The In-Plant PRINT 17 Checklist
For in-plant printers who want to get the most from their PRINT 17 experience, we have put together a checklist of things to keep in mind as you go through the show floor. Because ultimately, the shops that come prepared for each day will get far more value than those who just wander the show floor hoping to find inspiration.
“I think they need to find solutions that will allow them to take away more, for less,” Reuben Quesus, President and CEO, Web to Print Shop Solution/Racad Tech (Booth 148), advises. “If they feel that they can be provided solutions that will allow them to scale up and minimize production, then they will be set.”
“They need to find that product or service they can offer their customers to make the printing services a more valuable asset to their organization,” agrees Joe Bondonna, Product Manager at Spiral (Booth 3808). “They should look to reducing costs, increasing product offerings, or lowering turn-around time without diminishing quality. Even if they could achieve one of those, they will make attending PRINT 17 a worthwhile experience.”
With that in mind, here are the things you should be considering before you hit the show floor each day, as you evaluate each vendor technology and solution, and as you listen to each seminar and educational session.
1. Will this technology or software solution improve your daily operations in a meaningful way? Look for solutions that aren’t just minor upgrades, but that have a fundamental impact on the way you do business.
2. Can I use this to expand my offerings? Whether it’s your organization that wants to push the limits of what it is producing, or you want to expand and start offering services outside of your own proverbial walls, evaluate each solution you come across not just by what it can do for you right now, but how you might be able to use it to expand into new areas.
3. How necessary is this solution? Let’s be honest, PRINT 17 has lots of shiny new technology, software, and ideas that are easy to get excited about. But before you invest, make sure it is something you believe you can actually build a business plan around, and not something that will become a niche product that isn’t frequently used.
4. How flexible is the budget? By the same token, don’t discount an amazing new technology just because it’s not what you originally came to find, or it’s not within the budget. If you see or hear something that you believe is absolutely worth it, use the show as an opportunity to thoroughly answer “why,” so you can be prepared to go home and make your case.
5. What can I learn? PRINT 17 is about more than just the technology. It is also a chance to attend educational sessions and network with peers, where you can exchange ideas and hear about what is—or isn’t—working in other shops. This is a great opportunity to learn from the collective experience and share your own, which leads to everyone coming out ahead.
