IT Gurus — Tech Trek: Search for Stars

When Padgett first implemented IT in 1991, it was an internal venture, and the printer’s first programmer came onboard to set up an IT management system. Padgett got into digital printing in 1998, and its goal was to concentrate on variable data applications. In 2001, the printer started offering mailing services and hired a full-time database manager. In March 2007, a chief information officer position was created.

In 2007, Padgett also implemented Web-to-print capabilities, which Torok calls “ePadgett,” a Web portal that allows customers to not only order printed products online, but create their own e-storefront.

Earlier this year, Torok appointed a full-time e-storefront manager. “The e-storefront manager was a prepress operator with a design background who had very good computer skills,” he says, adding, “Someone with preflight skills should be able to transition into IT well. It’s harder to train a computer person about printing than it is to train a printing person about computer or IT skills.”

Today, Padgett’s IT department is budgeted for four, plus an intern.

As years go by, Torok predicts that offset printing will become more of a commodity, so companies must invest in ancillary services today if they’re going to survive tomorrow.

“As we developed more successful IT solutions, our sales guys starting selling those solutions to clients. Now, our sales reps are on the street selling e-services, electronic storefronts and the like. They’ve become ‘virtual salesmen’ or, rather, salesmen that sell virtual services.

“If you’re going to stay in the printing business, you must understand where printing is taking your business,” Torok points out. “The long-term strategy is to embrace new technology, so that you can offer myriad services, like a Web portal that allows you to sell to areas across the country—markets you’ve never been able to serve before.”

Right now, IT isn’t a profit center—but it will be soon enough, Torok predicts. “In the future, IT will surely be a revenue stream. It gives us the ability to tie into our customers’ enterprise systems, which, in turn, allows us to take orders 24/7.” PI



Groovin’ With Geeks

Printers are competing with other industries for IT people. So the competition isn’t just between printers; it’s between a whole lot of industries. Competition can be especially tough when printers seek candidates with a printing background or related skill sets.

Brian Regan’s staffing agency, Semper International, headquartered in Boston, tests applicants to see if they fit the bill. “At the moment, IT isn’t a huge segment in printing, but it will be soon,” he says. “Right now, printers are just starting to use recruiters and placement firms, and a lot of IT people don’t know about the printing industry.”