by Cassandra Balentine
Part Two of Three
Web to print (W2P) bring many advantages to a variety of print environments. Depending on the focus of the provider, certain features and functions are more essential. In part one of this web series we discusses the benefits W2P tools bring to business to consumer focused print environments, this week we take a look at the best features of W2P for business to business environments.
B2B Benefits
While the objective is often the same for B2B and B2C, the markets for business-facing print providers generally differs from that of consumer facing print environments. Therefore, W2P considerations should reflect the varied needs.
The biggest benefit of W2P for B2B is direct to selected target efforts, adds Michel Lacaille. VP marketing, Mediaclip.ca.
The capabilities to fine tune the product(s) portfolio and catalog pricing to reflect a specific marketplace are important to B2B environments, according to Lacaille.
Aaron Tavakoli, senior product marketing manager, MarketDirect, eProductivity Software, says streamlined order-to-production productivity is an excellent B2B feature. “Client relationships depend on the ability to service customers at the best price, and offer 24/7 service. To do that you need W2P tools that are easy to configure and use.”
Personalized sites that are integrated into the buyers own brand and look and feel are also in demand, along with security integration that enables them to leverage single sign-on technology to manage access and security, says Tavakoli.
Access to powerful tools to enable customers different levels of access, approval, control over budget and cost centers are also important, says Tavakoli, “ensuring that organizations can give their teams the autonomy they need to procure their own print/marketing solutions but also maintain the control over costs.”
Implementing B2B storefronts not only benefits the print providers by simplifying how they receive orders, but Vikash Bardia, CEO, Infomaze Elite Pvt. Ltd., feels this also benefits customers significantly. “They can focus on their core business rather than worrying about their orders.”
Bardia says features like personalizing the site to the customer enables users to create a custom catalogue where products are branded with specifications and proofs catering to the customer’s requirements. “The B2B site is personalized and allows only authorized users to access the site.”
Budget management tools are also implemented. Based on the customer’s requirement a limit can be placed on how much is spent on the B2B site. This limit can be placed either on the B2B site, a specific department, or a specific user, with options to set a frequency to refresh this limit. “Customers can breathe easy and not worry about overspending,” says Bardia.
Bardia admits this function benefits the customers more than print providers. “However, a happy customer is a loyal customer.”
W2P approval systems are a helpful to B2B solutions. “Enabling approval rights to the Customer allows them to internally check the orders placed by all users of the B2B site and confirm the final list that should be fulfilled. This benefits the customer as they can reject wasteful orders or prevent over-ordering or duplicate orders from different users,” says Bardia. “This also saves print providers time, they need not spend time double-checking with the customers, as this has been checked and confirmed by the customer.”
Reporting is continuously essential. “This benefits both the customers and the print providers. When the customer needs any reports this should be downloaded from the system and shared with the customer. This is eliminated by permitting the customer to view certain reports on the B2B site. Customers can self-service themselves by viewing or downloading the reports when needed, saving everybody’s time,” says Bardia.
David Graves, CEO, Aleyant, says the ability to provide a secure environment for branded material for your large customers is also imperative. “These customers need the ability to have brand control/integrity. They also need the ability to have up to date information on orders, inventory and usage. Some large companies need approval workflows as well as controlling budgets.”
“B2B print businesses are using W2P platforms to win larger customers, create stronger relationships with their customers, streamline and automate operations, and diversify their revenue,” shares Austin Wyman, marketing director, Propago. “Most importantly, printers can use W2P in the B2B space to shift away from positioning themselves solely as print providers to undertaking a more comprehensive role in the supply chain for marketers. This enables printers to market themselves as innovative solution providers and establish lasting partnerships with some of the biggest brands and enterprise clients.”
In B2B print environments, Naimish Patel, VP of sales, OnPrintShop, says W2P solutions offer significant benefits such as streamlined procurement processes, centralized order management, and greater control over branding and compliance. “These platforms enable corporate clients to manage their print needs efficiently, with features like bulk ordering, automated reordering, and budget controls. This results in cost savings, improved consistency across orders, and stronger client relationships.”
Clive Buckley, product and portfolio manager, Software Solutions & Services, Ricoh North America, claims that with an effective W2P software, B2B print environments can effortlessly handle corporate clients, stores, and services from a centralized platform. Customization options allow to tailor the experience to each client’s needs, including assembled setups, ease of use, smart quote management, permission-centric buying, as well as financial and production reporting.
Dmitry Sevostyanov, CEO, Customer’s Canvas, points out that B2B is the traditional area of operation for most print providers, and they have well-established processes. “Implementing W2P in B2B environments enhances these existing processes by making them more efficient. W2P solutions streamline order management, reduce errors, and improve workflow automation, leading to increased operational efficiency.”
This technology also supports customer retention by providing a consistent and user-friendly experience. “B2B clients benefit from easier reordering and customization, which are often necessary for repeat orders. Additionally, W2P systems can improve communication and transparency, ensuring that client expectations are met and satisfaction is maintained. By enhancing proven processes, W2P helps B2B printers offer better service, remain competitive, and strengthen client relationships,” explains Sevostyanov.
Buckley points out that W2P brings cost savings to B2B environments. “W2P streamlines order processing, reduces manual labor, and minimizes errors. This efficiency translates to cost savings for print businesses.”
For a deeper look at W2P in B2C check out part one of this series, Streamlining B2C with W2P.
Nov2024, DPS Magazine
