Blog

09.09.2020

A community challenge started in March by a Calgary business owner has gone viral in the local community, and West Canadian is the latest to participate. The #3Things4Neighbours social media challenge is designed to encourage Calgarians to carry out acts of kindness amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The challenge began in March when a Calgary business owner created the campaign as a way to give back to the community. Nearly half a year later, what started as a good deed between neighbours has caught on in Calgary's business community, as organizations like ATCO, Enmax,CANA and many others take to video to share three things they are doing to support our local community. Many of the organizations who have completed the challenge have chosen to nominate others to do the same. Thank you to Luke Simpson, President & CEO at CANA for nominating our organization to rise to the challenge. "We have learned that you don't have to be a big company with deep pockets to make a difference. Small acts of kindness and generosity can go a long way and make a positive impact on people around you." — Karen Brookman, President & CEO Watch our video below to see how we are supporting our community this year, and we invite you to join in! We would like to nominate Brent Hesje, CEO of Fountain Tire, Katherine Emberly, President of Business, Brand & Communications at Shaw Business, and Doug Cinnamon, Architect and Studio Managing Principal at DIALOG to complete the challenge. Watch other #3Things4Neighbours challenges on YouTube by clicking the button below. View #3Things4Neighbours on YouTube

07.21.2020

It started with a filing cabinet. Then a closet. Eventually, your organization's paper records collection grew so much that your office space couldn't sustain it, so you entered into a contract with a file storage vendor. Sound familiar? Today, the average organization increases its paper consumption by 22% each year, which means there's no sign of that growth stopping anytime soon. Driven by a shift towards remote work and an increase in economic uncertainty, many businesses are now looking to improve their employees' access to company information and reduce their overall operating costs. Thankfully, both objectives can be achieved with a single solution... by eliminating the large volumes of paper in your organization that take up valuable real estate, cost money to store and are very difficult (if not impossible) to access while working remotely. The solution sounds simple—eliminate paper. But often, this can feel like a daunting and expensive endeavour that leaves many businesses wondering, "Where do we start?" Enter Scan-to-Zero. What is Scan-to-Zero? Scan-to-Zero is a method of digitizing your paper records collection that is easy, affordable and flexible. Rather than deploying resources to scan your entire records collection all at once (which can be daunting and expensive), our team will digitize a fixed volume of your records each month until your collection is complete. If your records are taking up space in your office, or you're paying expensive document storage fees, we'll alleviate those pain points right away. At no additional cost, we will store your records at our secure facilities while they're waiting in the queue to be scanned. When it's time for digitization, our experts securely convert, extract and index the valuable data from your records using our state-of-the-art capture technology including an IBML scanner, Kofax Capture and Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Book a complimentary Scan-to-Zero Site Assessment > The Scan-to-Zero Process How does it work? We assess your needs and establish a budget, timeline and technical requirements for your file delivery We securely transport your collection to our storage facilities where your documents await scanning, or we can remove small batches from your office at a time (we're flexible to your needs) Whether your budget is $500 or $5000, we'll scan a fixed rate of documents each month until your paper volume and invoice both reach zeroWhile your files are in the queue waiting to be scanned, you'll still have access to them—just let us know what files you need, and our experts will locate and deliver them securely right awayOnce your documents are digitized, we deliver them to you digitally (and we can also help you with content management solutions and strategies) After they're scanned, West Canadian can safely destroy your records in accordance with compliance regulations, or we can return them safely to you (or a combination of the above) Get started with Scan-to-Zero today > Key Benefits of Scan-to-Zero 1) Eliminate Document Storage Costs and Contracts If your business records are in a document storage facility, you're likely paying a fixed monthly rate on a long-term contract. When that contract is up, there's still no end in sight as your volume of information continues to grow. With Scan-to-Zero, you pay what you want until the work is done and your invoice is zero. 2) Gain Access to Critical Business Records Once your documents are scanned and converted West Canadian offers and support several solutions for digital file delivery and information management. Our experts will work with your unique needs, budget and timelines to determine what's right for you. 3) Improve Workplace Efficiency Research shows that a typical employee spends 30-40% of their time looking for information that's stored away in filing cabinets. Once you've gone digital, you can organize your content repository in a simple and effective way that makes it easy to find information whenever and wherever you need it. Getting Started The first step is a conversation. Take advantage of our complimentary Scan-to-Zero Site Assessment and we'll visit the location of your business records to assess: The approximate volume of your recordsFile types and unique requirements for digitizationYour budget and timeline for going digital Plus, for a limited time get a complimentary proof of concept that includes the scanning and electronic delivery of one banker's box of files. For more information visit the link below. Learn More

