ChicagolandBoard

Friday, April 7, 2006 was the 5th annual AIIM Wisconsin, COMA Milwaukee, and Xplor Chicagoland Chapter joint meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The meeting theme was “Journey of the Document: From Data-Mining to Response”. 87 attendees (pic1) networked, listened to the speakers, and saw all of the information put to use during a tour of the Openfirst corporate facility.

Welcome and opening remarks were presented by Terry Johnson (pic2) - AIIM Wisconsin, The Enterprise Content Management Organization; Steve Mau (pic3) – COMA Milwaukee, The Computer Operations Management Association; and by Hubie Kocurek (pic4) – Xplor Chicagoland Chapter, The Organization of the Electronic Document Space.

We were favored with a visit by Tom Barrett (pic5), Mayor of Milwaukee. The Mayor is a strong supporter of the Milwaukee Business Community and has led trade delegations to Ireland and China. In both countries he saw their commitment to Economic Development and Education and wishes to do the same in Milwaukee. The Chinese are just starting to print Bank Statements and to do Direct Marketing. The Mayor saw an opportunity to have the Chinese hire Milwaukee businesses, with strengths in those areas, to either set-up business within China or to be the “go-to” city to outsource Chinese Statement and Direct Marketing needs.

The first speaker was Robert Kraft (pic6), President & CEO of Openfirst, presenting: “The New Reality of Direct Mail – Examining the Workflow Process to Reduce Cycle Time”.

Openfirst is a 10 year old company with the industry’s most comprehensive workflow management process. Openfirst integrates its data proficiency, technology know-how, and industry expertise to shorten production cycles, reduce costly errors, and provide value to the Bottom Line.

Transactions are getting faster. This increase in speed requires a more controlled workflow. A workflow is the process that governs any complex string of executable sub-processes.

Direct Mail Babylon:

· Terrible workflow
· Long cycle times
· Multiple competing fiefdoms
· Uncoordinated and frustrating processes
· Poor practices are the norm
· Miscommunication
· Repeated Trial and Error
· Cost per Piece versus Return On Investment
· Results become secondary
· Expensive in the end

If you fail to establish fluid production workflows, minor interruptions will cripple the process. The world is changing and the only constant is change. Our industry has been turned upside down and merged.

What does the future hold?
· Direct Marketing will grow
· Electronic communication will surpass paper
· Printed forms will vanish by 2020
· Direct Marketing, Statements, and CRM will merge

· Companies that focus on solid data handling and process reconfiguration will be winners

· China will become the United States largest trading partner, behind Britain, by 2015

The next speaker was Guy Miller (pic7), Co-owner of Third Wave Research, presenting: “Data-Mining and Targeting your Customers”. Third Wave Research is a spin-off from the University of Wisconsin – Madison Applied Population Lab. Third Wave Research is not an agency or a printer. It blends analytics with technology and offers multi-industry expertise.

Why Data Analysis?
· Society is changing
· Personal preferences are changing
· Significant differences between important customer groups

If you don’t track and forecast change, as it relates to your business, your business will become obsolete. As the fragmentation of the American family continues, each resulting niche has to be marketed too differently. To facilitate data analysis, Third Wave Research subscribes to a CRM data model that integrates data, from primary and secondary sources, into a powerful custom marketing system that delivers measurable results.

How does the Third Wave Research marketing system add value?
· Customer records are cleaned to remove duplicates
· Addresses are standardized
· Deliverability is ensured
· Customer records are enhanced by applying demographic, consumer spending, and media preference information
· Experienced analysts go beyond rough data segmentation
· Analysts identify the best current customers and the best prospects providing a mailing list with variable digital data to reach these people

The next speaker was John Price (pic 8), Product Manager, CSF presenting: “Why Consider a Document Composition Tool?”

What is Document Composition? It is the integration of customer data with company business rules and template layouts to generate customer communications.

