By David Day
Whether you use the term Enterprise Output Management (EOM), high-volume transactional document delivery, High Volume Transactional Output (HVTO), transactional documents or just consider yourself a print and mail provider of critical customer communications such as bills, statements and the like, there is no doubt that every one of us is looking for operational efficiencies and ultimately the way to drive a stronger bottomline. The focus of most of these conversations turn to looking at the current print operation environment and how the day-to-day workflow management facilitates the quickest and most efficient processes for completing the composition, printing, mailing and tracking of transactional documents.
This is normally where an Automated Document Factory, or ADF as it is commonly referred to, comes into the picture. A successful ADF system delivers both flexibility and process automation that, in turn, reduces the time to complete the whole customer communications process and improves the capabilities of the workflow, both from a task and information management perspective.
In order to drive bottom-line results you have to be able to move a high volume of transactional documents through the print and mail operations faster, with a lower incidence of damaged pieces and the ability to track at a piece level through the entire operation including delivery confirmation.
The stumbling block to all of this can be the options available to the producer of these important documents; many times technology and software providers dictate complete replacement of incumbent solutions due to lack of compatibility with certain and significant portions of the print operations workflow. The costs then come with big ‘sticker shock’ and can be in the high six or seven figure mark with the need to acquire new equipment.
All of a sudden the prospect of reducing manual processes like reprints of damaged printed statements doesn’t seem to have the same power of driving bottom-line results. And let’s face it; we need to do things faster, with higher quality and at a lower cost in every department and every activity, but if the savings don’t outweigh the investment, what’s the point?
So what are the options? From our perspective, and we fully admit we are biased; the answer is a modular approach with a focus on compatibility with the current equipment and software in use. At Crawford Technologies we use our expertise in document re-engineering, workflow automation and complete end-to-end tracking to bring enhancements to your print operations where they are most valued and most needed.
Furthermore, it is our philosophy that you only need the pieces that will drive improvement in your business as opposed to replacing the entire process because there isn’t the flexibility to interface and integrate with your current equipment.
How do we do it? It starts with experts in the print and mail field that have developed software and processes that will fill the gaps in your workflow environments. We then pair that with a team of Professional Services resources that will not only get your solution implemented, but work to optimize it for the best possible results for your organization – improvements you may not even have thought of. Finally, we follow it up with support that is available 24/7 and with a proven track record of quick response and resolution times.
The result is an improvement in your bottomline and the ability to use your most valuable resources, your people, for more important tasks within your print operations. If you are an ‘operations manager’, you can be the innovative leader driving the best processes for your department and if you are part of business process management or a part of the C-Suite, you can be the visionary that found a solution to make your organization leaner and more profitable.
Why is flexibility and automation the key to driving bottom-line results for transactional document output and delivery? Without it you are using more resources, spending more time and being less profitable. This gives your competition a distinct advantage. Find out more about how CrawfordTech’s Automated Document Factory (ADF) solution can change your print and mailing operations and open new doors for business and success. For more information, visit our ADF solutions page.