Ananth Bala

Solutions Analyst responsible for analysis and development of solutions and business process for production-IT. Participated in the entire lifecycle of projects related to initial concept, business requirement development, gap analysis, operation design and testing process. Engaged with system integrators, business and project managers, outsource developers and key stakeholders to understand business needs, brainstorm/visualize new ideas, implement process changes, document procedures and assist with production issues.

·Managed production systems consolidation and migration with end goal of reducing production workflow footprint by 40% and increasing efficiency by identifying synergies within the enterprise and serving as subject matter expert for the business.

·Increased full-color production volume by 40% by analyzing processes and revamping production workflow along with adding automation capability for incoming orders (via web2print).

·Enhanced personal check product offerings and process efficiency by advising system modifications and feature change during platform redesign, migration to all digital process and use web-based output files management.

·Assist with troubleshooting and analysis of issues relating to workflow and processes within Production-IT, device verification tools and fail-safe mechanisms with order flow to reduce customer complaints and increase uptime.

·Developed training modules and standard operating procedures for processes and systems using collaborative technologies in order to effectively transition systems support reducing group’s support responsibilities.

·Facilitated the collaboration between business and development teams with enhancement features, workflow changes and on-going support for enterprise composition/imposition platform

·Streamlined production codebase by establishing a version control infrastructure, documenting various workflow processes and playing an active role in transforming development lifecycle.

·Translated business requirements into technical specifications for an end-to-end solution migration from physical hardware to virtualized platform.

·Researched software solutions for enterprise common imposition by eliciting business needs, capabilities, review vendor quotes and pricing, SWOT analysis, solution matrix and presented findings to senior management.

·Developed a workflow proposal for printing custom checks using digital printing platform including start-up costs, order volume forecasting and revenue projections.

Principal Printing engineer for Digital Systems group, responsible for Enterprise Digital Printing Platform across multiple production locations providing end-to-end solutions advice. Interact with marketing/sales, manufacturing operations, external vendors and consultants to capture business needs, review key initiatives and research potential solutions for the enterprise. Actively participated in industry seminars, user group meetings to review new technologies and engaged with internal partners to determine solution feasibility.

·Played a key role in putting to practice a dynamic variable data print Shared Services architecture for the enterprise with a reported in increase in profit

·Assist with design and development of workflow process for 1:1 marketing of holiday greeting cards using Digital technology and using mailing services.

·Increased operation efficiency and processing by facilitating implementation of new automation technologies stock barcode configuration, job-ticket automation, load balancing and Push based Output Management.

·Served as technical consultant for development and implementation of web-based application to manage Output files for high volume variable data printing operation.

·Managed successful post-acquisition strategy for Safeguard Business Systems by co-coordinating integration of manufacturing operations, IT infrastructure and enhancing production capabilities.

·Reduced waste and simplified processing of full-color orders by analyzing value-stream for the entire process and assist with process changes, application automation along with verification prior to shipping.

·Collaborated with various business units in the design and development of workflow for personalized mailing labels using variable data printing, digital printing and address verification.

·Designed a proof-to-print (color managed) process workflow for Composition/Design departments using EPSON wide-format Inkjet, EFI Colorproof solution which resulted into 90% production print accuracy and reducing waste.

Course work in Business management, Operations and Technology.

Master's in Graphic Arts Systems

@ member of Color Imaging lab

@ published 'pulp to pixes" publication

B.S in Applied Printing Technology.

Focus on: Premedia, Print imaging Hardware, Security Printing

@ Internship at Manipal Security Press

@ Internship at Times on India Newpaper production division