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Make Data Useful

Make Data Useful - The Print University

Make Data Useful

Podcast: The Print University Hosts: Ryan McAbee & Pat McGrew Special Guest: Vishal Sahay, SpencerMetrics

Data is everywhere in today’s printing industry, but collecting information and turning it into actionable business intelligence are two different challenges. In this episode of The Print University, Ryan McAbee and Pat McGrew welcome Vishal Sahay of SpencerMetrics to explore how print service providers can leverage real-time production data to improve equipment utilization, workforce productivity, and operational profitability.

For commercial printers, in-plant operations, wide format producers, and digital and offset print environments, effective print production data analytics begins with three essential pillars: machines, labor, and jobs. Sahay explains why understanding these interconnected metrics is critical for identifying production bottlenecks, reducing downtime, improving job costing, and making informed capital investment decisions.

The discussion highlights how SpencerMetrics integrates data from multi-vendor printing equipment, including legacy analog presses and modern digital production systems. Technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors, machine interfaces, OPC UA, JDF, and JMF enable automated data collection and more comprehensive production monitoring.

One particularly valuable takeaway involves the role of real-time production dashboards. Comparing expected versus actual machine speeds can uncover unexpected performance gaps, operator training opportunities, and underutilized equipment. Instead of relying on assumptions or manually generated reports, print operations managers can identify root causes and implement measurable improvements.

The episode also emphasizes starting small. Rather than attempting to analyze every available metric, printers should evaluate existing data quality, establish meaningful production KPIs, and prioritize their most pressing operational challenges.

For organizations implementing printing industry training programs, production workflow optimization, or lean manufacturing initiatives, this episode provides a practical foundation for building a data-driven print manufacturing culture that supports continuous improvement and stronger financial performance.

You Will Learn:

  • How to evaluate existing print production data for accuracy, reliability, and business relevance.

  • Why machine performance, labor utilization, and job tracking are the three essential pillars of production analytics.

  • How SpencerMetrics supports multi-vendor equipment monitoring across digital, offset, wide format, and analog production environments.

  • How IIoT sensors, OPC UA, JDF, and JMF enable automated print shop data collection.

  • How real-time production dashboards reveal equipment downtime, speed discrepancies, and operator training needs.

  • How to develop actionable production KPIs that support improved job costing, operational efficiency, and profitability.

Who This Course is For:

  • Print business owners and executives seeking data-driven decision-making and improved return on equipment investments.

  • Production managers and supervisors responsible for equipment utilization, downtime reduction, and workflow optimization.

  • Digital, offset, wide format, and in-plant printing professionals managing mixed-vendor production environments.

  • Operations and continuous improvement teams implementing lean manufacturing training in the printing industry.

  • Training managers and onboarding coordinators developing printing industry training programs for new employees or outsourced training for print production staff.

  • Print technology and workflow specialists supporting automated data collection, production monitoring, and MIS software training for print production.

Time to Watch:

– Approximately 15 minutes

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