Print Solutions Magazine, May 2004 -- 433 E. Monroe

'E' is Essential

"The presentation was going flawlessly. Everything was great...until they asked if our company was online. We lost a client because we didn't have a web site." So says a current radio commercial for a web design firm. Sure, the company that created the ad is trying to sell its services, but the scenario it presents is believable.

These days, a strong web presence is essential for instilling confidence in current and potential customers. According to a recent Pew Research Center report, more than 8 out of 10 internet users have researched a product or service online. As people move from catalogs to keyboards, online offerings become essential.

For companies who delve into e-business and use their online presence for more than just an informative brochure site, service and moneymaking opportunities abound. In our industry, for example, companies are making print transactions more convenient by using the web to seamlessly handle ordering, scheduling, proofing, billing, shipping and tracking. The internet has made these steps easy and efficient, which benefits the entire printing supply chain, including end users.

DMIA and Print Solutions strive to provide user-focused web sites that bring the benefits of ease and efficiency to our members and readers. DMIA's web site (www.PSDA.org) includes the Source Hotline Online, which allows visitors to search for sources of supply and send quotation requests via email; broadcast email programs, which provide a convenient way for members to discuss management and day-to-day business issues with hundreds of industry peers; and the Marketing Library, which offers text and graphics, sample layouts, design templates and other resources that help industry pros create marketing materials.

At Print Solutions' web site (www.printsolutionsmag.com), visitors can use a new online reader-connection service to build their source and sample files with information directly from Print Solutions advertisers. They also can find complete issues of the magazine (are you reading this online right now?), special content written by Print Solutions editors exclusively for the web, current industry news and more. And we're always open to new ideas that can make our sites even more valuable: Call us at (800) 336-4641, or email bholt@printsolutionsmag.com.

Speaking of ideas, the following pages are full of them. This month's cover story is about the importance and empowerment of internet technology. In it, you'll learn about two e-commerce projects distributors are tackling to improve business for their clients. We hope their ideas inspire you and illustrate how essential "e" really is.

Christine Kenny

New Media Specialist

ckenny@PSDA.org

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Table of Contents

Editor in Chief

Peter L. Colaianni, CAE

Vice President,
Publications & New Media

Brad Holt

Managing Editor

Darin Painter
Assistant Editors
Preeti Vasishtha
Andrew Brown

Art Director/
Production Manager

Roxanne Rash

Advertising Director

Cyndy Kelly

Advertising Coordinator

Curtessa Pennington

Contributing Editors

Dick Gorelick

Dennis McGarry, CDC

Phil Schmidt

Publications Committee

Dan Swagler, Chairperson
Bob Bell
Jeff Long
Geoffrey Nelson
Tom Nelson
Gail O'Roke, CDC
Geo Plumberg
Ivars Sarkans
Louann Siebert
George Smith, CDC
Bob Talion
Steve Wakefield
Dave Wandling, CDC

Advertising Sales

Print Solutions Magazine
Advertising Department

433 E. Monroe Ave.

Alexandria, VA 22301-1693

(800) 336-4641

Fax: (703) 549-4966

bholt@printsolutionsmag.com

Print Solutions Online

Print Solutions, the only industry magazine to win awards for writing and design excellence, is available online at www.printsolutionsmag.com. The site includes daily news, a comprehensive archive of Print Solutions articles, a complete media kit, links to industry companies and other features not included in the magazine.

Print Solutions is the official publication of the Print Services & Distribution Association (PSDA), the Association for Business Printing Independents. Unsolicited manuscripts are welcome. Please address all submissions to: The Editor, Print Solutions Magazine, 433 E. Monroe Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301-1693. Phone (703) 836-6232, fax (703) 549-4966. You can reach us via email at bholt@printsolutionsmag.com. Visit our World Wide Web site at www.printsolutionsmag.com.

Volume 42, Number 5, May 2004. Print Solutions (USPS 205-400, ISSN 1535-9727) is published monthly by DMIA, 433 E. Monroe Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301-1693, (703) 836-6232. Subscriptions: $29 per year for DMIA members included in dues, $49 for non-members (plus postage for Canada and foreign). Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, VA, and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: Send address changes to Print Solutions, 433 E. Monroe Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301-1693.

Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply approval on the part of the Publications Committee, Officers or Membership of DMIA.

Printed in the USA.