The blog aims to share how Business Continuity Management or BCM can be implemented and integrated specifically for printing companies. Because the roles and functions of printers vary by region and country, the core mission of printers remains largely unchanged except for which part of the printing process they focus on. To provide context for this blog, a printing company in Singapore is used. It is useful to let printing industry readers know that there is a published international ISO BCM standard. The start of every BCM implementation based on the ISO 22301 BCMS standard starts with 'Understanding your organization'. Here we provide insight into “Printing Companies” in Singapore and the functionality within the individual printing companies. Despite the digitalization of work, it is a fact for almost every company that paperwork is needed to keep things running. Therefore, wWhether it concerns order forms, receipt forms, brochures, advertisem*nts or stationery, a company that provides printing services can help you. Because each customer's demand for printing services and products will be different and have unique needs, a professional printing company will work with each customer on an individual basis to design and produce materials that meet their specific requirements and budget. Another area where printers' expertise can make a big difference is graphic design. This includes layouts for flyers and other advertisem*nts, creating logos or brand development. It's even possible for printers to go "out of the box" and deliver everything from custom drinks to T-shirts, staff name tags and promotional items such as magnets, lanyards and postcards. The printing industry includes companies primarily engaged in printing text and images on paper, metal, glass, and certain clothing and other materials. Printing can be divided into three different phases:
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What is a printing company?
Stages of printing
- Prepress
Prepare editorial and advertising materials
Build page layout
Make movies and records (or just records)
- Press or Output
“Get ready” the press
"Color ready" or "come color"
Get ready or give permission to print
Print
- Reprint or finishing
- Fold, bind and cut printed sheets into their final shape
- Bind accordingly (e.g. perfectly stitched and perfectly bound)
Prepare finished pieces for retail sale
Package for final distribution by mail and/or individual sale
Companies that provide all three services first prepare the material for printing in the prepress department, then produce the pages on the pressroom floor and cut, bind or otherwise prepare the material for distribution in the postpress department.
Increasingly, printers are also offering database management, mailing or distribution services to meet customer needs.
A wide range of products are produced in the printing industry. In addition to magazines, books and some small newspapers, other examples of printed products include direct mail, labels, manuals and marketing materials. Less obvious printed items include memo pads, business order forms, checks, cards, T-shirts and packaging. The sector also includes companies that provide high-speed document printing to consumers or support services such as prepress, embossing, binding, finishing and shipping.
Example of organizational structure for a printing company
This is an example of an organization chart for a printing company. When implementing business continuity, it is important to consider not only the primary printing process (production), but also the rest of the functions such as finance, human resources, sales and marketing.
In addition to the project manager (orOrganizations BCM Coordinator), the number of participants for a typical project begins with the appointment of aBusiness Unit (BU) BCM-koordinatorof each business unit. This can be estimated based on an example of an organizational structure as shown above
Reader"Business Continuity Management: What is my role?" can help you understand the BCM roles in a printing company implementing BCM.
Business functions (Product and Service) for printing companies
In the context of business continuity management: the clear understanding of the business functions, such as the printing operations and the mandatory 'services' or 'products' for specific customers.
Because the printer will be different and have unique needs, a professional printer will work with each printer on an individual basis to design and produce materials that meet their specific requirements and budget. The final cost can often be less than what one would pay to produce these goods in-house. These are some of the common printing services.
[1] Digital printing
In digital printing, printers are used to reproduce digital images on the physical surface such as paper, film, fabric, plastic, etc. The printers in common use today are inkjet and laser printers.
[2] Flexografie
This type of printing is often used for packaging. The surface of the printing plate is covered with ink and the printing surface will rotate. This makes contact with the printing material that transfers the ink.
[3] Letterpress printing
The text is printed with loose letters. The raised surface of the font is inked and this is pressed against a smooth fabric to produce a reverse image. They are used for printing books, stationery, posters, newspapers and business cards.
[4] Offset printing
It is a commercial printing process used for desktop publishing on paper. They are also used in sheet-fed and web offset presses.
[5] Screen printing
This type of printing is used on hats, ceramics, polyethylene, polypropylene, glass, T-shirts, paper, metals and wood.
[6] Scanner/copier
In some offices, a printer replaces a scanner and copier. Scanners can capture an image of a printed page, both text and graphics, and convert it into digital format.
A copier makes a reproduction of text and images and prints the results. Just like with printing, you are curious how quickly the multifunctional printer produces copies and scans. Because you want accurate scans and photocopies, the resolution of the scan or photocopy must be high so that the copy resembles the original.
Identification of business functions
The business functions highlighted so far are mainly customer-facing, and the appointed BCM team should not forget to include the business functions necessary for the operation of the printing plants. These include human resources, finance, administration, sales and marketing
Crisis and disaster
Another consideration to better understand the organization is to identify the types of events that could disrupt the printing company's ability to continue its roles and responsibilities. Read "" for a better understanding of the terminology.
Crisis at printing companies
A crisis can arise at any time within a printing company. A crisis is a critical event that can affect an organization's reputation or assets. However, it does not deny access to facilities and infrastructure. Crisis related to printing companies can include:
- Competition between other printers
- Lack of papers
- Lack of ink/toner
- Machinefout
- Reduce use of paper-based materials
Printing disasters
Just like crises, disasters can hinder an organization. However, during such events, access to facilities and infrastructure is denied.
Disasters associated with printing companies can include:
- Branden
- Floods or other severe weather conditions
- Terrorist attack
- Loss of information technology services
- Pandemic flu or infectious diseases
- Denial of access or damage to facilities.
If you find dealing with crises and disasters confusing, this article is "What is crisis management versus business continuity management? Often confused" can help you understand the concept better.
BCM-planningsmethodologie
The next blog will give you "Planning steps for implementing BCM for printing“You get a good overview of the steps that need to be taken and finally what competence you need to have with financing from the Singaporean government.
References
(What are the different stages of print production?, 2013)
(Preprint)
(What can a printing company do for a small business?)
How do I become BCM competent and where do I start?
If you are a Singapore-based company or a Singaporean permanent resident, you can choose to receive training through:
- Singapore Human Resources Skills Qualifications (WSQ)Course code: BCM-310; 320; 330]
- CITREP+Critical Infocomm Technology Resource Program PLUS (CITREP+)
