INKISH.NEWS -

And no, this article is not about exploring the breakfast served but about the very interesting panel debate on Thursday, October 20th. The ever-recurring topic is automation, and the format is a short background/introduction by Nathan Safran from Napco Research.

From the left: Jonathan Malone-McGrew, Ernie Crawford & Nathan Safran

According to Safran, service providers turn to vendors for guidance regarding improving their workflow. Automation using software is an essential part of the improvement. Jonathan Malone-McGrew sits in the panel and 'dares' to share an idea of how profitable workflow/automation software is.

PDFs are not equal; Malone-McGrew explains that the number of PDF writers serves different purposes and greatly influences the workflow. Solimar, which hosts the breakfast presented at PRINTING United in Dallas, 2019, their PDF writer, ReadyPDF.

His version of optimization is optimizing what fits the company. It needs to be structural and aligned with clear objectives.

Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee, who moderates the panel debate, ask the audience if they review their workflow every six months. No one responds positively to the question. Safran supports that printers review their workflow frequently!

And Pat McGrew continues with a great point - If no one has reviewed their workflow after the pandemic, they most easily understand that the world isn't the same and therefore need to adapt to the world we operate in.

The panel discusses a great experience from a printing company where the workflow depends on one person - which of course, makes the company extremely fragile - with the right strategy, a company can ensure a more sustainable business as processes are identified and aligned!

The discussion continues, and we check out from the breakfast as we have a busy day ahead. The workflow/automation discussion will, for SURE, continue!