Saving Money in 2010 – Part One:
MultiChannel Workflow

By Scott Gerschwer, OutputLinks

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart had a funny bit last week: after reviewing the predictions of “trend gurus” for 2010, he showed how they did with predictions from a year ago. Their rate of success was predictable: none. No success. Zero. These “gurus” were thus exposed as charlatans. And yet one can predict they will get network news coverage in 2011.

I’m not in the prognostication business. But there is one trend I think we can all agree on: Businesses will be looking for ways to save money in 2010. So I’m going to dedicate some space here to show various ways an organization can achieve some efficiencies and save some bucks in 2010. Believe it or not, there are still some ways to cut costs without simply sacrificing employees. A case in point: Multi-Channel routing (workflow). 

Workflow continues to be a challenge. Basic workflow—which printing device to send a particular job to, what jobs are ear-marked for electronic delivery—is hard enough. The addition of new delivery channels and other factors only serve to complicate the task. 

For example, print shops report that MOST of the digital files they receive from customers (internal or external) are in some state of disrepair. There may be missing fonts, off-kilter dimensions, etc. In addition, some of the equipment needed may be incompatible, jobs arrive with the regularity of city buses…there are more ways to complicate your workflow than can be outlined in this space.

As a result, many organizations would like to make changes to their current workflow. Instead of printing and delivering paper, they may want to send the print files to printers scattered across their campus, building, or even across the country. In addition, they may want to email some of these files or have them sent to a document management/collaboration system. And since customers increasingly have preferred channels, organizations must be able to email to some, print and deliver to others, send to mobile to others, etc.

Most likely, they would like to have a combination of all these options. The key is to create more efficient workflows without making programming or application changes that run riot on your budget and IT staff.

After accessing my extensive network of print professionals, thinkers, consultants, lobbyists and gurus, I came to a simple conclusion: It’s worth looking at some innovative ways to achieve efficiencies via multi-channel messaging. Workflow is a daunting problem, but solutions are available.

Like you, I am strapped for time. Luckily, a new webinar series from Barr Systems, the Coffee Break series, manages to give you top-flight information in a short, fifteen minute web seminar. There is a Coffee Break webinar on multi-channel messaging this Thursday, January 21 at 3 pm EDT. Just go to http://tinyurl.com/ycrlnsu for more information. There’s no time to waste. 2010 is already in progress.

Let the savings begin!