By Marc Raad
I recently had the privilege of being an exhibitor at an exclusive 2024 print-industry event, where I was interviewed by a member of the trade media. This was not unusual. What was unique, however, was that the interviewer revealed that she overheard an attending printer say “thank God you’re here” as he passed by our booth. While I was flattered, this got me thinking about the enormous – and most of the time urgent – struggles that printers face on a daily basis when it comes to workflow automation.
Common Pitfalls in Workflow Automation
Let’s face it: With the best of intentions, many printers invest in workflow software, correctly believing it will help them achieve a seamless integration of all their key processes – from order-taking, billing and final delivery. Then what happens? Well, far too often these systems sit idle on a server doing nothing or remain under-utilized, never yielding its full potential.
So, what goes wrong? In my experience, there are a number of reasons for this. Usually, print-shop owners don’t set aside the time to implement these systems, or they don’t have the expertise of an in-house IT staffer who can integrate disparate and often complex workflow systems with today’s sophisticated presses and finishing equipment. Sometimes, only parts of their software are deployed for various reasons, which in turn negatively affects efficiency and ROI.
Does this scenario sound familiar?
You call your software vendor with an urgent problem, only to wait hours or even days for a reply. You waste time exchanging e-mails, or in online chat boxes with company reps, trying to get immediate solutions. Or you waste even more time wading through pages of a supplied software guide or manual, in a vain attempt to fix the problem yourself. Meanwhile, the software issues continue to cause production slowdowns. All this chaos and lost revenue from a malfunction in workflow software.
Unfortunately, in this digital age, we often overlook the value of personal, face-to-face service—having someone who genuinely cares about your success.
Here’s the thing: it shouldn’t be up to you, the printer to solve workflow software problems; it should be on your workflow software provider. Unfortunately, in this digital age, we often overlook the value of personal, face-to-face service – someone you can actually talk to, who is heavily invested in your success.
At Significans Automation, we get it. Every member of our team comes from the print industry. We know how to assess your software assets, configure, integrate and optimize them into the most efficient workflow set-ups. Our experience allows us to suggest the best ways to affordably ‘future-proof’ your business through end-to-end automation.
As a vendor-neutral integration specialist, we’ve seamlessly connected literally hundreds of different workflow software systems with high-end printing equipment because our team, with a combined 100 years of hands-on experience, knows the top workflow software technologies on the market today. We understand their strengths and their weaknesses.
This allows us to mix & match and deploy the best solutions for each individual customer based on their specific production needs. Every print business is unique, and therefore requires customized solutions. We are not – and never will be – a ‘one-size-fits-all’ integrator. Our team can also offer guidance on game-changing technologies such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). In fact, we’ve already utilized AI for automation of prepress checks, layout optimization, faster processing of large volumes of data, and much more.
The ultimate goal is success through independence
Yes, we partner with every one our clients, setting them up for future success. But we don’t “live” in their print shops, nor do we set up systems and walk away. Our goal is to empower your team to become truly independent, able to handle any workflow challenge that comes their way.
We focus on training your staff and developing tailored Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure you can confidently handle any workflow challenges that arise. Think of it as equipping you with the knowledge and tools to manage your operations effectively without needing constant external support.
We understand that mastering complex systems can be daunting. That’s why we guide you through a smooth transition—from relying on others to taking full control over your workflow automation. Our training programs follow a structured path: initial hands-on training, the development of SOPs, and ongoing support. This way, your team gains confidence in managing every aspect of your workflow.
That being said, we’re just a phone call away if difficult issues do arise. In short, Significans Automation is a ‘turbo-switch’ for any printing business, helping to kick-start their journey into full automation with all its proven cost savings and other benefits.
In the print and packaging print industries, downtime of any kind is simply not acceptable. Workflow software issues are always urgent and therefore quick and repeatable solutions are vital. Some may refer to these problems as “glitches.” This euphemistic cliché makes it sound like an issue can be fixed with a single mouse click. It can’t. We regularly provide the fast solutions needed to alleviate the enormous pressures that printers endure when their workflow software systems fail. Plus, we always act with a deep sense of urgency because we know your business and your reputation – as well as ours – are at stake.
We are integration: Our Promise
Our trademark, “We are Integration™” speaks to our enduring commitment to delivering industry-centric professional services. As a trusted integration partner for printers of all sizes, this trademark represents the essence of our identity. It’s not a proclamation of superiority, but rather a reminder of our dedication to being more than a service provider. We are Integration™ reflects a promise of continued support to the collective success of the printing community we proudly serve. The ultimate goals being integration independence and future success.
Thank God YOU are here!
So, in hindsight, while I appreciated the printer’s kind words, I want to flip that sentiment. “Thank you” to our customers for allowing us to be part of your journey toward success through workflow software integration.
For an assessment of your workflow software systems, please call Significans Automation at 1-877-463-4465. You’ll be directed not to a salesperson or a third party, but to one of our regional workflow automation and integration experts who has years of production-floor experience.