07.01.2020

As the COVID-19 crisis began to unfold, many organizations had to quickly mobilize a remote workforce with very little warning or preparation. Some of West Canadian's customers reached out to find simple and affordable solutions that would enable their employees to remotely access and collaborate on company documents, no matter where they were working from. As we settle in and adapt to this new world of work, issues and gaps in the process will inevitably continue to surface. Here are three steps organizations can follow to proactively support and empower a productive digital workplace. Step 1: Define your business-critical processes. To meet an immediate need, many employees found temporary workarounds to access their files and information from home. To enable a truly productive, secure and accessible remote work environment, organizations must reassess the situation strategically. Before you can choose a solution for your new digital workplace, you must define your needs. Start by identifying the key stakeholders in your business — HR, Accounting, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing, Sales, etc., and then define the critical processes that each of these groups performs to keep your business running. Some examples include: Does your HR team need access to employee records and policies to manage staff and business continuity during the crisis? Does your accounting team need access to invoices and purchase orders to continue paying vendors and collecting customer payments?Do your sales staff need customer contracts, SOWs and other critical materials to manage accounts and keep revenue flowing? Once you have defined the business-critical processes performed by each stakeholder group, list them in order of priority and identify the roadblocks they are experiencing due to their new remote work environment. Step 2: Determine what you already have available in your technology ecosystem. Once you have a solid understanding of the roadblocks your stakeholders are experiencing, the next step is understanding the tools, technology and expertise you already have available. Some key questions to consider: Where are your company documents stored? Start with the basics. Are your documents paper-based, digital, or both? If your company information is paper-based and stored away in filing cabinets at the office, you will need to consider converting those documents to a digital format and storing them in a secure, cloud-based location. While developing a digital information ecosystem typically requires strategy, there are easy-to-adopt and affordable solutions that will work for the interim. If your documents are digital, where are they stored? If they are in-network folders, are they accessible remotely through a VPN? If they are in email, SharePoint or an ERP system, can they be securely accessed and shared from home? Do you have the in-house expertise to deploy a solution? If there are gaps in your technology that leave your team unable to access information remotely, you may need to deploy an interim solution. In that case, do you have an internal IT team that can champion the initiative and get your digital workforce set up quickly? If not, consider consulting with a trusted partner like West Canadian. Speak to our Digital Transformation Specialist > Step 3: Choose and deploy a solution. You now have a clear understanding of the roadblocks your employees are having getting access to their critical information, and you understand your current technology environment. With this in mind, it's time to choose a technology solution that will work for the interim, but also has the capability to provide value when your employees are back at work. There are several quick to adopt, easy to use and affordable document management solutions that could work for your organization. Which solution you choose depends on factors such as: Complexity of your information environment — Do you have several departments that each need their own repository, or are you a smaller business that needs a single place to store information? Metadata requirements — What type of search functionality do you need to retrieve documentation? Permission controls — Do you require advanced measures for granting access to documentation, or are you fairly lenient? If you're not sure where to get started with choosing an interim document and information management ecosystem, WCD can help. We're Here for You WCD can help you rapidly design and deploy the software,hardware and processes that you need to enable your workforce with quick, simple and secure access to your key business records. Learn more by clicking the link below. Learn More

