The real shift isn't about whether we print, but how we support the environments where printing still matters. The world print market was estimated at $910.8-billion in 2023 and is expected to expand at +1.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach $988.6-billion in 2028. 

Production print remains vital across numerous sectors. Healthcare systems rely on it for patient records and pharmaceutical labelling. Financial institutions depend on secure document production for compliance. Educational publishers continue to produce textbooks and examination materials.
 
The threat facing print providers does not arise from a lack of demand, but instead from an inability to adapt and evolve to provide value to our clients. Production print service must evolve from its reactive roots to become a proactive, strategic function. This means embracing predictive technologies, empowering customers through remote capabilities, aligning with sustainability imperatives and investing in people who can deliver consultative value. The providers who make this transition will find themselves not competing on price but partnering on value. They'll move from being cost centres to becoming strategic enablers.
 
The traditional service model in production print has long been defined by its limitations. Service teams wait for breakdowns, then scramble to fix them. Technicians travel miles to resolve issues that could be diagnosed remotely. Parts inventories sit gathering dust while critical components remain unavailable when needed. Yet many service providers still operate as if speed of response, rather than prevention of problems, defines excellence.

Modern production print equipment generates vast amounts of operational data, yet much of it goes unused. Forward-thinking service providers are harnessing this data through AI and machine learning to predict failures before they occur. When implemented effectively, predictive maintenance can reduce unplanned downtime by up to 35%, according to a 2023 study by Polaris Market Research.

Because of this, the predictive maintenance market is growing exponentially. According to Polaris, the global predictive maintenance market size was valued at USD8.05-billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow from USD10.89-billion in 2024 to USD122.80-billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 35.4%.
 
At Altron Document Solutions, we're already seeing the tangible value of focusing on preventative services. By utilising a Remote Connect product from one of our partners, we've enabled remote diagnostics, automated fault alerts, and just-in-time supply management. The outcome is a 22% reduction in Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), 31% faster response times, and over 65% of issues resolved remotely.
 
Remote service capabilities represent another fundamental shift. The days of dispatching technicians for every error code should be behind us. Advanced remote support platforms now enable real-time diagnostics, guided operator interventions and immediate issue resolution, dramatically reducing both service costs and machine downtime. Augmented reality tools take this further by empowering operators to perform routine maintenance and minor repairs with expert guidance delivered through smart devices. This shift from dependency to empowerment fundamentally changes the customer relationship. 
 
The benefits of this transformation are compelling with investment in predictive maintenance initiatives generating a tangible return on investment (ROI). For instance, predictive maintenance users reported metrics such as 2-6%?increased availability, 5% to 10%?inventory cost reduction and?10-40% reduction in reactive maintenance. The US Department of Energy estimates 2% to 18% cost savings, and a 35% to 45% reduction in downtime over reactive maintenance programmes. 
 
There is also an environmental benefit associated with intelligent service models. Unnecessary service visits generate transport emissions, premature parts replacement creates waste and inefficient maintenance schedules shorten equipment lifespans. Progressive service models address these challenges through circular economy principles. Predictive maintenance extends equipment life cycles. Remote service eliminates thousands of unnecessary vehicle miles.
 
The parts rework programme at Altron Document Solutions, which focuses on repairing and reusing used components, has led to a reduction in component waste by up to 44% in key areas. By aligning with circular economy principles, we're helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals without sacrificing performance.
 
Even the most cutting-edge technologies need skilled, confident people behind them. A technician equipped with the right insights, support and purpose can truly elevate the customer experience. This transformation demands significant investment in continuous professional development, with industry leaders dedicating thousands of hours annually to upskilling their workforce. According to research conducted by WifiTalents, 54% of printing companies report a skills gap in digital printing technologies, and 62% of printing companies have increased investment in employee training programs over the past two years.
 
The takeaway for the entire production print industry is straightforward: it's time to stop viewing ourselves as simply vendors and start acting as business enablers. The key to success isn't just about having faster machines or lower costs. It's about empowering our customers with proactive, smart and strategic service models, all provided by people who truly grasp their business challenges.
 
The market will increasingly reward providers who demonstrate that intelligent service directly impacts customer success. Those who cling to reactive models will find themselves competing in an ever-shrinking pool of price-sensitive transactions. The future belongs to those who recognise that in production print, as in any technology-intensive industry, service excellence isn't about fixing problems faster. It's about strategically enabling the likelihood that they ever occur in the first place.

For more information, visit www.documentsolutions.altron.com. You can also follow Altron Document Solutions on Facebook, or on LinkedIn.

*Image courtesy of contributor