It’s no secret: Today’s print shops face increasing pressure to optimize costs, enhance sustainability, and maintain operational flexibility in a dynamic business environment.
This demands a fundamental shift in how organizations approach their printing processes and leverage data-driven insights to guide their decisions. Once considered a simple back-office function, printing has become a strategic asset that can significantly impact a company’s agility and bottom line.
To explore the power of data in transforming print shop operations, we spoke with Maryam Mahani, Software Product Manager at Ricoh. Maryam brings her deep understanding of customer needs and a passion for creating innovative software solutions to address real-world printing challenges. She’s a passionate advocate for print shop managers, constantly working to understand their pain points and translate those insights into effective software solutions.
In this insightful conversation, Maryam sheds light on:
- How Ricoh Supervisor™ helps printers overcome common operational hurdles, from removing production bottlenecks to identifying hidden cost-saving opportunities.
- The importance of collecting accurate print data to make informed decisions about investments, resource allocation, and workflow optimization.
- The future of print shop management, with advancements in predictive intelligence and machine learning poised to further revolutionize the industry.
Join us as we delve into Maryam’s insights and explore real-world case studies that demonstrate the transformative impact of data-driven print shop management.
From Customer Feedback to Innovative Solutions
Labor shortages are a major concern in the print industry. Since it’s something her customers worry about, it’s top of mind for Maryam, who is always on the lookout for opportunities to enhance efficiency and streamline workflows.
“With RICOH Supervisor™, which is our analytics engine,” she explains, “we’ve done so many customer engagement activities. I have and still talk to at least three customers a week, and we actually talk to customers on a continuous basis.”
Ricoh’s product development process is rooted in collaboration. Instead of relying solely on internal ideas, Maryam and her team actively seek feedback from customers at every stage of development. They use several methods to gather this feedback, including surveys to get a pulse on industry trends, as well as regular calls and demos with customers to understand their experiences.
“With every demo, with every function request, any opportunity that we get to present to a customer, to be with our customers when they come to our briefing center, it’s an opportunity for us to get feedback,” she emphasizes.
This continuous feedback loop is at the heart of Ricoh’s product development process. Rather than designing products in isolation, they prioritize a collaborative approach, working with customers to identify challenges and co-create solutions.
Mini Case Study: Empowering Printing Investment Decisions with Data
One of Maryam’s most compelling case studies involves a company that was initially apprehensive about increasing print volume. It feared that the finishing department wouldn’t be able to keep up with the increased workload, potentially leading to costly delays and frustrated customers. The company understood that maximizing print capacity could significantly boost revenue, but the team lacked the data to confidently invest in the necessary finishing equipment.
Recognizing this dilemma, Maryam and the Ricoh team worked closely with the company to implement Ricoh Supervisor™. By connecting the software to the print devices, the company gained real-time visibility into its entire print production workflow. The resulting data was critical for assessing current capacity and identifying potential bottlenecks.
The data revealed that the company’s printing capacity was indeed significantly higher than its finishing capacity. These insights helped paint a compelling, data-driven picture for company management and showed that the purchasing additional finishing equipment would yield a clear return on investment.
The result? The business confidently invested in the new equipment, successfully increased their print output, and streamlined their entire production process.
Unveiling Hidden Costs Savings
Many print shops overlook a significant source of inefficiency and cost: manual data collection. Tracking ink usage, paper consumption, error occurrences, and other key metrics by hand is not only time-consuming but also prone to inaccuracies. This lack of reliable data can make it difficult to identify cost-saving opportunities and optimize resource allocation.
Ricoh Supervisor™ tackles this challenge by automating the entire data collection and analysis process. The software directly connects to print devices, gathering real-time data on a wide range of KPIs, including ink and paper consumption, job completion times, and error rates. This data is then automatically processed and presented in user-friendly dashboards and reports, giving print shop managers a clear, comprehensive view of their operations.
This data-driven approach empowers businesses to pinpoint areas to reduce waste, streamline workflows, and improve efficiency. For example, they can identify jobs that consume a disproportionate amount of ink and analyze the reasons behind it, potentially leading to adjustments in design or printing processes. By making these data-driven optimizations, print shops can achieve significant cost savings and increase their profitability.
Looking Ahead: Predictive Intelligence and the Future of Print
The future of print shop management is all about having more access to more powerful data for better decision-making. When discussing this topic, Maryam is particularly enthusiastic about how predictive intelligence and machine learning will transform the industry, moving beyond reactive analysis to proactive decision-making that optimizes performance and prevents costly downtime.
She highlights exciting advancements in development for Ricoh Supervisor™:
- Predictive maintenance: Machine learning algorithms will analyze data from print devices to predict potential component failures before they occur. This proactive approach to maintenance will minimize disruptions and extend the life of equipment.
- Integrated print quality monitoring: Based on predefined thresholds, recommendations will be provided on adjustments or maintenance tasks to ensure optimal output. This will help print shops maintain high-quality standards, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction.
The goal is to empower print shops to stay ahead of the curve. The hope is that by introducing these new features, Ricoh customers can enjoy a range of efficiency benefits, such as:
- Reduced downtime: By anticipating potential issues, businesses can minimize production interruptions and maintain consistent output.
- Optimized resource allocation: Proactive maintenance allows for better planning and more efficient use of resources.
- Enhanced profitability: By preventing costly breakdowns and improving quality control, print shops can boost their bottom line.
Data-Driven Decisions: The Key to Print Shop Success
As Maryam Mahani’s insights demonstrate, data is no longer a luxury for print shops; it’s a necessity. By harnessing the power of data-driven decision-making, businesses can optimize their operations, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.
Ricoh, through solutions like Ricoh Supervisor™ and its team of expert consultants, is committed to empowering print shops to embrace data-driven strategies. By providing the tools, technology, and expertise needed to collect, analyze, and act on data, Ricoh helps businesses transform their print operations into agile, cost-effective, and sustainable centers of excellence.
Ready to unlock your print shop’s full potential? Contact Ricoh today to learn more about Ricoh Supervisor™ for Print Shops and discover how data-driven decisions can revolutionize your print production.
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