06.30.2020

June 18, 2020 — West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. (West Canadian) today announced the achievement of their Workplace Safety Certificate of Recognition (COR) from the Government of Alberta. The Certificate of Recognition is a designation granted to organizations whose Health and Safety Management Systems meet Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) standards as evaluated by an external certified auditor. Many organizations in government, oil and gas and other safety-conscious industries have made it a requirement for vendors to have their COR in order to bid on work. This designation gives the company a competitive advantage that few organizations who provide similar services to West Canadian have. “Our Certificate of Recognition is a reflection of a dedicated staff who actively participate in maintaining a safe work environment each day," says Heather Rogers, Human Resources Manager. "We have always believed that our people are our most important resource." "The achievement of our COR makes a clear statement of our commitment to the safety of our employees, especially at a time where health and safety are top of mind. This is an incredible achievement that our organization is very proud of." — Karen Brookman, President & CEO The process to attain a Workplace Safety COR is thorough. A two-week audit by a certified external party consists of a review of company documentation including maintenance records, visitor logs, safety meeting records and health and safety policies and procedures. Employees are randomly selected for interviews to ensure there is a maintained level of awareness and involvement in the organization’s health and safety program. To learn more about Alberta’s guidelines for the Workplace Safety COR, visit the Government of Alberta. About West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. For over 65 years, West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. has enabled businesses to manage their information, tell their story and drive change that matters using an unparalleled breadth of innovative and flexible digital solutions that span from back-office to brand. Our services are designed to reduce costs, improve efficiency and provide our customers with the confidence to take their business to the next level. Our rich history and deep roots in the community have forged lifetime relationships with clients, partners and staff across Canada. Headquartered in Calgary, we have offices in Edmonton, Red Deer and Fort McMurray, Alberta as well as Toronto, Mississauga and Sarnia, Ontario.  Learn more at www.westcanadian.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. For more information, contact: Heather Rogers, Human Resources Manager hrogers@westcanadian.com 1-800-267-2555

05.06.2020

Content adapted from Business Matters by Canada Post. Business across Canada are turning to direct mail marketing as a way to break through the digital noise so they can effectively communicate changes and engage with the community. Direct mail marketing gives businesses the opportunity to reach a broad audience on a more personal level than email marketing alone can provide, and is making a comeback as businesses adapt to reach customers wherever they are. 81% of Canadians say they read their mail the same day they receive it. Why More Businesses Are Using Direct Mail Despite stereotypes that direct mail is outdated or "old school", research shows that it is far more effective than you might think. Young People Like Direct Mail It's a common misconception that older generations are more responsive to direct mail. In fact, an article by Forbes states that 36% of people under 30 look forward to checking their mail daily, and 95% of 18-to-29-year-olds have a positive response to receiving personal mail. Canadians Pay Attention to Direct Mail To further prove the effectiveness of direct mail, a study by Canada Post revealed that 74% of Canadian consumers always or sometimes notice advertising in direct mail, 81% read their mail the same day they receive it, and 85% will open mail if it looks interesting. Designed by WCD Creative. 5 Reasons Direct Mail Marketing Works So we know the research proves that direct mail marketing works, but now let's talk about why it works. Here are five of the top reasons direct mail is so effective: 1) Precision-Targeted Reach Today, direct mail can be hyper targeted through demographics and location. It starts by defining your audience, crafting meaningful content with stand-out design, and honing in on your audience through precision-targeted mailing. With Canada Post's Precision Targeter™, businesses can narrow down their audience by choosing from 14 demographic categories like driving distance from your business, household age and income, as well as the type of residence. They can also use interactive maps to target specific neighbourhoods or regions, and more. Designed by WCD Creative. 2) High Engagement Compared with digital marketing, direct mail receives high engagement from consumers. In fact, postcard marketing has a much higher response rate on average (4.4%) when compared to digital marketing (0.12%). Postcard direct mail marketing has a 4.4% average response rate, compared with 0.12% for digital marketing tactics. 3) Customizable Content When compared to digital marketing tactics, direct mail marketing is highly customizable and has fewer limitations, especially in the realm of creativity. Free from the constraints of CASL compliance, costly email marketing tools and ad blockers, direct mail can be fully customized to whatever purpose you desire and is guaranteed to make it to your customer's mailbox. 4) Affordability Direct mail can be incredibly cost effective for a business hoping to find new customers or engage existing ones. If your business doesn't have the in-house capability to design, print and develop a mailing list, you may need to engage a Canada Post Smartmail™ Marketing Expert Partner like West Canadian. Once you have developed your direct mail piece, Canada Post's pricing for mailing is simpler than you may think. For Neighbourhood Mail, sending one flyer or postcard to approximately 500 addresses on a postal route will cost as little as $0.164 for each flyer. That equals out to only $82 for mailing to 500 potential new and existing customers! Of course, prices are subject to change and are dependent on the complexity of your campaign. 5) Design Potential What makes direct mail stand out is its tangibility. An email or online ad simply can't compare to receiving an eye-catching, well-designed piece of mail that's personally addressed to you. At West Canadian, our in-house design experts at Orange Door are direct mail experts and can work with your unique needs to develop a stand-out piece. Designed by WCD Creative. Get started with Direct Mail When executed with a thoughtful strategy, direct mail marketing can significantly elevate your brand's visibility and engagement. Download our FREE 6-Step Guide to Direct Mail Marketing to begin crafting campaigns that not only reach but resonate with your audience. Or, contact us to get started today.

