According to a June 8 press release from Xerox, in-plant print providers see their biggest challenge as being viewed as a "must-have" function within their companies. Xerox bases the claim on a survey it offered to members of the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association (IPMA). Other issues facing the group, says Xerox, include establishing new services, facing declining print budgets, and meeting demand without sacrificing quality. Respondents also were asked to say what applications present opportunities to generate new print volume. The majority reported: • The best opportunities for generating new print volume are with direct mail, photo specialty products, transactional promotional materials, and book publishing. • There is increased demand for applications such as full-color and black-and-white variable-data printing, Web-to-print, and wide-format printing. • Digital print allows expansion into new areas and improves the speed and productivity of in-plants. • Driving business from internal departments, establishing new services, and proving strategic relevancy to their companies are critically important to the survival of in-plants.
Commentary & Analysis
In-Plants Must Prove "Strategic Relevancy": Xerox
According to a June 8 press release from Xerox,
About Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry is a journalist and an educator who has covered the graphic communications industry since 1984. The author of many hundreds of articles on business trends and technological developments in graphic communications, he has been published in most of the leading trade media in the field. He also has taught graphic communications as an adjunct lecturer for New York University and New York City College of Technology. The holder of numerous awards for industry service and education, Henry is currently the managing director of Liberty or Death Communications, a content consultancy.
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Discussion
By Jason Pinto on Jun 10, 2009
Patrick, Thanks very much for posting this information. I had the privilege of attending the IPMA conference this week, which included a trip to Xerox. A couple of the points they mentioned on how an in-plant printer might be able to prove themselves as strategically relevant were: - Benchmark yourself against external service providers - Become an intellectual leader in your organization (in regards to marketing) - Have and demonstrate an intense focus on ROI - Get closer to the internal customers. Ask questions to find out their current marketing challenges. It was quite an informative session... Jason Pinto http://JasonPinto.WordPress.com
By Rick Tuter on Jun 10, 2009
Xerox is receiving cooperation from in-plants to drive more justification for their Facilities Management entity through the use of "surveys" such as this. We have Xerox trying to sell our company more equipment and their expensive maintenance contracts while at the same time they are bidding to take one of our larger customers by a Facility Management deal. Wake up, people!