Advantages of Joint Ventures in the Digital Workflow

The expansion of the Digital Workflow within the Print Industry continues to have a profound effect on its printers. Challenges, especially for the smaller companies, arise most pointedly in finding the resources to provide the content to their customers in ways differing from traditional print.

Content Aggregation (CA) is the accepting the file(s), from one or multiple sources, manipulating them to enable output in a variety of ways, and, if required, storing them securely for retrieval at a later date. Because this requires detailed & evolving software knowledge and new technology, it takes time, talent, and funding, all of which may not be available to the average printer.

One solution that is beginning to emerge is the creation of a Joint Venture. What one company doesn't have, another may. By combining forces, talent, technology, and capacity can be assembled in a timely manner that is affordable & cost effective.

For example, one organization may be growing rapidly & have a great customer base, but not have the funding needed. Another may have the IT & Pre-Press talent with a strong software base, but not the production capacity. Yet another might have a strong distribution base capable of various delivery methods, but lack the others.

By getting together they can reasonably quickly put together a program that is affordable to each, gives the customers what they want, and is actually profitable.

The downside is that there can be a risk involved to, what is often, get involved with your competitors. Keeping an open mind, and perhaps choosing partners who are only peripherally competitive, will help. And if you documenting carefully & secure sound legal advice, there may be a very nice upside.