Burnt out on this Job

[nuages]

Posted this yesterday in the Two Color section - Just wondering what a reasonable days worth of multi -tasking in this the fourth year of the GFC. My days now could start on two col MO for a four color brochure - run two colors, leave that and start invoice book on 520 Ryobi (six numbering machines, two perfs). Run out the invoice book - go to MBO folder and fold urgent 5000 color brochures. Run 2000 envelopes on GTO. Go back to MO run next two colors. Deliver already bound invoice book to customer on other side of town.
All part of an eight hour day

 

[dlannan701]

I have noticed, when I call tech support and get a remote tech specialist, that many of them were once print operators or field technicians. Someone once suggested going over to the other side - the field tech side. As bad as being an operator can be sometimes, can you imagine having to deal with a bunch of impatient operators (like us) who cannot understand why it is taking so long to get the machine fixed? Or wondering why you have them back out AGAIN for the same problem you had last week, last month or even yesterday? I will stick with the "dark side" for now …

 

[peels]

I have noticed, when I call tech support and get a remote tech specialist, that many of them were once print operators or field technicians. Someone once suggested going over to the other side - the field tech side. As bad as being an operator can be sometimes, can you imagine having to deal with a bunch of impatient operators (like us) who cannot understand why it is taking so long to get the machine fixed? Or wondering why you have them back out AGAIN for the same problem you had last week, last month or even yesterday? I will stick with the "dark side" for now …

no, I cant imagine it....we are terrible people. LOL

but really. I have thought about it too... On the notion that we would be the best at explaining problems to operators, being that we once were them..

I think, though. I would have very little patience for one who refused to do anything to the machine, because I cant function that way.

 

[Kiran04]

I generally do about 30-50 work orders a day. Unless we have a bigger variable data job that is bogging me down. My press men tell me that I just operate a copier.

On top of just printing. I have to deal with sales reps and CSR's because they can not fill out a Purchase Order with all of the information that I need to save their god damn lives.

I also have to deal with the art department when I am having art issues because apparently that is not in a CSR's job description and they cant get off facebook long enough to do so.

Also EVERY Friday we have a big variable job that is between 13,000-25,000 letters that have to be done by Monday. I usually get art at 2:30 . So EVERY Friday i have no idea what time I am going home. It is a really great reward for busting my *** all week to make everything happen in the digital world.

I know it all could be worse but I am just plain old sick of my expectations being so high and all of the office people sitting on facebook all day and walking around drinking coffee and gossiping.

Sorry to go off topic, but how are you guys handling your variable data jobs? We've been trying sort out how to do that problem for ages. Do you use a different software to superimpose the images?

 

[peels]

Sorry to go off topic, but how are you guys handling your variable data jobs? We've been trying sort out how to do that problem for ages. Do you use a different software to superimpose the images?

I can only really comment on GMC "inspire" formerly, printet-T. Use it to overlay variable fields on top of pdf (or other) static backgrounds. This is all used since Ive been doing this....so not much to compare to, but I find it quite easy to do. The visual modular layout makes it easy to visualize your setups.

I have a VERY brief experience with kodak's Variable software during the nexpress years, it sorta worked, but it was terrible-time wise (for what we do)

 

[Milo Wilson]

Sorry to go off topic, but how are you guys handling your variable data jobs? We've been trying sort out how to do that problem for ages. Do you use a different software to superimpose the images?

Use the background form in FreeFlow with a variable data file superimposed over it.

 

[flangmasterj]

This thread is too damn real!

I've been in this line of work since 2003 I believe. Starting on a Xerox DC5000 (If I recall correctly) now running two iGen 5's, a C1000, 700, Nuvera 288 and 144 plus finishing equipment a lot of the time all at once. We're a dying breed I tell ya. What I've come to realise is I can't do more than what I'm currently doing which is twice that of any other employee so if I have account managers and superiors asking me if something is able to be done urgently or in between other work I'll tell them no it can't. Straight up. I don't go home stressed like I used to thinking of jobs I have on the go or what's coming up. At days end I switch off.

Work to live not live to work.