Brian Kelly, Print Account Manager at ADD Systems, discusses how print continues to deliver value. From delivery tickets and invoices to QR code asset tags, custom letterhead, and large-format signage, he explores how strategic print solutions help businesses improve efficiency, maintain compliance, and enhance brand awareness.
You can subscribe to the ADDcast at any of the following locations, or read the transcript below.
Apple Podcasts / iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/add-systems-addcast/id1604865113
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1atj72i5AnIwTJDBFD9DzX
Amazon / Audible: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/df7c9f4a-8a3f-431f-8787-50eee85b2bcd
Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id4744519?country=us
You can also search “ADD Systems” wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!
Brian Cohen: Welcome to ADDcast. I’m ADD Systems Multimedia Specialist Brian Cohen. In the technology industry, things move fast and are ever-changing. Software is at the forefront of our business, but print has an important place in serving our clients. Print Account Manager Brian Kelly works side by side with our clients to help them get print essentials. And today, Brian joins us to see where print is at in 2026 and how bright the future looks for printed material. Brian, thanks for joining me today.
Brian Kelly: Hi, Brian. Very happy to be here.
Brian Cohen: Happy to have you. So, Brian, how would you describe what you do for our clients?
Brian Kelly: Okay, Brian. We work with clients to best align their printing needs with their business goals. Printed materials that come in contact with the end consumer represent your brand, what you stand for, and your company. We try to ensure all aspects of print services align with your goals, starting with our consulting process, then onto design, production, and completion, all done in a timely manner to meet or exceed customer expectations.
Brian Cohen: So what do clients tend to come to you for most often?
Brian Kelly: Well, Brian, two of the most popular products are our Raven delivery tickets and meter tickets. Leaving a printed delivery receipt indicating the gallons delivered remains a requirement in many states. They’re also a critical part of their day-to-day operations, and distributors need a supplier that is reliable, delivers good quality, and makes the process easy. Since we know our software best, we can help design materials that work and look great.
Brian Cohen: It just goes to show that working with someone who knows the business helps people feel more confident. Well, Brian, you’ve been with ADD Systems for a while now, so are you doing anything differently today than you were maybe a few years ago?
Brian Kelly: Absolutely, Brian. I am now in my fifth year with ADD Systems, and I am much more knowledgeable about our software solutions for the commercial bulk fuels industry, heating oil, propane, HVAC, wholesale petroleum, lubricants distribution, and convenience store industries, which makes me more effective in my role. Particularly, I strive to bring solutions that enhance efficiency but also deliver a strong marketing message for our clients to help further their business goals.
Brian Cohen: Of course, coupling industry and printing experience is a benefit. So then, have there been any recent improvements or changes in how you support clients?
Brian Kelly: We’ve implemented some internal process improvements that make us more efficient with customer-facing documents, order tracking, and a smooth billing process.
Brian Cohen: Great points because those internal process improvements definitely have a wide reach. So then, what have clients responded to really well as of late?
Brian Kelly: Lately, in particular, our QR code asset tags for fleet fueling and tank asset tracking have been very well received.
Brian Cohen: That makes a lot of sense, Brian because tank inventory is a huge investment for a company, and surely the accuracy that the asset tags offer can help eliminate those expensive mistakes. Okay, so what about fleet fueling then?
Brian Kelly: When it comes to fleet fueling, or wet hosing as some call it, these tags make it easier for clients to identify the tank, which product needs to go into that tank or asset, all while providing detailed delivery information by asset on one delivery receipt rather than a single bulk delivery of X gallons.
Brian Cohen: Which is an important requirement for fleet fueling customers.
Brian Kelly: Yeah, when we look at what the customers spend on the steel tanks themselves, having a way to track these assets becomes extremely important. By tracking assets accurately through our software, our clients gain inventory control, reduce product filling mistakes, and have better reporting both internally and externally with reports they can share with their clients, which reduces manual processes overall.
Brian Cohen: And it’s fair to say anything that reduces manual processes is a win. So then, are there any updates or capabilities you think clients might not fully realize are available?
