AI Is Only as Smart as Your Data · Vishal Sahay · SpencerMetrics · FLOW 2026
Everybody wants automation. Everybody wants AI. But what happens when the data feeding those systems is incomplete, inconsistent, or simply wrong?
At FLOW 2026 in Bad Hersfeld, Pat McGrew meets Vishal Sahay from SpencerMetrics to discuss one of the most fundamental challenges in print manufacturing: establishing a reliable foundation of real-time production data.
Printing companies often operate equipment from different manufacturers, using different systems, protocols, and ways of reporting information. Collecting data manually or combining information from disconnected sources can quickly create inconsistencies that undermine the very automation companies are trying to achieve.
SpencerMetrics addresses this challenge by collecting and standardizing machine data, making accurate production information available to other systems, workflow automation platforms, and AI applications.
And as Vishal explains, artificial intelligence cannot solve everything on its own. Without structured, contextualized data, AI can produce misleading conclusions or even hallucinate information that doesn’t reflect what’s actually happening on the production floor.
Interestingly, Vishal doesn’t see the growing volume of data as the biggest challenge. Modern cloud infrastructure can handle enormous amounts of information. The real challenge is making that data useful without overwhelming the people responsible for production.
From machine monitoring to automation, robotics, and AI-driven decision-making, the message is clear: intelligent manufacturing starts with trustworthy information.
A conversation about why investing in better data may be the most important first step toward a genuinely automated printing company.
Recorded at FLOW 2026 · Bad Hersfeld, Germany · INKISH
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Wed November 4th
Your Workflow Is Automated. But Is It Connect...
You may think your printing company is automated. But are all your systems actually working together? At FLOW 2026 in Bad Hersfeld, Pat McGrew meets Ray Duval from Ultimate Tech to explore why workflow automation is about much more than individual software solutions — and why connecting the islands of automation is essential for modern print production. For years, Ultimate Tech has been recognized for its Ultimate Impostrip imposition technology. But as printing companies expand into new markets and increasingly operate mixed production environments, the company's solutions have evolved far beyond traditional imposition. Today, Ultimate Tech helps printers automate imposition, nesting, batching, and finishing preparation across commercial printing, digital print, wide format, labels, and other applications. From preparing files for flatbed printers to optimizing cutting tables and managing short-run label production, the goal is to create efficient, connected workflows that reduce manual intervention. And automation isn't only about getting files to machines. It's increasingly about data. Ray explains how information needs to travel in both directions, enabling production systems to receive the right instructions while returning valuable performance data that helps businesses understand and improve their operations. But perhaps the most important point is that automation starts with understanding the customer's challenges. Ultimate Tech combines technology with decades of practical industry experience to identify bottlenecks, connect existing systems, and help printing companies develop more efficient production environments. Whether you're already using Ultimate Impostrip or just beginning your automation journey, this conversation demonstrates why the next step isn't necessarily another piece of software, but making everything work together. Recorded at FLOW 2026 · Bad Hersfeld, Germany · INKISH