Session Descriptions

Tutorial 1: Introduction to the Technology of Print On Demand
Digital technologies are changing the way that companies work. Wave after wave of innovations have redefined the way that print service providers approach their markets. This tutorial is designed to provide an overview of this evolving market with a heavy focus on the hardware and software technologies necessary for successfully implementing digital production printing.

Session 1: How to Choose the Right Production Color Hardware Technology
Digital color printing is a growing opportunity for print service providers. The range of new and existing products presents a bewildering set of choices. This session will introduce printers to the different types of production color equipment that are currently available in the market, provide an unbiased assessment of the products, and review tips on how to select the right system for their business needs.

Session 3: Workflow Software & Hybrid (Offset & Digital) Workflows
In a digital production flow it is more necessary than ever to integrate the printing system within the technical and administrative data flow. Automated workflow solutions provide the efficiency gains to handle even short run and quick turnaround jobs profitably.

As many print service providers are running offset and digital printing systems in parallel it is necessary to integrate both worlds. This session will discuss solutions available and the advantages of having an integrated offset and digital workflow.

Live Demonstrations: Production Software
After a short overview given by an InfoTrends Consultant, several software solution providers will provide live demonstrations of their production software solutions.

Session 5: How to Choose the Right Production Black & White Hardware Technology
Digital black & white printing covers a vast market for cost effective digital print. New high-speed, cut-sheet, or roll-fed printers are opening up new opportunities and applications in commercial print, publishing, and transactional applications. Speakers in this session will discuss the market impact and opportunities in monochrome digital printing.

Session 7: How Digital Can Expand Market Opportunities in the Commercial Offset Market
Commercial printers need to understand a range of issues that arise when offset and digital operations meet. These include the economic cross-over point for short-run static printing, hybrid workflows that foster the ability to run jobs to any output device, color management that works across diverse processes, and consistent substrate use. In this session, you’ll hear from experts who understand the implications of these choices, and who are proving that digital printing can be an integral part of commercial printer’s business transformation.

Session 9: The Multi-Channel and Cross Media Communications Opportunity
Today communication is much more than print. More and more communication is taking place on the internet, on mobile devices and electronic displays. To stay competitive in the future, print needs to interface with new media such as the internet. In this session solutions will be presented that allow print, the web and mobile media to interface with each other and examples for successful cross media campaigns, using print and electronic media.

Session 11: Matching Markets to Paper/Media and Machines Quality management System
Papers and other substrates used for digital print must meet the requirements of a wide range of user applications. These applications may be as simple as general-purpose office papers for routine printing assignments or as complex as specialty media for niche applications in security or decorative printing. New applications such as photo printing bring more requirements for paper yet. In this session, industry experts examine which paper types fit for which applications and factors to watch out for regarding paper on digital printers.

Live Demonstrations: Production Software
After a short overview given by an InfoTrends Consultant, several software solution providers will provide live demonstrations of their production software solutions.

Session 13: Technology Trends & Opportunities in Digital Short Run Label Printing
One of the strongest growing segments in the printing industry is label printing. The need for labels is constantly rising due to increasing branding activities of product owners and legislative pressure to include more information. At the same time the run lengths are going down and production is moving more and more to a just in time model. It is no surprise that digital print is best suited to gain from these developments and more and more printing system vendors are offering solutions to the market. This session strives to give an overview on the latest technology used in digital label printing and how digital print can take advantage of trends in the label market.

Tutorial 2: Introduction to the Business of Print on Demand
The Print On Demand business is more than just delivering printed pages. Whether you are just entering the POD arena, or are already entrenched, this session will provide you with the checkpoints you need to make sure you are on top of your game.

• What you need internally to be ready

• How to create a plan to spread the word about new digital printers

• How to build an annuity of loyal and profitable customers

Session 2: Engaging the Sales Force to Sell Digital
Selling digital solutions and services is very different then selling traditional print, and investment in digital production capabilities alone doesn't guarantee revenue growth. Your sales representatives must talk to different people, convey a different value proposition, and compete against different companies than they have before. This session provides you with the tools you need to successfully energize your digital services sales efforts. Key topics and issues include:

• Understanding the business communications value chain

• Establishing a strategic position and competitive advantage

• Strategic selling and account strategies: A Roadmap

• An update on customer requirements and market forecasts

Session 4: Properly Position and Promote Your Digital Services Business
Your customers can only buy from you if they know that you exist! You need to effectively position your business in the eyes of your customers and then properly promote the services that you offer. You will need to educate the market about the products and services you provide. This session will discuss how marketing service providers have repositioned their businesses and the promotional strategies that have helped them achieve positive results.

Live Demonstrations: Production Software
After a short overview given by an InfoTrends Consultant, 2-3 software solution providers will provide live demonstrations of their production software solutions.

Session 6: Business Opportunities in Short Run Digital Label, Tag, & Packaging Printing
Don’t miss the digital label printing opportunity! Learn how to position yourself for success in this fast growing market. This session looks at the latest trends and developments, provides clear strategies on how to target your business, and explains the latest digital applications in tags, tickets, and narrow-web flexible packaging.

Session 8: Emerging Print On-Demand Applications: Short Run Books, Photo Services, and Catalogs
Simply stated, print on-demand allows you to produce print when you need it and where you need it. This can generate tremendous new business, such as proven by the exponentially growing photo product market. Print on-demand also allows you to re-engineer existing models and drive costs out by minimizing waste and obsolesces, which is one of the premises of short run book and catalog print. Either way, print on-demand applications require a different approach than traditional applications and in this session you will learn how to make digital print on demand work for you.

Session 10: Financing and Acquiring Digital Hardware and Software Solutions
Acquiring financing for digital hardware and software solutions can be difficult in the current economic climate. Learn in this session about the different options available to you and how to make sure you choose the form of financing that is right for your business.

Session 12: Going Vertical: It Could Be Your Competitive Differentiator!
Targeting specific vertical markets and establishing a leadership position in a vertical market segment is proving to be a key differentiator for some print service providers. This session provides an overview of the benefits of a vertical marketing approach and discusses a few success stories from companies that are embracing vertical marketing.

Live Demonstrations: Production Software
After a short overview given by an InfoTrends Consultant, 2-3 software solution providers will provide live demonstrations of their production software solutions.

Session 14: Feeding, Finishing & Fulfillment Opportunities
A print job is only completed when it is finished. Digital print production being targeted at short runs, personalization and just in time production has much stricter requirements on finishing than conventional print. Additionally finishing offers a bewildering array of options for a vast range of print products. This session will give an overview on how finishing set-ups can be optimized for digital printing, which finishing options are available for digital print and when it makes sense to go in-line or off-line.

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