PCI Group Grows with Canon Inkjet
On the verge of doubling capacity in a new building anchored by Canon ColorStream 8160 and varioPRINT iX presses, leaders at transactional communications provider PCI Group evaluate its decades-long relationship with Canon. See why they consider Canon “the only true service partner” with a sustained commitment to the transactional marketplace.
Driving Growth in Secure Transactional Mail: How Canon U.S.A. Powers PCI Group’s Operations
In the fast-paced world of critical communications, precision, speed, and reliability are absolute requirements. For organizations managing sensitive financial, healthcare, and insurance documents, there is zero margin for error. This high-pressure environment is the operational reality for PCI Group, an industry-leading transactional mail provider whose corporate DNA is built entirely on security integrity. As a dedicated technology provider, Canon delivers the innovative printing solutions and robust support necessary for PCI Group to fulfill its ambitious mission: to be the most secure, compliant, and accurate transactional communication provider in the industry.
The Challenge: Managing Explosive Growth and Uncompromising SLAs
PCI Group’s journey from a highly compliant data entry operation in New York to a premier transactional mail powerhouse in Fort Mills, South Carolina, is a testament to their operational excellence. However, scaling physical print operations in a heavily regulated environment presents significant logistical and technical challenges. Maintaining strict compliance across demanding regulatory frameworks—including SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, and HITRUST—requires impeccable workflow controls and zero defects.
The defining test of PCI Group's operational capacity arrived during a major partnership expansion with Shutterfly, which involved onboarding the nation's largest healthcare provider. This milestone required a massive technological and operational leap. PCI Group needed to transition from legacy roll-to-fold processes to complex, multi-page applications utilizing full-color, roll-to-roll inkjet technology. Consequently, their production volume skyrocketed, surging from 10 million pieces of mail per month to a staggering 35 million pieces in just three months. Navigating this jump while maintaining strict 24-hour Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for many of their clients meant PCI Group required print production technology that could support dependability under immense pressure.
The Solution: A Comprehensive Fleet and Workflow Implementation
To help solve the complex challenges of rapid scaling and rigorous daily deadlines, PCI Group turned to Canon to establish a highly resilient print infrastructure. Emphasizing the value of this strategic collaboration, PCI Group Print Manager Eric Weinbrenner said, "We are a Canon shop…. having equipment that is dependable is why we partnered with them.”
Canon equipped PCI Group with a versatile, high-volume fleet of production presses across their facilities to ensure uninterrupted output. Their current operational lineup includes a mix of advanced inkjet systems, such as two ColorStream 3900 presses, two ColorStream 6900 presses, a varioPRINT i300, and a varioPRINT 6000 TITAN. In their Dallas plant, the fleet expanded further to include three ColorStream 6900s, an advanced ColorStream 8160, and an additional TITAN press.
At the core of this hardware ecosystem is Canon's PRISMA workflow software, which acts as the central nervous system for their entire print operation. Weinbrenner explains, "PRISMA workflow is the key to our whole operation. If it isn't on PRISMA, it's kind of out of sight".
The Benefits: Speed, Reliability, and Seamless Expansion
By implementing Canon's end-to-end production solutions, PCI Group has realized numerous operational benefits that directly support their impressive growth rate, which advances at a 10 percent clip every year.
Unmatched Press Reliability and Speed: The implementation of the Canon ColorStream 8160 has been a game-changer for high-volume demands. The new equipment successfully delivered on the promise of bringing more reliability and quality to the production floor. Key engineering features, such as increased printing speeds, and the ability to upgrade in the future, provide the essential operational performance required to meet tight turnarounds.
Complete Workflow Visibility: Through the PRISMA software, PCI Group maintains total oversight of every document processed. The system provides a complete history of each file, instantly flags any structural issues, and tracks exactly who printed it and when. This level of forensic tracking is vital for maintaining their rigorous healthcare and financial compliance standards.
Unwavering 24/7 Support: Operating in a high-stakes environment requires a service provider that is always available. “Canon is the only one that I'm aware of that offers 24/7 coverage on the presses,” Weinbrenner said. Canon's technical teams are deeply integrated into their operations, ensuring that if a technical problem arises, the team won’t quit until a solution is implemented.
Facilitating Future Growth: Currently, PCI Group is managing the growing pains of their ongoing success and expansion. As they execute this transition, they rely on Canon to help deliver machines within specific time frames.
Conclusion: A True Supporter in Transactional Mail
For high-volume, secure communications providers like PCI Group, long-term success requires more than just a hardware vendor; it requires a dedicated technology partner. “Canon is the only real true service partner in the industry,” said Chris Kropac, president of PCI Group. This mutual success underscores Canon's unique commitment to the transactional marketplace, delivering the consistent reliability, serviceability, and continuous innovation necessary to help clients thrive.