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SOFTWARE & WORKFLOW TECHNOLOGY OUTLOOK—Building Your Automation Universe: A Practical Guide for Printers Ready to Scale Smarter

Automation is no longer optional for printers—it’s foundational. From commercial print to packaging, thriving businesses are building Automation Universes that align people, processes, and technology to reduce friction and drive value. Here is what you need to know about how to design scalable automation ecosystems tailored to your goals, budget, and evolving team. Whether you’re buying big or building lean, the path forward starts with strategy, not just software

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

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(Watch the complementary webinar presented by Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee here.)

The print and print automation landscapes have shifted again. Automation on its own is now table stakes in the competitive print world, no longer the pure competitive advantage it once was. As an essential pillar of success in commercial print, direct mail, transactional communications, book production, and packaging, the demand for faster turnaround times, reduced error rates, and higher margins is the new space race. But how does an in-plant printer or a print service provider build an Automation Universe that aligns with current and future needs, skillsets, and ambitions? The answer lies not just in buying tools or adopting software, but in building a cohesive ecosystem that spans people, process, and technology.


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About Pat McGrew and Ryan McAbee

Pat is a well-known evangelist for inkjet productivity. At McGrew Group, she uses her decades technical and marketing experience to lead the industry toward optimized business processes and production workflows. She has helped companies to define their five-year plans, audited workflow processes, and developed sales team interventions and education programs. Pat is the Co-Author of 8 industry books, editor of A Guide to the Electronic Document Body of Knowledge, and a regular contributor to Inkjet Insight and WhatTheyThink.com. Ryan McAbee is Chief Analyst at Pixel Dot Consulting LLC.

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