BLUE

BLUE Lifecycle Management provides the ability to view the entire graphic lifecycle process online, in real time. Processes are created electronically as templates, which can then be re-used, ensuring consistency throughout. A process template may be as simple as an artwork approval cycle or can extend to the management of the creative brief and concepts for approval through to the creation of the print-ready files. The span and detail of the process is fully configurable based on what the organization wants to track and manage electronically.

The SDS Professional Services team works closely with clients to define their business processes and build these into BLUE. Once these are implemented, the client is fully trained to manage the system, make process changes when required and even to build new process templates to expand the system across the organization. BLUE™ is designed so that clients do not need to rely on a vendor or IT resource for ongoing process changes and can continue to make their own process improvements when required.

BLUE is a roles-based system allowing tasks to be assigned and secured based on what is appropriate for each user to do. A personal workspace is available for each user to manage his/her current and upcoming tasks, and a dashboard is available to project managers to monitor the health of their projects.

Key features

  • Quickly and easily initiate simple and complex interdependent workflows
  • Provide real-time visibility into the graphic lifecycle
  • Roles-based, secured environment for project information
  • Task management including delegation, reassignment, out-of-office proxy
  • Automated email notifications to task owners, project managers and other stakeholders
  • Automatic identification of tasks, projects at risk and missed deadlines
  • Ability to quickly reassign work within a team to distribute workload
  • Ability to quickly reforecast a project should a scheduling change be required
  • Integration with other software systems and pending product record systems to leverage metadata and reduce manual data entry

Benefits

  • Reduction in costs associated with gathering and disseminating project status data
  • Reduction in bottlenecks by introducing common workflow processes and more predictability
  • Improved ownership and accountability due to the ability to track group and individual performance
  • Reduction in outside purchase expensing using vendor performance and vendor volume data as a tool to negotiate lower costs
  • Reduction in overall project management and communication costs
  • Reduction in overall time-to-market cycles resulting in faster in-market dates for products and potentially higher sales volumes

To gain maximum benefit from BLUE™ LCM use in conjunction with:
BLUE™ Digital Asset Management
BLUE™ OnLine Proofing
BLUE™ Intelligent Performance Management