What is at stake in a banking environment?
· Customers satisfied with cross channel communications are 4 times more likely to buy 4 or more bank products.
· Customers that receive personalized statements are 40% more likely to increase their banking business; 48% more likely to seek more information about bank products; and 41% more likely to change their asset allocation.

What is the value of a Document Composition Tool?
· Good design equals less customer confusion.
· Good design equals a satisfying customer relationship.
· Good design allows the fulfillment of legal requirements.
· Good design drives revenues.
· Good design treats customers as individuals.
· Page counts and insert costs reduced 30-50% by better use of document white space.
· Development costs reduced 50-80%.
· Testing costs reduced up to 50%.
· Reduced print costs.
· Reduced Call Center activity.

What are holding companies back from implementing a Document Composition Tool?
· Some composition applications are too complicated for the average business user.
· There is a gap between the business user and the IT department.
· The IT department is reluctant to give up document design control.

A good Document Composition Tool should provide:
· Design, Collaboration, and Test facilities.
· Marketing campaign management.
· Print and archive management.
· E-Billing or PDF support.
· Tool availability on demand.

How should a Document Composition Tool Work?
· The tool should be PC based.
· The tool needs an easy to use interface.
· The tool should have a rich client on the PC but allow web based collaborative access.
· The tool should allow collaborative designs.
· The tool should allow WYSIWYG testing of both print and electronic outputs.
· The tool should allow version control linked to a dynamic workflow.
· The tool should have smart test files to test all logic conditions.

The next speaker was Tom Lee (pic9), OCE´ Marketing Manager, presenting: “Job Appropriate Color”.

The application requirements drive the choice of color delivery technology:
· Have a document Color Strategy.
· Determine how much color your application will need.
· Select the right technology based on whether you need Highlight Color or Full Process Color.

Customers today, are concerned with using and paying for only the type of color the application demands.

The final speaker was Jeff Marini (pic10), Lasermax Roll Systems presenting: “Do You See What We See? - Enabling a Quality Control Process”.

The Lasermax Roll Systems Web Vision Quality Assurance Monitor was introduced at the Lasermax Roll Systems booth at this year’s Xplor/Graphics of the Americas show in Miami Beach. This system is used by the Internal Revenue Service and by the National Security Agency.

Using high resolution cameras to scan in-line the full width of digitally printed Bills, Statements, and Documents, Web Vision captures very large, high quality images to enable automated analysis of Image Quality, Data Integrity, and Workflow Processes.

Image Quality:
· Based on appropriate Test Images, Web Vision analyzes Print Density at all points across the printer web.
· Web Vision also tests for Image Smears and localized artifacts such as Specks or Scratches.

Data Integrity:
· Using Optical Character Recognition, customer statement account identifiers, and sequence numbers can be checked for logical content.
· Data, in separate fields, can be checked for self consistency.

Workflow Processes:
· Web Vision can monitor the alignment of print relative to pre-print and can confirm that the proper pre-printed stock has been selected.
· Web Vision can monitor the readability of 2D data matrices and other common symbology to ensure smooth down-stream processing.
· Web Vision allows analysis immediately after printing. Problems are identified as soon as possible minimizing both wasted paper and printing time.

The Web Vision system consists of a paper handling module to control the paper web, cameras, a PC with monitor, and image capture and analysis software. Automated tests can be stored as templates and can be run without operator adjustments. The print operator can view the entire web, pan and zoom, and freeze the display. The print line is shutdown when certain errors are detected.

After the excellent lunch, sponsored by OCE´ and Lasermax Roll Systems, the attendees left to tour the Openfirst facility and track documents through 6 processing stations. At each station, the attendees were given a 15 minute overview on the technologies and workflow processes being used.

Due to the pushed back date of the Milwaukee meeting, the Xplor Chicagoland Chapter Board has decided to not hold our May meeting and instead concentrate on our September 15 meeting in Downers Grove, Illinois.

