As a procurement specialist you are expected to find products and services for your business at an acceptable price that meets the business need. However, when it comes to managing the print procurement process it is essential to consider a number of factors in addition to pricing, Christian Bell, Head of Sales and Marketing at Point, tells SmartProcurement.
“In fact, by simply focusing on cost, you could overlook the opportunity for greater long-term savings and jeopardise your organisation’s brand consistency in the marketplace,” explains Bell.
A print management specialist is able to assist in determining which influences will create a positive outcome for your print purchases. Such a specialist is invaluable for managing print procurement for improved utilisation of an organisation’s spend and, most importantly, greater all round efficiency.
But it is imperative that you know what to look for when selecting a print manager, says Bell.
“From a client perspective, there are a myriad of benefits associated with the service; from a closer attention to detail, increased cost competitiveness, all-round improved efficiencies to tight account management. Moreover it is the ability to successfully manage and maintain your corporate identity through a number of processes throughout the production cycle of a printed product that makes a print management company a good candidate as a business partner.
As one of our clients – Regent Group – recently elaborated: “Our engagement with Point revealed statistics, costs and qualitative results that made it apparent that our process was flawed; had negatively impacted our costs; and was an area and an opportunity where, if we made the right focus and had the right skills and expertise, could be identified as a saving area for our business.”
In this instance we analysed Regent Group’s spend, the quality of various items produced and highlighted areas that negatively impacted the Regent Group brand, the corporate identity and the print production spend. Through this partnership, we embarked to assist the company with print production, electronic and print fulfillment communication and promotional items. The insurance company expects to see improved workflow efficiencies, cost savings, improved brand consistency and an opportunity to give other printers and suppliers an opportunity to work with them.
Only a print management specialist can deliver to clients this level of tailored service. The process is based entirely on what is currently happening within an organisation and what it would like to see happening within print production. It goes without saying that cost is important, but so too are elements such as quality, brand consistency, better utilisation of resources (such as staff) and delivery to deadline – all of which the board expects Procurement to be on top of when selecting suppliers and meeting the organisation’s needs.
See Point at Smart Procurement World, 10-11 September 2013 at Gallagher Convention Centre. www.smartprocurementworld.com
For more information on print managed services contact christian@pointsa.co.za
