When things go wrong in a POD workflow, they can go seriously wrong. In this 2nd in a two-part series of posts I’m explaining how automation in the print-on-demand industry can help workflow flow.
Part Two: Redundant workflows – creating the ability to switch
One of the hidden benefits of automation is that it can function as an insurance policy, protecting your operations when machines break down.
In many plants there are fixed workflows – a particular product code is manufactured on a single press-finishing device combination.
To reduce the impact of machine failure, having flexible workflows makes all the difference.
Flexible workflows means the ability to.
- Impose work just-in-time
- Selecting any combination of press and finishing workflow and be able to swap to a different manufacturing solution
- Form a reproduction sub-batch that can be seamlessly scanned to find partnership with its other batch members
- Have perfect reporting
While the productivity level may be less on the alternate workflow, it will substantially mitigate the effects on your business and keep you inside SLA.
Knowing that you have this safety net in place can provide peace of mind particularly during peak.
Go well.
