Getting Into the Variable Game
 In-Plants’ Unique Variable Data Value Proposition
Two phrases come to mind when talking about variable data printing: “Knowledge is Power” and “Identity Theft”. The names and addresses of your clients, your employees or your students are incredibly valuable. When they are coupled with buying habits, preferences, interests or other personal information that database becomes priceless. Yet, this is exactly what needs to happen in order to create personalized communications.
Graphic arts companies go to great lengths to ensure data security, but they are at a tremendous disadvantage compared to in-plants. They are commercial, so they provide the same printing services for many clients … often direct competitors. In-plants, by contrast, may have many internal clients … but they are all part of the same organization. The data can be securely managed behind the corporate firewall.
This is a huge reason to use in-plants. However, in order to leverage this advantage, in-plants need to be able to produce the work. This is a challenge for many shops that might not have the software or the expertise to do it. It is becoming an even greater challenge, as marketing departments are demanding more and more sophisticated personalized communications. The good news is that Ricoh and Objectif Lune can help you overcome these challenges.
Getting Into the Game
A great way to get into the variable data printing game is to use a stand-alone product like PrintShop Mail. This can do all the basics and then some. It can import your background designs in a PDF or EPS format, merge them with your database, apply business rules and print. It is a terrific tool for doing promotional materials and it doesn’t take years of training to use. It is a powerful tool that allows you to vary text, graphics, barcodes and layouts based upon your data. For many, if not most in-plants, PrintShop Mail will provide everything necessary for offering variable data printing services.
The Major Leagues
Some in-plants will need to provide more advanced variable data services along with variable data printing. Such services might include electronic image generation for email and archive or automated document management and distribution. In-plants doing this type of work might also be doing some data center printing and want to get involved with trans-promotional services. PlanetPress Suite is a modular system of design stations and servers that a Ricoh PPBG Systems Engineer can help configure to meet these more sophisticated enterprise needs.
Both PrintShop Mail and PlanetPress are extremely efficient engines. Their ability to cache the print resources and merge variable data on Ricoh printers means faster printing, smaller files and more efficient use of your network. Partnering with Ricoh
Ricoh Production Printing Business Group is unique in the industry in that we have dedicated a Systems Engineer for every 2 Production Specialists. This gives us the ability and focus that we believe is critical in selecting and configuring the right solution, and also in helping you get it running and used. These are senior, experienced, technical people who are driven to make sure that Ricoh-based solutions meet your needs. This integration of Ricoh printers, Objectif Lune software and your infrastructure is what makes Ricoh-based solutions stand out and drive results. |