04.18.2020

If you're driving southbound on Calgary's Deerfoot Trail today, you may notice that the TELUS Spark building has a new banner hanging proudly for highway-goers to see. Paying homage to the scientists that are working tirelessly to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and inform the public to keep us safe, the banner delivers a bold message for the world to see: "Thank you scientists." Photo credit: James Greig Media Around the world, people are finding unique ways to salute those that work in essential services, from balcony cheering for healthcare workersin Belgium to celebrating essential transportation personnel at Canada's St. John's port. As an organization that teaches the public about science through interactive exhibits, school programs and unique events, TELUS Spark is calling on our heroes of science to thank them for all they do. "Scientists express what’s going on in amperes, nanometers, degrees. Very very slowly, what we know through science makes its way into what we do as society. But it takes a long time," says Mary Anne Moser, President & CEO at TELUS Spark. "When, as in the case of COVID-19, what’s going on is measured in units of human bodies, it doesn’t take as long. So right now, I join millions around the world to say thank you scientists." "So right now, I join millions around the world to say thank you scientists." — Mary Anne Moser, President & CEO at Telus Spark Photo credit: James Greig Media Experts in signage solutions, the West Canadian Signage Team produced and installed the 65 x 43 foot banner using a perforated vinyl mesh banner, enabling heavy winds to pass through the sign without causing wear and tear. "West Canadian is proud to have been involved with this initiative to show our support for TELUS Spark, an organization that is deeply woven into the spirit of Calgary's community," says West Canadian's President & CEO, Karen Brookman. Video footage credit: James Greig Media

03.09.2020

In Part One of our series on Digital Transformation for Alberta's School Boards, we spoke about asking the right questions to prepare for digitization. In Part Two, we will cover the basics of the first step in the process: scanning existing paper records. The first step on the Digital Transformation On-Ramp is digitization and document imaging. This involves capturing historical and day-forward records in a secure and accessible digital format. Before developing a day-forward scanning strategy, most organizations will scan their existing records (backfiles) and develop a strategy for managing them digitally. Using a backfile scanning strategy, organizations convert existing paper documents into compliant electronic records, allowing records administrators and students to easily access files digitally. There are several benefits of digitizing backfiles before developing a day-forward strategy: As you organize past records into an Enterprise Content Management (ECM) system, you develop a solid organizational framework that becomes foundational to your day-forward strategyBeing part of the conversion process, staff become internal champions so when it’s time to develop a day-forward strategy and transition records processes, there is an existing internal support During this phase of Digital Transformation, you may choose to hire a strategic partner to securely transport and scan your records. It’s likely that your school board has a high volume of documents to scan, which is why hiring experts in security and compliance that use high-speed industrial scanners will help to ensure the job gets done right. As you are preparing your backfile scanning strategy, here are some questions to consider: How many records do we need to be scanned?Are they stored in several locations? Do they need to be transported or can they be scanned on-site? Are there compliance standards or regulations we have to adhere to? Do the paper records need to be restored after they are scanned for compliance purposes, or will they need to be destroyed?Do we have the hardware and software required to scan these documents in house?What are our budget and timeline? Download the Paper Volume Estimator > A backfile strategy will dive deep into your specific requirements, addressing all of the above questions and outlining the people, processes and technology required to get the job done. Once your documents are scanned and data is extracted, they will need to be uploaded into an enterprise content management (ECM) system. An ECM system will organize your content based on a unique architectural structure that works best for you. For many Alberta school boards, student records are uploaded into PASI. But for others with more unique requirements, there may be more than one content management system that is suitable for hosting your organization's information. In Part 3 of our series on Digital Transformation in Education, we will dive into what you should look for when selecting a content repository or ECM system for your student records.