For a PDF copy of these notes, click on the icon.


		...the heart of Xplor

	Chicagoland Chapter Events - Review of 4/07/06 Meeting

	Friday, April 7, 2006 was the 5th annual AIIM Wisconsin, COMA Milwaukee, and Xplor Chicagoland Chapter joint meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The meeting theme was “Journey of the Document: From Data-Mining to Response”. 87 attendees (pic1) networked, listened to the speakers, and saw all of the information put to use during a tour of the Openfirst corporate facility. Welcome and opening remarks were presented by Terry Johnson (pic2) - AIIM Wisconsin, The Enterprise Content Management Organization; Steve Mau (pic3) – COMA Milwaukee, The Computer Operations Management Association; and by Hubie Kocurek (pic4) – Xplor Chicagoland Chapter, The Organization of the Electronic Document Space. We were favored with a visit by Tom Barrett (pic5), Mayor of Milwaukee. The Mayor is a strong supporter of the Milwaukee Business Community and has led trade delegations to Ireland and China. In both countries he saw their commitment to Economic Development and Education and wishes to do the same in Milwaukee. The Chinese are just starting to print Bank Statements and to do Direct Marketing. The Mayor saw an opportunity to have the Chinese hire Milwaukee businesses, with strengths in those areas, to either set-up business within China or to be the “go-to” city to outsource Chinese Statement and Direct Marketing needs. The first speaker was Robert Kraft (pic6), President & CEO of Openfirst, presenting: “The New Reality of Direct Mail – Examining the Workflow Process to Reduce Cycle Time”. Openfirst is a 10 year old company with the industry’s most comprehensive workflow management process. Openfirst integrates its data proficiency, technology know-how, and industry expertise to shorten production cycles, reduce costly errors, and provide value to the Bottom Line. Transactions are getting faster. This increase in speed requires a more controlled workflow. A workflow is the process that governs any complex string of executable sub-processes. Direct Mail Babylon: · Terrible workflow · Long cycle times · Multiple competing fiefdoms · Uncoordinated and frustrating processes · Poor practices are the norm · Miscommunication · Repeated Trial and Error · Cost per Piece versus Return On Investment · Results become secondary · Expensive in the end If you fail to establish fluid production workflows, minor interruptions will cripple the process. The world is changing and the only constant is change. Our industry has been turned upside down and merged. What does the future hold? · Direct Marketing will grow · Electronic communication will surpass paper · Printed forms will vanish by 2020 · Direct Marketing, Statements, and CRM will merge · Companies that focus on solid data handling and process reconfiguration will be winners · China will become the United States largest trading partner, behind Britain, by 2015 The next speaker was Guy Miller (pic7), Co-owner of Third Wave Research, presenting: “Data-Mining and Targeting your Customers”. Third Wave Research is a spin-off from the University of Wisconsin – Madison Applied Population Lab. Third Wave Research is not an agency or a printer. It blends analytics with technology and offers multi-industry expertise. Why Data Analysis? · Society is changing · Personal preferences are changing · Significant differences between important customer groups If you don’t track and forecast change, as it relates to your business, your business will become obsolete. As the fragmentation of the American family continues, each resulting niche has to be marketed too differently. To facilitate data analysis, Third Wave Research subscribes to a CRM data model that integrates data, from primary and secondary sources, into a powerful custom marketing system that delivers measurable results. How does the Third Wave Research marketing system add value? · Customer records are cleaned to remove duplicates · Addresses are standardized · Deliverability is ensured · Customer records are enhanced by applying demographic, consumer spending, and media preference information · Experienced analysts go beyond rough data segmentation · Analysts identify the best current customers and the best prospects providing a mailing list with variable digital data to reach these people The next speaker was John Price (pic 8), Product Manager, CSF presenting: “Why Consider a Document Composition Tool?” What is Document Composition? It is the integration of customer data with company business rules and template layouts to generate customer communications. What is at stake in a banking environment? · Customers satisfied with cross channel communications