InfoTrends has published a ‘Cloud-based Workflow and Infrastructure for Graphic Communications’ research study that shows the rise of cloud computing will “fundamentally transform the workflow market and bring new levels of benefits for print providers” according to Kaspar Roos, director of InfoTrends’ production workflow and custom communications service.
The research focuses on the use of cloud computing in the graphic communications industry and provides recommendations for vendors and print providers looking to develop and implement cloud-based workflow solutions.
“This study demonstrates that vendors and PSPs are getting ready for the cloud,” said Roos. “The findings also show that PSPs are looking for solutions that help them further capitalise on the digital short-run printing opportunity and the emergence of profitable value-added services, such as print fulfilment and cross media marketing.”
The research consists of three main parts. The first part looks at cloud infrastructures and provides insights and recommendations on the current state of the PSP’s IT infrastructure, and the emerging Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) opportunity. The second part focuses on production workflow and shows that there is clear demand not only for customer-facing systems to move to the cloud, but increasingly MIS and workflow management systems. The third research component consists of an evaluation of all key workflow vendors and their cloud strategies.
