In a recent webinar hosted by Editor & Publisher (E&P) Magazine, Mike Blinder engaged with three experts from Atex to explore how their cutting-edge print workflow automation technology is transforming print publishing. Featuring Chris Freeman, Account Executive; Cesare Navarotto, Chief Product Officer; and Stuart Bowley, Product Lead, the session illuminated the benefits of automation for news publishers and the ease of integrating Atex solutions into existing workflows.
Atex and the promise of automation
Atex, a leader in content management and digital solutions for the media industry, has long been at the forefront of innovation. Founded in 1973, the company has continuously evolved to address the changing needs of publishers worldwide. Their latest focus? Automating print workflows to reduce costs and free up resources for higher-value tasks.
“Auto-pagination is about doing more with less,” said Stuart Bowley, Product Lead at Atex. “It automates your pages without compromising the design ethos of your publication, allowing staff to focus on what really matters—storytelling and content creation.”
The case for auto-pagination: Tindle newspapers
Chris Freeman shared a compelling case study of Tindle Newspapers, one of the largest privately-owned publishing groups in the UK. With 20 regional titles, websites, social channels, and five radio stations, Tindle turned to ATEX in 2023 to streamline their high-demand production processes.
“The challenge for Tindle was managing high production demands while reducing their reliance on manual processes,” Freeman explained. “By implementing auto-pagination, they achieved a substantial reduction in user counts, centralized their print subbing process, and allowed staff to focus on quality local content.”
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During the Broadcast
Scott Wood, Managing Director at Tindle, highlighted the transformative impact: “Working with Atex for years made auto-pagination a natural progression. It’s allowed us to reallocate resources, reduce costs, and prioritize content that truly resonates with our audience.”
Understanding auto-pagination: The technology behind the innovation
For those unfamiliar with the concept, Bowley provided a beginner-friendly explanation of auto-pagination, describing it as a tool that automates layout while preserving a publication’s unique design.
“This technology integrates seamlessly into your existing workflow,” Bowley noted. “Content is prioritized through a news list, and the system uses predefined rules to determine what goes where. This ensures efficiency without sacrificing design quality.”
Blinder emphasized the practical benefits for publishers: “For organizations under cost pressure, this technology can make the difference between continuing to produce a title and having to kill it.”
Flexibility and integration: Meeting publishers where they are
Cesare Navarotto expanded on Atex’s modular approach, which allows publishers to adopt specific tools like auto-pagination without overhauling their entire system. Atex integrates easily with existing platforms like WordPress and Blocks.
“We’re about enhancing workflows, not replacing them,” Navarotto explained. “For example, our MyType CMS for publishers supports everything from news gathering to distribution, offering tools like AI-powered translation and content summarization. It’s all about making life easier for journalists.”
Blinder added: “This kind of flexibility is critical. Publishers need solutions that meet them where they are, whether they’re advanced users or just starting to explore automation.”
AI and the Future of Publishing
The discussion also delved into AI’s role in transforming publishing workflows. From auto-fitting content to headlines optimized for digital and print, Atex leverages AI to enhance efficiency and creativity.
“AI isn’t here to replace humans,” Freeman stated. “It’s about maximizing efforts, taking over mundane tasks, and allowing creative professionals to focus on what they do best.”
Navarotto echoed this sentiment: “With AI, we’re not just automating processes; we’re building tools that grow with publishers, adapting to their unique needs and challenges.”
The ROI of automation
When asked about the affordability of Atex’s solutions, Freeman emphasized the immediate ROI: “Auto-pagination eliminates costs associated with licenses, AWS hosting, and manual labor. And the productivity gains? They speak for themselves.”
Bowley noted another critical benefit: “By preserving your publication’s design, you maintain brand consistency—even as you automate more tasks.”
A call to action
As the webinar concluded, Blinder highlighted the urgency for publishers to explore automation: “With rising costs and shrinking revenues, it’s time to rethink how we allocate resources. Tools like Atex’s auto-pagination can help us do more with less, ensuring our legacy products remain profitable.”
For those interested in learning more, Freeman encouraged attendees to book personalized demos: “Let us show you how these tools can fit seamlessly into your workflow and transform your operations.”
Conclusion
The Atex webinar underscored the transformative potential of auto-pagination and automation for news publishers. Whether reducing costs, improving workflows, or freeing staff for creative tasks, these technologies offer a path forward in a challenging industry landscape. As Blinder aptly put it: “The future of publishing isn’t about replacing people; it’s about empowering them to do their best work.”
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