Jan 30, 2006
Who’s Who in HVTO:
Dale Maris
Pitney Bowes, Automated Document Factory
Dale Maris is a high volume transaction output (HVTO) professional with over 30 years experience. During that time --- associated with companies like Exstream, Cincom and Napersoft --- Maris became an expert with document compositions technologies. As a result, he has consulted with companies throughout North America, Europe and Africa. Today, as a member of the Pitney Bowes in the Automated Document Factory solutions group, Maris works with customers to setup and expand state-of-the-art, enterprise automated document factories.
“I work with large organizations to develop strategies and processes to handle high volume document production,” says Maris. “The key challenge is to adopt different business models and adjust your strategies toward software and hardware products.”
The notion of an Automated Document Factory has been around for years, but Maris feels that implementing an ADF has been an advantage for the companies he has worked with. “Companies are migrating to an ADF to ensure that more accurate mailings are produced within the time restraints,” says Maris. “Having a more formal approach to document production and distribution also provides for additional benefits, like personalized mailings that obtain better customer response.”
The importance of documents, and how they support key business processes, are important drivers for an ADF, says Maris. “Document production cannot be viewed as just a cost, or simply the task of getting company information to customers. It must also add benefits to a company and become a competitive advantage.”
Having worked on three continents, Maris has seen many of the common roadblocks to implementing an ADF. “The common roadblocks are similar to adopting most new technologies,” says Maris. “Issues with the organizations, people and budgets. Upper management must understand the benefits of an ADF because it will impact many different departments within the organization.”
Getting sponsorship for an ADF throughout the organization is essential, says Maris. “Certain managers may not endorse an ADF because the benefits may be controlled outside of their department. Therefore a clear direction and definition of an Automated Document Factory must first be established, before it can be adopted.”
With the methods and processes becoming more mature, does Maris feel that the time is right for widespread adoption of ADF technologies and systems? “The concept of an ADF is still relative new and not well defined,” says Maris. “But we are seeing more companies adopt ADF's and more technologies and systems to implement an ADF. Since all companies have different organizational structures and operational differences, there is no single ADF that applies to all companies. Pitney Bowes has an entire organizations dedicated to helping clients implement ADF's. The key to realizing the benefits of the software products available is to have an architecture and understanding how these products will fulfill the ADF for each organization.”
With that recognition, Maris feels that ADF technologies will help shape the industry landscape in the next 12 – 18 months. “I anticipate better knowledge of Automated Document Factories with improved products from vendors, “ says Maris. “We will see a more mature market and more companies capable of implementing an efficient ADF. There are many challenges in the high volume document industry today. They vary from industry to industry, and an ADF can help with most of them. Security, privacy, color adoption, personalization, target marketing are just a few of the common opportunities for most companies.”
What is Maris’s advice for HVTO systems professionals? “Keep working to find improved technology and demonstrate to your management how ADF technology will improve the bottom line of your company,” says Maris. “It is important to keep an open mind and never give up. Strive for perfection in every aspect.”