TrendWatch Graphic Arts Report indicates that most have litte interest in implementing Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) into their business right now.

With all the attention granted JDF and CIM in the last 12 months, one would expect to see a spike in implementation. Unfortunately, the truth is JDF, and subsequently CIM, is just not happening - at least, not right now. The evidence says that except for Periodical Printers, graphic arts professionals are not focused upon making CIM work for them. By most accounts, the commercial printing industry is in an infrastructure-building phase. The good news is that once that infrastructure is able to support CIM, the industry will then gradually begin adopting it.

NEW YORK (PRWEB) July 20, 2004 -- Over the last 12 to 18 months, Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) has garnered the lions share of editorial coverage and attention. Most would consider it to be the focus of this Springs major industry event, DRUPA. Today, TWGA released a special report which indicates that CIM has yet to be significantly adopted by graphic arts businesses, and especially not prepress houses and commercial printers. Nor do they plan to do so in the near future.

According to the TWGA report, 58% of all respondents noted that CIM is irrelevant to their businesses or they dont know how it relates to them." More specifically, more than three-quarters (77%) of responding prepress shops reported the same sentiments. Of all groups, Periodical Printers have embraced CIM more than any other printing segment, with 23% stating they have incorporated CIM into their production workflows and 20% stating they plan to invest in CIM workflows in the next 12 months.

The report, titled Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Hot Stuff? Or Much Ado About Nothing?" is available for online purchase at the TWGA eStore in PDF format. For more information, please go to the TWGA website (www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com).

TWGA Overview Comment...
At a recent conference, attended by 300 to 400 printers and industry professionals, one of the presenters asked, How many of you have been able to implement JDF in your workflows in some way?" Of the 300--400 in attendance, only one hand went up. Given that JDF is the industry standard that is, and will be for the immediate future, used to facilitate the automated and integrated workflows, this alone indicates problems for CIM vendors. If printers have not yet been able to implement JDF in any way, they are miles away from CIM. The fact is, CIM is a terrific concept, but few printers have yet to really understand or embrace it as a solution.

According to the Report...
READING UP ON CIM: 30% of respondents say they have been reading about/studying" CIM; another 6% have attended some kind of industry event or seminar on CIM;

-- BUSINESS CHALLENGE: Only 2% of respondents see implementing the CIM/Smart Factory concept" as a business challenge;

-- SALES OPPORTUNITY: And only 2% of respondents see helping customers to understand the CIM/Smart Factory concept" as a sales opportunity;

-- RISING INVESTMENT: The percentage of respondents planning to invest in CIM workflows has risen from 2% to 4% over the last six months;

TWGA Prognosis...

Eventually, more and more printers will adopt CIM at some level, even if its just automated prepress workflows or automated press systems. As printers upgrade their equipment, even if its every 20 years, the equipment they purchase will come standard with the automation required for these workflows to happen. At the same time, printers staffing will change, becoming increasingly more digital-savvy and more computer-literate. CIM will happen, but its adoption will be slow, especially when you compare it to the exposure and resources dedicated to it in the last 12 months.

Methodology...
This report is based on TrendWatch GA Printing #18 and TrendWatch GA Printing #19 survey data, as well as proprietary industry research and executive interviews.

Availability...
The TrendWatch Graphic Arts Computer Integrated Manufacturing: Hot Stuff? Or Much Ado About Nothing?" report is available for purchase by visiting the secure TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore online at www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com or by phone at 866-873-6310. The price for the 98-page report is $1295. TrendWatch Graphic Arts eStore customers can download this report in PDF Acrobat format immediately after purchase.

Editor's Note...
Additional information pertaining to each report is available for editorial purposes. Please make inquiries directly to Judie Ryer (646-746-7234 or jryer@reedbusiness.com).

About TrendWatch Graphic Arts...
TrendWatch Graphic Arts specializes in the assessment of trends and changes in graphic communications markets by providing timely and strategic information, hard-hitting market analysis and concise expert opinion. The reports have earned the reputation for containing the most reliable and timely industry intelligence in the graphic arts and graphic design marketplaces. TrendWatch Graphic Arts can be reached on the web (www.trendwatchgraphicarts.com), via email (info@trendwatchgraphicarts.com) or toll-free by phone at 866-873-6310.

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