3 Key Challenges in 2005
Each company faces challenges unique to its business,
but here are three common ones the printing industry
faces this year:
- Positioning in the marketplace. Products
and services once on the periphery of the document industry
now are mainstays, including promotional products, custom
labels, packaging and statement processing. Some companies
have chosen to grow by expanding their capabilities,
while others have narrowed their focus. Many distributors
and manufacturers say this decision-whether to become
a "one-source" shop or specialize-will be important
in 2005.
- System interoperability. Many industry pros
who want software interoperability to be the norm endorse
JDF as the standard data structure-the dialect every
software program should speak. With JDF, companies can
streamline the entire process for producing printed
products and be assured that competing products conform
to a standard interface, allowing for integration of
disparate products. The advantages of interoperability
are plentiful, including lower transaction costs and
increased opportunity for partnerships. But one necessary
component of interoperability is cooperation among companies
that otherwise compete, and that's something those software
firms and manufacturers with e-commerce capabilities
must overcome.
- Supply-chain trust. More distributors are
asking their manufacturers to do much more than print
documents. Distributors are looking to their partners
to join them on sales calls, provide marketing kits
and selling ideas for new products, and provide internet
technology that enables faster proofing and file sharing.
At the same time, of course, distributors aim to protect
their accounts and want to work with trustworthy firms.
Ink, paper and equipment suppliers also benefit when
their industry partnerships are based on mutual trust.
As the supply chain becomes increasingly automated,
trust will be a simple but important factor for the
industry's growth.
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