Brian Kelly: Sure, Brian. We offer a full range of commercial printing services, including brochures, flyers, pocket folders, cell sheets, door hangers, and more, giving clients a convenient one-stop solution for both operational and marketing print materials.
Brian Cohen: So one-stop shop. Keeping all of that in mind then, how are clients’ needs around print and billing shifting right now?
Brian Kelly: Well, Brian, some clients are moving towards a paperless environment by emailing invoices and statements, which makes sense for a lot of people, but we know not all of their customers are on board with email invoices and might still require a printed paper invoice to be sent. We are helping clients meet both of these needs. My goal is to continue showing the value of brand awareness and return on investment through print. The fewer printed documents customers receive, the more potential they have to stand out and make a real difference. When we consider that the majority of states have a legal code that requires a paper delivery receipt for all fuel deliveries to be left on site, we know 100% paperless is still not a viable option for all.
Brian Cohen: And that’s a great point. So print may be required sometimes, but it’s an opportunity to stand out. Brian, are there further considerations when it comes to printing within our software?
Brian Kelly: Well, Brian, as some may be aware, we offer two styles for each output type in our software for printed documents. The newest print options offer an alternative look to the data output. This newer style was designed to take advantage of color printers by adding color and new style elements to provide a great-looking out-of-the-box printed document from scratch. The first step is to review the client’s invoice or statement needs ahead of time with our implementation team to ensure they choose the style that meets their customer’s specific requirements. We will review all the different customizations available for both styles to help tailor the printed materials to our clients. If a client does choose to use the more recent print option, the cost considerations shift to toner. You need to consider added costs of printing in color versus black and white for a typical office laser printer. Color printing costs significantly more than black and white printing because the color pages use four toner cartridges, aka CMYK, instead of just black toner. We have helped clients mitigate some of this higher color cost by using ADD Systems’ designed, sold pre-printed color letterhead with our clients’ logos and marketing messages that can be loaded into their printer and printed in black ink on the black and white only printer. This can drive costs down while still delivering a great-looking output.
Brian Cohen: And I assume that impacts the cost overall.
Brian Kelly: When we look at cost comparison, the average annual cost could be as much as $10,000 more to print using colored toner versus black ink only toner, so a pre-printed document offers big savings.
Brian Cohen: Are there any other benefits to custom letterhead?
Brian Kelly: Custom letterhead also allows our clients to have standard information pre-printed on the back of the form. We have seen many clients choose to print things like payment options with ACH or credit card and their finance charge information, along with any safety information they would like to see received by their customer. Ordering two-sided printed letterhead from ADD Systems can really save money on expensive ink while still delivering the superior brand recognition our clients are looking for.
Brian Cohen: So what’s your role in helping our clients decide which way to go?
Brian Kelly: In a nutshell, choosing either of our output styles involves some important considerations. My goal is to ensure all the differences are discussed with clients before we move ahead.
Brian Cohen: So, Brian, with all that said, what’s something you wish more customers took advantage of?
Brian Kelly: That’s a great question, Brian. People often just think of tickets, invoices, and statements when they think about their printing needs, but signage and large-format printing offer a whole different opportunity for brand awareness. We try to work with our clients to ensure all of their branding opportunities are met with consistency in messaging, design, and quality. It’s their name on all of this material, and we make sure they look good. As our clients evolve, ADD Systems’ print services continue to focus on efficiency, flexibility, and value. Whether it’s supporting daily operations or enhancing brand presence, the goal is to make print more effective for every client by balancing digital trends with the lasting reliability of print material.
Brian Cohen: That makes a lot of sense. Well, Brian, if people want to get in touch with you if they have any questions, how would they go about doing so?
Brian Kelly: The best way to reach me is my email, kellyb@addsys.com, or my cell phone, which is 201-874-8448.
Brian Cohen: Excellent. Well, Brian, thank you so much for joining me today.
Brian Kelly: Thanks, Brian. Appreciate the opportunity.
Brian Cohen: And to those listening, to keep up with the latest happenings at ADD Systems, visit addsys.com/blog or connect with us on social media by following ADD Systems on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or X. If you have any questions about ADDcast, feel free to reach out to us at addcast@addsys.com. Thanks for listening, and have a great day.
Leave a Reply