As the economy slowly awakens, following enforced lockdowns, businesses in all sectors are evaluating how they will move forward. The way customers find and want to deal with companies has changed and businesses are quickly realising that their operation models must follow suit.
For the printing industry, three trends have become very clear: (1) the importance of digital presence, (2) the advantage of accessing information remotely and (3) the need to reduce operational costs. That’s why it’s not surprising to see printers of all sizes exploring and investing in web-to-print as a solution for their business security and future.
According to research commissioned by Visa, 89% of Britons used online shopping between April and June this year, 31% for the first time. On top of that, 34% of respondents say they prefer shopping online to shopping at physical retailers. In short, consumers are online and, in order to thrive in the ‘new normal’, businesses must be too.
With web-to-print, printers can make their offering available to this large – and growing – audience. They can take orders online, via customised websites and portals, regardless of the time of day which means they can make money even when their staff are fast asleep.
“From conversations I had with customers, during lockdown, it became clear that they now see the importance of having a strong online presence. Most contacted us for guidance to create or improve their online storefronts. They want to meet this consumer demand by offering a great digital experience which is possible with web-to-print.” said Greg Young, Customer Success Director at Infigo.
With cloud-based digital infrastructure, web-to-print software becomes a central location for all information, from inventory to customers orders, and can be easily accessed and managed remotely, ensuring business continuity even during emergencies like lockdown.
Automated workflows means fewer touchpoints for a given job. Besides reducing operational costs and eliminating unnecessary duplication and potential errors when rekeying data, it also frees up manpower. This time saving enables staff to focus their expertise on tasks that bring more profit to the company.
Through web-to-print, printers are able to meet the operational challenges, and changes in buying behaviour, amplified by Covid-19 and lockdown.
Infigo explored this subject further in their white paper titled ‘Are you ready to take advantage of the next printing revolution?’ where they discuss:
* How web-to-print technology is revolutionising the printing and labelling industry, creating a seamless, personalised experience that customers now expect
* Some of the reasons behind Amazon’s huge success and how web-to-print can help your business adapt to the ‘new normal’
* How web-to-print technology could enable business growth in ways that may not have even been considered – even with reduced or remote workforce
* What to look for in a web-to-print software provider to meet business requirements.
Douglas Gibson, managing director of Infigo, says: “We have seen many of our clients revolutionise their business through web-to-print prior to this unprecedented crisis. However, the events of recent months have really brought home the importance of being able to automate, remotely manage and visualise all aspects of print operations.”
