As economy slowly awakes, following enforced lockdowns as a result of Covid-19, businesses in all sectors are evaluating how they will move forward. The way customers find and want to deal with companies have changed and decision makers know that their operation models must follow suit.
For the printing industry, three trends have become very clear: (1) the importance of digital presence, (2) the advantage of accessing information remotely and (3) the need to reduce operational costs. That’s why it’s not surprising to see printers of all sizes exploring and investing in Web-To-Print as a solution for their future.
The importance of digital presence
According to research commissioned by Visa, 89% of Britons used online shopping between April and June this year, 31% for the first time. On top of that, 34% of respondents say they prefer to shopping at physical retailers. In short, consumers are online and, in order to thrive in the ‘new normal’, businesses must be too.
With Web-To-Print, printers can make their offering available to this large (and growing) audience. They can take orders online, via customised websites and portals, regardless of the time of day which means they make money even when their staff are fast asleep.
“From conversations I had with customers, during lockdown, it became clear that they now see the importance of having a strong online presence. Most contacted us for guidance to create or improve their online storefronts. They want to meet this consumer demand by offering a great digital experience which is possible with Web-ToPrint.” said Greg Young, Customer Success Director at Infigo Software.
The advantage of accessing information remotely
When the majority of the population were locked in, many business owners found themselves being locked out, meaning those who operated uniquely from their physical location could no longer carry out day-to-day activities. This could turn out to be catastrophic. Cloud-based digital infrastructure ensures all information is easily accessible from anywhere in the world, offering the possibility for business continuity even during emergencies like lockdown.
Web-To-Print software becomes a central location for all information, from inventory to customers orders, and can be managed from the office as well as from home. It also offers a 360 view of the operations, ensuring that the service given to customers is consistent even when staff are working from different locations.
The need to reduce operational costs
As businesses look into ways to reduce their costs, streamlining operations has become imperative. For printers, the most impactful approach is to lower the number of touchpoints for any given job. This can be achieved with automated workflows.
With Web-To-Print, a large number of tasks can be automated, including but not limited to quotations, printing, archiving and shipping notifications. When integrated with an MIS solution, the automation can be extended further to tasks such as proofing and approvals. Besides eliminating unnecessary duplication and potential errors when rekeying data, it also frees up man power. Staff can focus on activities that truly demand their expertise and that will bring more advantages and profit to the company.
Web-To-Print as a solution
During the last few months, companies built on web-based digital infrastructure, with automated workflows, have seen a significant increase in orders, as both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) customers have been forced to shop online in greater numbers. This has been particularly true not only of ecommerce giants such as Amazon but also of print companies that have harnessed the revolutionary potential of Web-To-Print.
Through Web-To-Print, printers are able to meet the operational challenges, and changes in buying behaviour, amplified by Covid-19 and lockdown.
Infigo Software explored this subject further in their white paper titled ‘Are you ready to take advantage of the next printing revolution?’ where they discuss:
How Web-To-Print technology is revolutionising the printing and labelling industry, creating the seamless, personalised experience that customers now expect
Some of the reasons behind Amazon’s huge success and how Web-To-Print can help your business adapt to the ‘new normal’
How Web-To-Print technology could enable business growth in ways may not have even been considered – even with reduced or remote workforce
What to look for in a Web-To-Print software provider to meet exact business requirements.
Douglas Gibson, managing director of Infigo Software, says: “We have seen many of our clients revolutionise their business through Web-To-Print prior to this unprecedented crisis we’ve all been through. However, the events of recent months have really brought home the importance of being able to automate, remotely manage and visualise all aspects of print operations.
“Amazon has revolutionised the retail industry but it’s also set the benchmark for the online shopping experience that we now all expect – buying what we want, when we want, with automatic updates throughout the process. “However, many in the printing industry are yet to realise how easy it is to implement similar processes, with an investment that pays for itself within a matter of months. This is why we’re passionate about spreading the message about how Web-To-Print can revolutionise your business during these difficult times and beyond. “It’s perhaps a cliché but with the automation of specific types of printing jobs, you really can make money while you sleep.”
The White Paper is available for download from their website – please click here
