Pittsburgh, PA - The Automation Solutions Network, an open forum established for users and vendors to discuss their automation issues and experiences with a business solutions-oriented focus (formerly JDF User Group), will hold its next meeting at Communicorp Inc. in Columbus, GA on March 30-31, 2010.

Some highlights of the upcoming event include a tour of Communicorp's facility, a look at the integration from the CSR through the entire production process utilizing offset and digital presses, and a 90-minute discussion led by Dave Zamorski of Associates Graphic Services. Dave will discuss his 2008 CIPPI award-winning workflow system, which looks at minimizing and eliminating many steps in both content delivery and finishing. Other topics to be discussed include automated scheduling and the connection between integration and certification.

In addition, each attendee will receive a free copy of a recent white paper written by Printing Industries of America's Center for Technology and Research on how to select an MIS.

Communicorp Inc. is a premier full-service provider of print and marketing services. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated. The company provides solutions in creative development, commercial printing, digital printing, merchandise, fulfillment, digital photography, giclée prints, digital asset management, and Web-enabled commerce to numerous Fortune 500 companies and others, both in the United States and abroad. The company has embraced automation to increase productivity, quality, and response time. Meeting attendees will learn how Communicorp Inc. achieved improvements based on the continual improvement and implementation of automation.

The Automation Solutions Network meetings allow printers to exchange and share challenges and solutions with their peers and vendor members. This rare opportunity to communicate with vendors in a private setting benefits the entire printing community.

"The Automation Solutions Network enables us to find the tools and vendors that make process automation work on the plant floor," says member Christy Miners, Director of Prepress Technology, Democrat Printing. "It also helps put the information into 'Dollars and Sense' numbers to make it work for the accountants."

The network welcomes a wide range of users and suppliers of automation systems. All interested parties are welcome to join. The next meeting will be held in June at CIPPI award recipient Ampersand Printing's facility in Toronto.