01 Build workforce/automation challenges
To address rising labor costs, businesses must do more revenue-generating work while minimizing reliance on skilled labor. With rising labor costs and challenges in finding capable workers, automation becomes a smart investment.
The target of automation is not just Labour. There are opportunities to automate processes throughout operations - front desk, sales, pre-press, newsroom, post-press processing and transportation. It may involve equipment updates, mechanical systems, software, or even work practices. It is also increasingly automated ordering through customer portals and online storefronts.
In contrast to the purely mechanical solutions of the last century, many modern automation solutions are digitally driven. Because of this, these systems generate a lot of data. Identify lost time, inefficiencies, waste, downtime, etc., to extract as much productive time as possible. Creating efficient ways to collect and synthesize this data should be seen as another powerful automation opportunity.
02 Digital drive systems and artificial intelligence
Automation is not just about making changes to the myriad systems on the production floor. Among those looking to make capital investments in 2024, a significant common thread is that they are looking for workflow software, e-commerce solutions, intelligent software systems that can both streamline and accelerate production, according to the alliance survey. In turn, it minimizes the human time spent performing repetitive tasks and enabling or enhancing the ability to perform other tasks.
Just as the concept of automation has shifted from a purely mechanical system to one enhanced by digital systems, another profound change has been the recent rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI).
03 Multiple motivations are at work
While the purpose of this article is to explain how (and why) print service providers (PSPS) are using automation to solve workforce challenges, there is a deeper motivation - the pursuit of profitability. Printing service providers (PSPS) must have a "comprehensive, company-wide focus on productivity," of which addressing labor costs is just one part, said Andy Paparozzi, chief economist at the Print Alliance, in a list of data-driven "must DOS" for the printing industry.
However, focusing only on labor costs only sees part of the solution. Of course, labor can be replaced by automation. It can also be changed, automated and redesigned. Similarly, automation is not just a substitute for labor. It can also be enhanced, enabled, and transformed. It can make work different, better, and even more rewarding.
04 Balance of automated work
Ultimately, the pursuit of automation is to meet the production and profitability needs of enterprises. Well-solved, thoughtfully implemented automation should deliver as many benefits on the labor side (the number of people required, the amount of work a single worker can reasonably accomplish in a shift, meaningful and more satisfying work) as it should deliver benefits on the labor side. Productivity, quality and speed of delivery of products as required.
While a focus on workforce is a "top consideration" for many PSPS today, it's important not to miss out on the broader opportunities and benefits that automation can provide. A strong focus on profitability - the primary goal of all automation efforts - may be a more important concern in the long run.