are 4 times more likely to buy 4 or more bank products. · Customers that receive personalized statements are 40% more likely to increase their banking business; 48% more likely to seek more information about bank products; and 41% more likely to change their asset allocation. What is the value of a Document Composition Tool? · Good design equals less customer confusion. · Good design equals a satisfying customer relationship. · Good design allows the fulfillment of legal requirements. · Good design drives revenues. · Good design treats customers as individuals. · Page counts and insert costs reduced 30-50% by better use of document white space. · Development costs reduced 50-80%. · Testing costs reduced up to 50%. · Reduced print costs. · Reduced Call Center activity. What are holding companies back from implementing a Document Composition Tool? · Some composition applications are too complicated for the average business user. · There is a gap between the business user and the IT department. · The IT department is reluctant to give up document design control. A good Document Composition Tool should provide: · Design, Collaboration, and Test facilities. · Marketing campaign management. · Print and archive management. · E-Billing or PDF support. · Tool availability on demand. How should a Document Composition Tool Work? · The tool should be PC based. · The tool needs an easy to use interface. · The tool should have a rich client on the PC but allow web based collaborative access. · The tool should allow collaborative designs. · The tool should allow WYSIWYG testing of both print and electronic outputs. · The tool should allow version control linked to a dynamic workflow. · The tool should have smart test files to test all logic conditions. The next speaker was Tom Lee (pic9), OCE´ Marketing Manager, presenting: “Job Appropriate Color”. The application requirements drive the choice of color delivery technology: · Have a document Color Strategy. · Determine how much color your application will need. · Select the right technology based on whether you need Highlight Color or Full Process Color. Customers today, are concerned with using and paying for only the type of color the application demands. The final speaker was Jeff Marini (pic10), Lasermax Roll Systems presenting: “Do You See What We See? - Enabling a Quality Control Process”. The Lasermax Roll Systems Web Vision Quality Assurance Monitor was introduced at the Lasermax Roll Systems booth at this year’s Xplor/Graphics of the Americas show in Miami Beach. This system is used by the Internal Revenue Service and by the National Security Agency. Using high resolution cameras to scan in-line the full width of digitally printed Bills, Statements, and Documents, Web Vision captures very large, high quality images to enable automated analysis of Image Quality, Data Integrity, and Workflow Processes. Image Quality: · Based on appropriate Test Images, Web Vision analyzes Print Density at all points across the printer web. · Web Vision also tests for Image Smears and localized artifacts such as Specks or Scratches. Data Integrity: · Using Optical Character Recognition, customer statement account identifiers, and sequence numbers can be checked for logical content. · Data, in separate fields, can be checked for self consistency. Workflow Processes: · Web Vision can monitor the alignment of print relative to pre-print and can confirm that the proper pre-printed stock has been selected. · Web Vision can monitor the readability of 2D data matrices and other common symbology to ensure smooth down-stream processing. · Web Vision allows analysis immediately after printing. Problems are identified as soon as possible minimizing both wasted paper and printing time. The Web Vision system consists of a paper handling module to control the paper web, cameras, a PC with monitor, and image capture and analysis software. Automated tests can be stored as templates and can be run without operator adjustments. The print operator can view the entire web, pan and zoom, and freeze the display. The print line is shutdown when certain errors are detected. After the excellent lunch, sponsored by OCE´ and Lasermax Roll Systems, the attendees left to tour the Openfirst facility and track documents through 6 processing stations. At each station, the attendees were given a 15 minute overview on the technologies and workflow processes being used. Due to the pushed back date of the Milwaukee meeting, the Xplor Chicagoland Chapter Board has decided to not hold our May meeting and instead concentrate on our September 15 meeting in Downers Grove, Illinois. For a PDF copy of these notes, click on the icon.

Chicagoland Chapter Events - Review of 4/07/06 Meeting