The printing industry is in the middle of an evolutionary migration, moving from a traditional craft to more of an engineering process. Quality issues once attributed to mystical changes in the aura of a press, plate setter or proofer are now understood to be the result of precise mechanical and chemical interactions.

Many printers see this happening in their businesses, and they want to understand not only what’s causing it, but how to take control. Two factors that have helped
move printing toward a science:

1. Increased commoditization.

2. Increased access to business intelligence tools.

The advent of online storefronts, more efficient shipping processes, precise colorimetric standardization of print, and increased globalization are working together to flatten the market and change printing into a commodity.

As qualitative differences subside and standards-based production of print increase, pricing has become a function of the market as a whole, and printers have to be able to produce standardized goods at global market prices. Differentiation of products has become less about the physical differences in a product and more about cost per unit.

Good in Theory

The increase in competitive pricing has caused print manufacturers to look for more efficient ways to produce goods. One way they’re able to increase efficiency is through the adoption of management philosophies and processes such as ISO, TQM or Six Sigma. These disciplines are focused on eliminating waste and increasing efficiency.

Embedded in the adoption of these philosophies are business intelligence tools and applications. Finding more efficient ways to produce goods first involves measuring your manufacturing process and then understanding the efficiencies and inefficiencies of that
process.

In essence, business intelligence tools allow manufacturers to understand which factors are affecting the efficiency of their production and value of their products. In order to implement a Six Sigma process, input and output factors must be measured using relevant metrics….

Tags: application, business, Business Intelligence