01.22.2020

Christina Fauser becomes Creative Director at Orange Door Direct and launches an affordable pricing model for high quality design and expert direct marketing solutions. Calgary, Alberta (January 22, 2020) – West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. (“West Canadian”) today announced an exciting change in leadership and a revised pricing model for their subsidiary, Orange Door Direct (“Orange Door”), that will bring a new competitive edge to the Calgary-based boutique design agency. Christina Fauser returns to Orange Door as Director/Creative Lead. Fauser brings to the team a highly versatile skillset in both digital and print design and over 10 years of industry experience, including four years as a full-time Art Director with Orange Door. In 2018, Fauser left Orange Door to open her own boutique agency but remained a valued designer on contract. Her new leadership position will enable her to use her talent, experience and entrepreneurial spirit to help grow and build the next generation of Orange Door. “This opportunity came at the perfect moment, as I was looking to take my business to the next level,” says Fauser. “Returning to Orange Door in a leadership role allows me to continue my passion for design and solving challenges in creative ways – only now I’ll have the support of a well-respected team of designers and the backing of a 65-year-old company. I'm excited to show both my current and prospective customers what Orange Door is capable of.” Today, Orange Door is also introducing an updated pricing model for all new projects with a goal of fostering long-term trusted relationships by providing high-quality yet affordable creative design and direct marketing solutions. "We are seeing a surge in the marketplace with customers looking to run cost-effective direct marketing campaigns with great design and seamless execution," says Jennifer Brookman, Vice President of Marketing at West Canadian. "By combining Orange Door’s expertise in strategy, print and digital design, data analysis and mail fulfillment, with West Canadian’s innovative digital print and signage capabilities, we are in a unique position to provide end-to-end marketing solutions that are affordable for our customers.” For more information about Orange Door Direct, please visit orangedoordirect.com. About West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. For over 60 years, West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc. has enabled businesses to manage their information, tell their story and drive change that matters using an unparalleled breadth of innovative and flexible digital solutions that span from back-office to brand. Our services are designed to reduce costs, improve efficiency and provide our customers with the confidence to take their business to the next level. Our rich history and deep roots in the community have forged lifetime relationships with clients, partners and staff across Canada. Headquartered in Calgary, we have offices in Edmonton, Red Deer and Fort McMurray, Alberta as well as Toronto, Mississauga and Sarnia, Ontario.  Learn more at www.westcanadian.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. About Orange Door Direct Founded in 2001 as a subsidiary of West Canadian Digital Imaging Inc., Orange Door Direct is a boutique design agency that crafts holistic brand solutions to help customers solve unique business challenges. Based out of Calgary, Orange Door works with organizations across Canada, from small business to large enterprise, using data-driven insights, innovative technology and strategic creative design to provide award winning marketing solutions. Backed by West Canadian’s robust print and signage production capabilities, the agency provides end-to-end creative services from concept to completion. Orange Door is a Canada Post Smartmail Marketing Expert Partner™. Learn more about creative services.

11.25.2019

The most magical part of the holiday season is watching joy flood the faces of your loved ones as they open the gifts you thoughtfully picked just for them. And ironically, the most stressful part of the holiday season is finding those perfect gifts in the first place. It doesn't have to be. With a personalized photo book, you can show your family, friends, and even your customers just how much they mean to you this holiday season. Here's why a photo book is the best gift to give: 1) Photo Books Give the Gift of Memories As the clock ticks on towards the holiday deadline, we often find ourselves scrambling towards a bustling shopping centre in search of last-minute gifts. Because there's nothing quite like a gift made with love, save yourself the trip this year and create a personalized photo book filled with memories that will mean more to your special someone than any pair of pajamas ever could. 2) Photo Books are Timeless Trends come and go, clothing wears, and technology fades away, but the memories captured in a personalized photo book last a lifetime. Years down the road, your loved ones will look back at their special photo book and feel the same warmth they felt when they first received such a special gift. 3) Photo Books are Easy and Affordable Using an online photo book creator like Mixbook, it's easier than ever to upload your favourite photos, choose a custom template and create a professional-looking, quality-made book. From start to finish, you'll have your order in faster than you can find a parking spot at the mall during the holiday season. For the latest promotions offered by Mixbook or to get started on your holiday photo books today, visit www.mixbook.com.Looking for on-demand print and fulfilment solutions? Now offered through Cober Solutions.