Print buyers are coming under increasing pressure from senior management to ensure that all parts of the supply chain are as environmentally friendly as possible. It is imperative that buyers, managers and suppliers alike don’t focus their thoughts solely on manufacturing but take the supply chain and internal processes into consideration. This is why many print buyers and suppliers are adopting software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications such as Claritum.
Claritum’s on-demand software is proven to deliver significant, measurable and sustainable cost reductions and efficiencies to corporate and not-for-profit purchasing, business process outsourcers, print management and print groups and their suppliers.
The browser based application helps to streamline the complex processes involved in procuring, managing and paying for a broad range of printed materials.
Automating this process frees up buyers from administration (between 40% - 80% time savings) enabling them to focus on green issues and adding value to their business.
Automisation will also help to reduce paper requirements through auto-generation of RFQ’s, order conformations, purchase involves, sales invoices, delivery notes and box labels and eliminate errors, obsolescence and wastage due to fewer re-keying errors. A reduction in paper requirements not only reduces costs for buyers and suppliers alike it also helps reduce carbon emissions.
Improving specification processes can help eliminate the need for excessive print runs; optimisation of stock levels, predicting re-order levels and help reduce delivery costs.
Research by Gartner outlines the fact that the IT industry now accounts for about 2 percent of global CO. 2 emissions, almost equal that of aviation. Adopting a SaaS application such as Claritum means there is no additional hardware or software reducing the pressure on corporate infrastructure and helping to maintain chemical and mineral resources.
SaaS also supports distributed workforces and supply chains, as the application can be accessed from any browser, employees have the option of working from home and commuting to and from work or between corporate locations can be reduced.
Streamlining the supply chain enables organisations to manage suppliers, in different locations more effectively, cutting transportation, and subsequently carbon emissions. It can also help buyers to decide whether to “print and distribute” or “distribute and print” which is fast becoming and important concept.
At a time where environmental issues are firmly at the forefront of the print industry’s thoughts, Claritum’s efficiency savings will go some way to help reduce the carbon footprint throughout the print supply chain.
