Based in the Atlanta area, Arista Information Systems is a dynamic example of how inkjet presses can transform a transactional print shop by replacing pre-printed forms with full-color printing on white paper. The firm recently acquired two Xerox Rialto® 900 Inkjet Presses which are expected to cut paper costs by 25 percent, boost operator efficiency by 50 percent, vastly reduce warehousing requirements, and introduce new revenue opportunities with Rialto’s high speed, full color narrow web and roll-to-cut-sheet platform.

Arista’s inkjet transformation was sparked when customers began asking for things the firm couldn’t easily provide. “We realized we needed to pursue full color, and my mission became finding the most affordable way to transition to the right inkjet solution,” said Leesa Wagener, vice president, Business Operations, Arista Information Systems. After a thorough search among multiple vendors, she said, “We chose the Rialto because of its consistently good image quality on plain stock, its streamlined operations and because we feel very strongly about our relationship with Xerox.”

Hitting Growth Targets
The vast majority of Arista’s work is print and electronic transactional documents for utilities, such as water, gas, electric, telephones, pest control and taxes, which historically were produced on Xerox cut-sheet production printers. The firm gives a 24-hour turnaround guarantee, but with Rialto’s streamlined operations, Wagener expects that more jobs can be completed on the day they are ordered. Moreover, she believes the presses will help Arista maintain steady growth, initially by bringing new services to existing customers and in the longer term, by targeting new markets.

Arista also acquired the Rialto’s optional inline Dynamic Perforator to save time over offline alternatives, and Xerox FreeFlow® Core workflow software to save time and money by automating more of their production processes. They also expect to soon add two more Rialtos at their second location in Winston-Salem, N.C., improving their redundancy.

Fostering Strong Customer Relationships
“The Rialtos and FreeFlow Core will not only provide Arista with a strong platform for growth, but they’ll help Arista deliver even better service to their customers,” said Steve Welkley, vice president, Production Inkjet Sales, Xerox. “That’s critical because much of Arista’s business is based upon strong, long-term customer relationships.”

A Xerox project management team will work onsite at Arista to oversee installation of the first two Rialtos in May and June, conduct staff training and ensure a smooth transition of work to the new inkjet platform.

The Xerox Rialto 900 is a fully integrated roll-to-cut-sheet inkjet press with a narrow-web (8.66-inch/220 mm printing width), integrated cutter and high-capacity stacker, and a small footprint. It addresses the under-served market between high-speed production inkjet presses and the most productive toner-based devices.

The Arista team alongside their new Xerox Rialto 900 Inkjet Press. Left to right: Shawn Beane, production systems analyst, Xerox; Bruce Hazard, senior print operator, Arista; Johnny Jordan, senior print operator, Arista; Jarvis White, senior print operator, Arista.