EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES in the FORMS INDUSTRY
Ray H. Killam, CFSP, CFC - President, Essociates Group, Inc.

Introduction

The forms industry is no stranger to technology and change. Throughout the history of the modern forms industry, technology has had a major impact. Inventions in paper technology included carbonless paper, laser paper, ink jet paper, security paper and more. Improvements in ink, printer technology, manufacturing processes, and pre- and post-processing equipment have created both challenges and opportunities. Distributors and manufacturers have met these challenges with new products, new services, and new distribution systems. Yet, the past decade has seen dramatic changes in the make up of the industry, its participants and its customers.

Forward thinking companies are always looking at new technology for opportunities to reduce cost, improve service and provide new revenues through new products. Most such technologies require significant investment in products, people and training. Some succeed, others fail to achieve their potential and some fail altogether. The challenge is to pick the winners from the losers.

This paper examines some of the emerging technologies that show promise for industry participants, along with links to sources for more detailed information. Certainly, this is not an exhaustive list and other technologies may also emerge. Nonetheless, the technologies discussed herein represent opportunity for distributors and manufacturers.

Finally, we briefly present three possible future scenarios for consideration. Regardless of the future outcome, it will be a period of rapid changes, perhaps even more daunting than the past decade. Keeping up becomes more important - and more difficult. The penalty for being wrong gets more harsh. No one can simply stand still. read more...

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