Page 216 - Graphic Design and Print Production Fundamentals

7.4 Implementation and Workflow Considerations

Steve Tomljanovic

Implementation and Deployment

By this point, the workflow strategy has been created, the customer has been included in discussions
about its goals, and the print company has created some sample products and print items for the customer
to test. As well, the print company and customer have completed a pilot period and identified unforeseen
workflow issues. What remains is the final step of making the site live.

Making the site live involves ‘turning it on’ to accept orders from the entire user base. If the above steps
have been completed properly, there should be very few issues.

Continuous Assessment

Even after a storefront has been launched, it is not considered complete. There should always be a
system of continuous assessment in place to respond to customer feedback and correct any errors as the
orders start coming in. Even after the site is live, the programmer should navigate the storefront to ensure
its usability, and place a test order to ensure no issues arise for the customer during the ordering process.
Also of consideration is a post-order assessment, where the internal processes in the printing company
are evaluated for completeness and efficiency, as outlined below.

Workflows and Automation

Orders should enter an automated workflow, creating a seamless transition while bypassing several
departments. Once an order has been placed, the appropriate staff are notified to fulfill it. If a VDP
product was customized, then a print-ready PDF should automatically be uploaded to a hot folder. At
this point, either an automated system or a prepress operator reviews the file for print standards and
imposes it on the print template. These files can then be automatically produced on a digital press or
be sent to the plate setter to be prepared for litho printing. Throughout every step of the process, email
notifications should be sent to appropriate staff so they can fulfill the order, and to the customer so they
can be kept informed of anything related to the order such as invoices and product shipping.

MIS Integration

It is beneficial to select a storefront suitable for integration into a management information system
(MIS) to streamline orders from customization to invoice. Integration is a connection between two
systems that enables the exchange of data. The information is automatically entered into an electronic
docket, which is a database that collects and maintains customer information, products ordered, shipping

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