Today’s world of business is fast paced and the ability to effectively manage information is more important than ever. Organisations need to be able to collect, store, and analyse data from various sources in order to make informed decisions and stay ahead of the competition. Even if you run a relatively small business, managing information will be a considerable task which may involve the employment of a specific member of staff or even a team. This is where Management Information System (MIS) software can become an asset. MIS software provides a central platform for organisations to manage their data and information, automate processes, and generate insights that can help improve performance and profitability. Whether you are a small start-up or a large enterprise, understanding how MIS software can help you manage your information effectively is crucial for staying competitive in today’s business landscape. 

What exactly is MIS Software? 

MIS stands for Management Information System. MIS software is designed to help organisations manage, organise, and analyse their data and information. It provides a central platform for collecting, storing, and retrieving information from various sources within an organisation. 

MIS software typically includes modules for managing various aspects of an organisation, such as customer data and orders, inventory, financial records, human resources, and job workflows. It can also include reporting and analytics tools to help organisations make informed decisions based on the data they collect. 

MIS software can be customised to meet the specific needs of an organisation and can be used in a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing. The software can be deployed on-premises or in The Cloud, and can be accessed through web-based interfaces or mobile apps. 

In this article, we will be looking specifically at MIS Software for the print industry. We take a look at some of the signs that indicate that MIS software might be a priority.  

What signs should we be looking out for? 

1. Issues with order management  

If your company is starting to struggle with managing information such as customer orders and data, then your business processes are likely to be inefficient and time-consuming. This is a clear indication that it might be time to consider implementing MIS software. In this instance, MIS can help streamline the management of information and improve overall efficiency. A MIS will help streamline the order management process by automating the creation of quotes, orders, invoices, and delivery notes. This can help reduce errors, save time, and improve customer satisfaction. MIS software can help automate repetitive tasks, reduce errors, and speed up workflows. 

2. Manual job scheduling and lack of visibility  

If a print company lacks visibility into its operations, such as job scheduling and organisation, it may not be able to identify and address issues in a timely manner. MIS software can provide real-time analytics and reporting, giving companies greater visibility into their operations and performance. MIS software can help schedule jobs and allocate resources more efficiently. It can also provide instantaneous updates on job progress, which can help improve communication and reduce delays with orders.  

3. Communication and customer management 

If your company struggles with the correct information being delivered between departments or with customers, it may need an MIS system to improve communication channels. An MIS system can help centralise communication channels and make it easier to share information across the organisation. It can help manage customer information, including contact details, order history, and billing information. Conversely, this improves customer service and facilitates repeat business which can increase customer loyalty and word of mouth recommendations. 

4. Problems with cost control and inventory management 

If you are continually finding anomalies in your financial records, it might be that certain elements of the business need managing more tightly. MIS software for printers can help track expenses, analyse costs, and generate reports on profitability. This can help print businesses make informed decisions on pricing, resource allocation, and cost reduction strategies. It can also help track inventory levels, monitor stock movements, and generate reports on inventory usage which in turn helps reduce waste, optimises stock levels, and improves profitability.  

5. A growing complexity 

Largely, a more holistic view, incorporating some of the above: You will have no doubt noticed that as your print company has grown and evolved, its operations have become more complex. It may be time to invest in some print MIS software to manage that complexity effectively. An MIS system can help print businesses scale their operations and provide that all important centralised platform to manage all aspects of the business. This is particularly important for the integration of multiple departmental information and can help manage the requirement for additional personnel.  

Print MIS Software – Does your Business need it? 

If you’ve read the above information and found yourself nodding in agreement to some or most of it, then it’s probably a good idea to have a conversation with an expert to find out how you can streamline and improve your business’s processes and profits. Flex4 OPS have over a decade of experience working with print businesses, developing websites, ecommerce platforms, web2print and MIS software. Speak to our friendly, UK based team today to find out what we could do for you.