Automating Print Procurement

We will wrap up our overview of web-based tools to coincide with the end of July and move on to some other neat stuff. Please post at will on any subject at any time though. Some more thinking on the power of web-based print management and procurement - nothing too unique and we are all familiar with purchasing goods over the net.

Our feedback indicates these tools make sense because:

A. Provable cost reduction
B. Digital files are uploaded to our FTP site
C. Increased graphic and text compliance as images do not move into our workflow until approved by the site administrator
D. Reduced "maverick" spending. All approved print buys must travel through one pipe.
E. Totally digital transaction from web browser which speeds vital product information to market faster which increases selling velocity
F. Automated "req-to-check" process reducing staff time requirements
G. Increases marketing effectiveness. Tighter management control over the levers which drive sales of high margin products/service to small audiences. On-line digital catalog of popular graphics/photos/text make for a "design/build" opportunity for special customers/markets

The RossOnLine tools make a lot of sense. Both of these solutions drive to today's very competitive, cost-driven business environment. Please visit:
http://www.rossprint.com/default.aspx?id=47
for more information.

E-Commerce Benefits

I'm told by my advisors that technology is great but we need to market the benefits of e-commerce in ways perhaps more easily understood - here goes:

· 25% Less Fulfillment Cost
· 20% Less Printing Costs
· 50% Less Back Orders
· 70% Less Inventory
· Accurate Product Information
· Faster Product Information to Market
· Enhanced Responsiveness to Customer Needs
· Greater Employee Productivity
· Simplified Workflows
· Tightened Document Security
· Print Supply Chain Management
· Supports Internal eProcurement
· Improved Document Management
· Eliminates Information Obsolescence for Multiple Languages
· Marketing Branding Control

The data above certainly isn't true for all users - in this case - Dow Corning. Nonetheless, all attributes cited are typically true when the full e-commerce model is deployed. We have had good luck with on-line demos of each module we offer.

We are also anxious to share some neat examples of print-on-demand (meaning same day shipment). We also are convinced run lengths and cycle times are getting shorter each year.

I Way Overview

Another web-to-print application we offer at Ross is outlined on page 12 of this Xerox manual.

Iway and WebWay are both housed on our servers and while not bullet proof are being used by our customers everyday to speed the proofing, print and team-based on-the-fly collaboration.

We market both services as "RossOnLine" - your Ross rep or CSR can advise you as to which service best fits your needs . . . or . . . perhaps as many have found both tools work as the situation changes.

The Xerox document does certainly point out the many players in this space and how rapidly the concept has taken hold in printing and publishing. While Xerox isn't our digital press vendor they do an excellent job of marketing the power of print-on-demand and variable printing.

Recall the TV spot with the young couple buying an automobile or better stated the young lady showing her husband exactly what model/color/accessories she selected at the dealership and how rapidly the car could arrive.

The Power of Print

http://www.xerox.com/downloads/usa/en/s/solutions_digital_workflow_catalog.pdf

Web-to-Print

From TrendWatch - a major graphic arts consulting firm.

NEW YORK -- July 19, 2005 -- Commercial printing today is being defined by a wide variety of new applications, many of which are Internet-driven. One of the most visible is Web-to-print. Although traditionally used to drive online sales of corporate identity materials and advertising specialties, Web-to-print is now being transformed into a powerful tool for providing personalized and customized marketing, even down to the level of 1:1.

WebWay

One of the most exciting new tools we have deployed recently is "WebWay". WebWay is a web-based tool which houses large digital files needing team-based collaboration, edits/comments, reposts and a digital history or trail for the life of the project.

Project managers can create projects, teams and authorizations. All team members can use a standard internet browser to view, annotate, approve/reject depending on authorization. The project can then remain in your space for reprints or deleted.

In all stages of the collaboration process, WebWay automatically generates email notifications for team members.

For an on site or online demo, please call your Ross rep. or email sales@rossprint.com. More information maybe obtained at:
http://www.artwork-systems.com/products/webway/

Marketing tips

Some great tips for all of us, with permission from our friends Terri and Cindy in Big Sky country.

http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/23132.html

New Blog

Hi Everyone:

You have been invited to contribute to our "CMYK" blog. This is a new communication device for us and we will be very interested in your comments. Before we offer this to all of our customers and prospects, we will be testing various themes and content to gauge how effective this might be in our marketing effort.

As trends unfold, we will be expanding on them in our upcoming "imPrint" email newsletter. Our primary constituent group is the marketing, advertising, and packaging gurus of the Inland Northwest. Posting is easy and if desired even anonymous.

We hope to expose you many new tools and technologies we have here at Ross and also provide some interesting links we have gleaned from the many industry communications we receive. Feedback from you is our oxygen.

Keeping with our informal approach, topics can certainly take on many looks. In other words, there is more to life than work - you will sense this as links will deal with many assorted subjects.

So, it's summer - time for fun and of course business.

Happy Posting!

Alan Ross