Mailing Systems Technology - February 2008 - (Page 15)

start with one machine, one department or one production process. An ADF is generally deﬁned as a strategy for processing high-volume documents using factory production techniques. Characteristics of a classic ADF include minimal manual intervention and the aim to bring about lower costs, higher quality, greater control, advanced levels of automation, increased visibility into processes and greater analysis across all processes that are independent of equipment vendors. Integral to the broader concept are complete mailpiece tracking, integrated data quality and integrity checks and real-time performance auditing and reporting. Revitalized Demand for ADF The potential for savings and efﬁciencies is commanding new interest in ADFs. More and more companies now see an ADF as a logical, disciplined approach to reducing document processing expenses, improving their overall production operations and communication abilities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Today, document processing technology has developed to a point where a truly integrated ADF can be achieved. Early solutions lacked the infrastructure and ﬂexibility to support the mix of various systems at work in typical printing and mailing operations. Siloed solutions prevented the dream of an ADF from becoming a reality. But the arrival of more open and ﬂexible standards-based systems designed to work across proprietary brands and protocols has given new life to the vision of “factory-like” printing and mailing efﬁciency. The diminishing price tag of ADF equipment and solutions is another compelling reason for organizations to reassess the practicality of this strategy. Once an all-ornothing proposition that required a multimillion-dollar investment, ADF systems now use hardware and software that has been designed to be modular and ﬂexible and bring expanded capabilities and new life to existing hardware and systems. This approach helps keep pricing in line with expectations and helps create a greater number and variety of right-sized solutions. The resulting affordability and ﬂexibility bring an ADF within the reach of organizations that previously could not afford the enterprise-sized investment. As is often the case with the development of innovative strategies, the idea of an ADF preceded the practical ability to capitalize on its conceptual beneﬁts. As the pressures of cost containment and regulatory compliance converge with more affordable advancements in ADF technology, organizations that may have rejected the concept might now beneﬁt from reassessing an ADF model. Key beneﬁts to consider include: • Automated processing efﬁciencies reduce operating costs ➝ WWW.MAILINGSYSTEMSTECHNOLOGY.COM | FEBRUARY 2008 15 http://www.MailingSystemsTechnology.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Mailing Systems Technology - February 2008

Mailing Systems Technology - February 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Peer to Peer How to Green Your Mail Center Adopting an Automated Document Factory Warning! Avoid Negative Financial Impact More Productivity, Less Expense BCC Software Formscan A Smooth Transition Kate’s Slate Products & Services Advertiser Index Sho Time

Mailing Systems Technology - February 2008

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