation tend to happen in print shops that focus on a limited set of applications and/or choices (e.g., labels and packaging or online promotional items). Complete automation is much more difficult for commercial printers and in-plants that typically handle a wide range of job types.
- High number of jobs: As run lengths drop and job submissions through online sources increase, the number of jobs a typical print service provider receives increases. It is unrealistic to think all these jobs can be effectively managed with existing manual workflows.
- Errors and waste: Poorly handled client communication can lead to unhappy customers and the need to rerun jobs, which hampers profitability. Effective customer approval workflow solutions can reduce this.
- Inventory and supply management: The pandemic has exacerbated supply chain issues, making it even more important to have correct, up-to-date information on the level of consumables (e.g., plates, ink, toner), substrates, envelopes, and other necessities.
Print service providers understand that integrating and automating the diverse printing equipment on their floor is critical to the accurate and timely production of the various projects that flow through their shop. But even those who have automated their workflow processes can have difficulty achieving their automation goals for a variety of reasons. An important one is the inability to effectively use the software tools they already own.
Specific solutions
Fortunately, Canon Solutions America’s print production customers have access to its industry-leading professional services, including the Software Development Group. Designed to help customers streamline their print operations with Canon PRISMA workflow software, they work in collaboration with Canon Solutions America field analysts to develop integrated, automated solutions that help create competitive advantages.
According to Alva Bullard, software development manager, “The true value-add of the group’s services starts with the people on the team. Our developers have targeted IT expertise from direct exposure to the challenges faced by production print shops of all sizes.”
That puts Canon Solutions America in a unique position to create software solutions backed by extensive industry knowledge and experience. Services provided by the Software Development Group fall into four broad categories: integrations, tracking automation, performance monitoring, and workflow behavior customizations.
Under the integrations piece, the group works to integrate established processes and procedures customers already have in place with PRISMAproduction, helping create seamless interactions and improve end-to-end workflow for production processing. For tracking automation, the developers use their knowledge and skill to streamline and/or automate the processes of print applications to achieve higher throughput.
Performance monitoring solutions can automatically collect relevant information from the press—including job status, ink usage, paper consumption—and compile the requisite reports to aid in billing and performance management. Finally, the Software Development Group leverages its exposure to a wide range of production print environments to create truly custom workflow solutions that address a customer’s unique and specific needs.
Canon’s commitment
Canon presses provide measurable power in terms of speed, capabilities, and features, but workflow automation can be critical to minimizing manual intervention and getting maximum ROI on that investment. Helping print service providers achieve those goals for the life of the press is a key element of Canon Solutions America’s commitment to customer success.
