So what is Print Management now?
Put simply, it is the total management of a company’s complete Print Requirements – from Business Vital Print, Continuous Computer Stationery, Marketing Print, Direct Mail, Financial Print, to Corporate Clothing, Promotional Items, Signage and even Building Wraps and Vehicle Livery.
If it needs printing – it needs managing and if a company isn’t doing it properly – they are wasting effort - which is time and money.
This is where Print Management companies are critical to the support of their clients.The most experienced Print Management companies tend to come from the brokers/distributors who specialised mainly in the supply of computer stationery & business forms and over the years have diversified into many other areas – not just Forms Management anymore but Print Management - such as self-adhesive labels, colour and direct mail print, and envelopes. Also vital are many other related services such as storage, stock control, distribution, usage history reporting, etc.
The best print management companies provide their clients with vastly superior levels of service, usually by investing in highly skilled and trained staff. Training being vitally important and often overlooked area and one where I like to practice what I preach, being the first (and currently only) Print Management Director in the UK to attain the IOD Chartered Director status. Also of vital importance is the latest integrated ICT systems, warehousing, distribution and artroom services. Print Management companies also provide a comprehensive, print consultancy, production and project management service, as well as the actual products. Dedicated internal support teams, in addition to the Account Directors and Managers who tend to operate mainly out “in the field” are crucial. Finally to complete the picture the best companies also place great importance on supplier relations, and “partner” with our main trade only suppliers, while remaining an independently owned print management company.
Your selected print management company should have expertise in:
- design
- Production
- Storage
- Stock control
- Instant delivery
- Reports on stock levels and usage history
- Consultancy ….. and much more.
Why would any company consider changing to Print Management?
Printing accounts for 1.7% of UK’s GDP that’s nearly £14 Billion. All companies spend money on print, with usually more than one person or department buying their print and that most companies have no idea of the true cost of their total print spend.
Competition is forcing more and more businesses to focus on their core activities, but in order to focus, some Companies have opted – In some cases after great expense to a Cost Management Company - to release their non-core activities to The Specialists in their respected fields.
This has enabled them to …
- Reduce non-core activity costs
- To focus Finances and Infrastructure on Core revenue streams.
- Exploit external skills to help ensure the business retains its competitive edge.
- To respond rapidly to market change and opportunity.
- To utilise all Staff to core business
- To reduce (and sometimes eliminate) investment in new technologies, training, recruitment, payroll, NI, etc (Hidden & Forgotten Costs).
This has got to be the route to success where every gain is directed straight to their Bottom Line.
Do companies know where financial losses occur in print?
A staggering 95% of people involved in the Procurement of Print for SME’s and Multi National Companies, when asked during Print Management surveys, didn’t know.
These losses come in the areas we at CDP Print Management refer to as hidden and forgotten costs. They can be responsible for additional processing costs of up to an extra £2 - for every £1 spent on print. For more information on hidden and forgotten costs please email me or contact me at CDP Print Management
Its staggering to think of the amount of money that can be wasted just by not using the right expertise for purchasing the main product and service range that Print Management companies offer.
Print Management companies such as CDP Print Management also offer potential clients free reviews by use of a no obligation ‘Health Check’ of all existing form’s requirements.
As well as identifying savings in print costs, specialised stock holding and control system will probably save money as well. Office space is too valuable an asset to waste holding stocks of stationery that don’t have any immediate use, so companies like CDP release clients floor space for some more profitable use.
The future for Print Management?
A lot of interest is being generated around Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Issues and the whole subject of companies “carbon footprint” and effect on the community is becoming increasingly important. IPIA members are in an ideal position to advise on these issues and future reviews of any spend on print should reference these and at CDP Print Management we have a fact sheet devoted solely to these areas.
Strong competition for print management contracts now tends to come from companies that have a background in facilities management, rather than print, and this can work very well for the largest blue chip companies who have highly systemised processes and are prepared to work on strict contract agreements. However for the client who wants that slight difference to the norm, extra flexibility, real in depth knowledge of print or that additional level of service then IPIA members offer the best solution and will continue to do so.
IPIA member companies come from a pure print background and will continue to develop the levels of personal service that end users deserve, although that will generally come at a higher price than companies who come from a facilities management background. However from personal experience I know that many users are prepared to pay that extra cost for the enhanced service and print expertise so the future for true IPIA member Print Management companies will remain optimistic for many years to come.
Mark Scanlon C.Dir
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