At least in the graphic arts, administrators and vendors are being genuine when they say that shifting operations away from human labor and toward automation to cover the jobs “anyone” can do, and moving the human beings into positions that require the talent and “left brain” thinking that no machine can do, is a very viable option for the future. Increasing numbers of graphic arts operations are making this transition.
These graphic arts operations are doing what they always did, but doing it faster and better, with automated quality control and processing that needs human beings to add value everywhere the machines cannot. For example, designers are doing design–what they love–instead of preparing files over and over again for proper processing through a workflow, and taking countless calls from the press room, the client, and everyone else regarding changes and problems.
The bonus is that re-allocating talent can simultaneously help fulfill the need for printing and production organizations to expand their services and form deeper business and marketing partnerships.
Yet, even if they can get past these obstacles, many people believe they’ve already streamlined processes as much as is possible. For others, it’s hard to imagine specific advantages, and so they aren’t driven to inquire. There’s still another group that has heard negative things about automation, and doesn’t realize that this information could be faulty or outdated.
Once they take the time to investigate, most companies agree that it has come a long way, and that even automating a small part of what you do makes the effort worthwhile.
Automation Myth #1: It’s complicated
Enfocus believes in easy, feasible execution: Break off little pieces of the whole, and conquer the job one component at a time.
Myth #2: Automation sacrifices the craft
The key to utilizing automation in the graphic arts is to confine it to the processes that “anyone can do”, and make a difference (with the human touch) in the work that no robot can do. This also motivates your staff: let them do what they can be proud of – the harder tasks that few, if any others, can do -- like high art.
Another area that cannot be automated is personalized customer service, where long-term relationships are built.
Myth #3: Automation is expensive
Most production automation solutions are big, complex, proprietary, and pricey.
Fortunately, there is an alternative. Enfocus, the company heralded for defining
PDF quality control; once again pioneers a solution category based on its customers’, instead of its own, profit requirements. That category is simple, open, affordable automation; representing a world of difference from the expensive and complicated products that make up the rest of the market. The name of the scalable, easy-to-use solution family that makes this possible is Enfocus Switch.
Enfocus Switch automates as much, or as little, as an operation is ready for, with corresponding pricing starting at $1500.
Another big benefit of a modular, scalable automation solution such as Switch is investment protection. Because closed systems are designed to work by controlling most -- or all -- workflow processes, they often replace software unnecessarily. Enfocus Switch, for example, allows you to use applications you already have; giving them a “second life” as automation modules.
Without the high price tag, you get a completely scalable option that doesn’t compel you to bite off more than you can chew.
Download “The Truth About Automation” whitepaper.