As manufacturers head into 2026, operational readiness isn’t just about automation, robotics, or ERP upgrades — it’s about how information moves across the plant floor. Work orders, quality checks, safety documents, maintenance logs, and compliance records all drive daily production. When these communications are slow or disconnected, productivity stalls.  

The manufacturers that will win in 2026 are treating print and communication workflows as productivity infrastructure — not background utilities.

The Hidden Productivity Killer: Fragmented Print & Communication

In many plants, information breakdowns look like: 

• Operators waiting on printed work instructions 
  
• QA teams chasing paper checklists 
  
• Maintenance logs stored inconsistently 
  
• Compliance documentation scattered across systems 
  
• IT firefighting printer downtime instead of optimizing operations

These inefficiencies don’t show up as line items — but they compound into lost throughput, rework, downtime, and compliance risk. 

Why Print Still Matters in Modern Manufacturing

Despite digital transformation, print remains critical because it’s: 

• Immediate — no login, no screen lag, no battery issues 
  
• Durable — usable in harsh, industrial environments 
  
• Auditable — essential for traceability and compliance  
  
• Universal — accessible across shifts, roles, and skill levels

The issue isn’t print itself — it’s unmanaged print. 

5 Workflow Improvements Driving 2026-Ready Plants

1. Centralized, Standardized Output 

Ensure work orders, SOPs, labels, and reports are: 

Consistent across locations 
Automatically routed to the right device  
Updated in real time

Result: Fewer errors, faster changeovers, less rework.

2. Print Reliability as an Operations Metric  

Printer downtime shouldn’t disrupt production.  

• Predictive service models 
  
• Proactive supply replenishment 
  
• Redundant output strategies

Result: No line stoppages due to “printer issues.”

3. Secure, Role-Based Access 

Manufacturing environments demand: 

• Controlled access to sensitive documentation 
  
• Secure release for production and HR materials 
  
• Clear audit trails for compliance

Result: Reduced risk without slowing down the floor. 

4. Integrated Digital + Physical Workflows 

The most productive plants don’t choose digital or print — they connect them. 

• Scan-to-process workflows 
  
• Automated document routing 
  
• Digital archiving tied to physical outputs

Result: Faster approvals, cleaner audits, less manual handling. 

5. IT Simplification, Not More Platforms  

Plants are already overloaded with systems. 

• Consolidated device fleets 
  
• Unified service and support 
  
• Fewer vendors, clearer accountability

Result: IT focuses on strategy — not ticket volume. 

What 2026-Ready Manufacturers Are Doing Differently

They aren’t chasing shiny tools. 

They’re fixing friction. 

They ask: 

• Where does information slow production? 
  
• Where do small delays create big losses? 
  
• Where does downtime hide in plain sight?

Then they design workflows that support operators, protect uptime, and scale across facilities. 

Ready to see where productivity is leaking on your plant floor?

Let’s assess how your print and communication workflows impact uptime, labor efficiency, and compliance — and identify fast, practical improvements before 2026 hits. Schedule a Workflow Assessment Today!