Ecclesiastcial is the 11th largest commercial property insurer – with over 900 employees and seven offices located in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In 2006 we were lucky enough to be chosen to supply Ecclesiastical with a web ordering system so that staff could order business cards from their desktops. The business cards are printed digitally in small quantities within 24 hours of receipt of order. Feedback indicates that this has been a big success and has made life easier for staff. It has also alleviated the previous problem of wastage - Ecclesiastical used to print their business cards lithographically in larger quantities, name and job title/phone number changes meant that cards frequently went out of date and had to be wasted - the large print run nature of litho meant that there was significant waste and thus expense.
Employees are given a secure username and password and can access the site from where ever they are – their login dictates which artwork they see – they can then choose the appropriate template – fill their details in and get a pdf proof there and then of their personalised business card – they can then enter cost centre/budget codes and place their order.
We have since added other products to the print ordering system such as invites. Other benefits of the technology include version control, dynamic on line pricing, online ordering of both variable data products and stock and inventory control. The system also has a full management reporting facility.
Marketing case study
A large brewery has 150 pubs located around the UK – it gives each one of its landlords a secure login to the print ordering system. Landlords can then go in and select promotional posters i.e. a summer promotion – they can then fill in the time and dates of the promotion and completely personalise the poster and preview their finished work online.
They can then place their order for as many posters as they want – even small quantities.
Benefits are
- Keeping complete control of corporate branding and artwork
- Traceability
- Fast turnaround
- the ability to personalise the posters
- The ability to order even the smallest quantities.
This is just one example of how Electric Ink is using print technology to help its customers.
In this example we have used business cards but as a customer you are able to
use the front end for many different printed applications of your choosing e.g. marketing literature, invites, manuals and other company projects.
Ecclesiastical have been running the system for nearly a year and it has benefited them in:
- Completely streamlining their print ordering system, making life very much easier for all of those ordering print.
- Large cost savings due to less wastage, the ability to order smaller quantities, speed of delivery and the ability to get their products to market faster.
- No hard copy proofs needed. Brand control and uniformity of company message.
- Strong reinforcement of environmental policy.
- Clear traceability and accountability.
- Management reports and visibility of cost code expenditure.
- Complete control of company artwork and branding – only official artwork can be uploaded.
‘Many thanks for your swift and perfect service!’
‘Thank you for all you have done for us, especially arranging the special delivery.’
‘Thanks a million for all your hard work yesterday, it was hugely appreciated – another gold star for Electric Ink!!!’
‘Manuals received today, thank you for your prompt and efficient service. I have added you to my favourites list.’
‘Thank you for your excellent service. Nothing was too much trouble in getting the work just right and ensuring that I saw proofs at each stage. I look forward to using your company again.’
‘Really happy with the job, so just wanted to thank you for a job well done! Really pleased, feel I can breathe again.’
‘The cards arrived today and are fantastic – thanks for all your help with these. We’ll definitely be putting some more wedding print work your way later in the year!’