In today’s fast-paced printing industry, print service providers (PSPs) and in-plants face mounting pressure to increase productivity while maintaining quality and managing costs. The key to meeting these challenges lies in harnessing the power of production data – but many print operations still leave valuable insights on the table. SpencerMetrics has discovered that the average print shop operates at just 40-60% of its theoretical maximum efficiency, representing a significant opportunity for improvement through smart data utilization.
“Flying” blind can cost you north of 40% of your maximum efficiency.
The Hidden Cost of Operating Blind
Consider a typical scenario in many print operations: A shop appears to run smoothly, but production managers struggle to identify why certain jobs consistently miss deadlines or profit margins vary dramatically between similar projects. These issues often remain mysteries without precise data tracking and analysis, leading to continued inefficiencies and lost revenue.
Through our work with hundreds of print service providers, we’ve identified that this lack of visibility typically results in:
- 2-3 hours of undocumented daily downtime
- 15-20% excess material waste
- Significant operator idle time
- Missed opportunities for process optimization
The SpencerMetrics Advantage
Our integrated suite of solutions is specifically designed to transform print operations through comprehensive data collection, analysis, and automation. Our approach combines three powerful platforms to deliver unprecedented visibility and control over your print operation.
One single adjustment may increase your daily output by at least 12%.
CONNECT: Your Window into Real-Time Production
CONNECT serves as your eyes and ears on the production floor, automatically capturing and analyzing data from every connected device (digital or analog!). Unlike traditional manual tracking methods, CONNECT provides instant visibility into production metrics that matter. Print managers can finally answer crucial questions like: “Why did we miss our targets last week?” or “Which shifts are most productive and why?”
The real power of CONNECT lies in its ability to translate raw data into actionable insights. When a leading commercial printer implemented CONNECT, they discovered that what they thought was an equipment problem was a workflow issue, causing their operators to wait an average of 45 minutes per shift for job instructions. They increased their daily output by 12% by addressing this single insight.
Collecting data automatically can save 2–3 hours of manual data collection & entry per day.
LYNK: Seamless Integration for Enhanced Workflow
Building on the foundation of CONNECT, LYNK bridges the gap between your various business systems. This intelligent integration platform ensures that job specifications, customer requirements, and production data flow seamlessly throughout your operation. A regional packaging printer using LYNK eliminated double-data entry and reduced job setup times by 35%, allowing them to take on additional work without adding staff.
Increase productivity by 25% and more.
AUTOMATER: Taking Optimization to the Next Level
AUTOMATER represents the culmination of our workflow intelligence solutions, bringing automated decision-making to your print operation. This sophisticated platform continuously analyzes production patterns to optimize job scheduling, resource allocation, and maintenance timing. One of our clients, a digital print specialist, saw their average job turnaround time decrease by 40% after implementing AUTOMATER while simultaneously reducing overtime costs by 25%.
Real-time data and analytics can increase operational efficiency by 45% and more.
The Real Impact: A Case Study in Transformation
The true value of SpencerMetrics solutions becomes clear when examining their combined impact. A mid-sized commercial printer in the Northeast implemented our complete suite and experienced remarkable results within the first year:
Their overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) increased from 45% to 68% by eliminating hidden inefficiencies identified by CONNECT. LYNK’s integration capabilities streamlined their workflow, reducing job handoff times by 60%. With AUTOMATER managing its production schedule, it optimized press utilization and reduced rush jobs by 75%.
The financial impact was substantial: revenue per press increased by 22% while operating costs decreased by 15%. Most importantly, the improved efficiency and predictability allowed them to confidently take on additional high-value clients, knowing they could consistently meet delivery commitments.
Beyond Software: A Partnership for Success
At SpencerMetrics, we understand that software alone isn’t enough. Our team of print industry experts works closely with each client to ensure successful implementation and ongoing optimization. We begin with a thorough analysis of your current operations, develop a customized implementation plan, and provide comprehensive training and support throughout the process.
Our commitment doesn’t end at installation. We maintain regular check-ins with our clients, analyzing their data to identify new optimization opportunities and sharing best practices learned across our network of users. This continuous improvement approach ensures that our clients continue to find new ways to enhance their operations long after the initial implementation.
Investing in Your Future
In an industry where margins are tight, and competition is fierce, the ability to optimize operations through data-driven insights isn’t just an advantage – it’s a necessity for long-term success. SpencerMetrics solutions provide the visibility, control, and automation needed to transform your print operation into a model of efficiency and profitability.
Ready to discover how SpencerMetrics can help unlock your operation’s full potential? Contact us today to schedule a personalized demonstration and consultation.