The Print Industry has come a long way in the last decade. There have been huge developments in terms of machinery, ink and substrates, not to mention technology and software. Printing companies are being challenged all the time with new customer requests, and local competition.
One of the simple ways you can help your Print Business stay abreast of the ever evolving challenges and requirements is by investing in an MIS solution. Even a simple MIS solution will help create space and time, freeing you and your team up to concentrate on whatever other tasks need focus. To help you out, we have summarised exactly what an MIS solution is and some of the reasons why MIS software for Printers is worth the investment.
What is a Print MIS Solution?
The acronym, MIS stands for Management Information System. You might hear it referred to as Print MIS. It is a type of software that aids with order management, customer estimates, print workflow and delivery scheduling. Simply put, a Print MIS helps track a customer order from the point of enquiry, to the point of shipping.
The possibilities of a print MIS are varied and complex, depending on your investment. Most times, the first port of call for the system, will be to generate accurate estimates for your customer. Depending on the solution, there are various ways the workflow will move forward from this point, but one thing all print MIS solutions have in common is the reduction in human input, saving money from the very start.
Streamline your processes
If you’re part of a Print Business and are reading this, you’ll be aware of how much time in a day is spent engaging in manual tasks as part of the pre production printing process. You’ll also be aware of how much this will be increasing if your business has invested in newer printing technologies and are offering these to customers.
The beauty of MIS software for the printing industry is that it creates an automated, streamlined workflow which in turn, reduces the requirement for human touchpoints by a huge 25%. This means that the time saved here can be better spent on improving customer service, developing new areas of your business or simply creating a better work life balance for you or your team. Better still, all your data is saved in one area, meaning that you can keep a track of everything much more easily instead of having to switch from one system to another and keep records of where each step is up to. Further saving you and your team time and focus.
Analyse your data
The development of Print MIS evolved from the necessity for business’ to accurately access and analyse their data. Because MIS systems for printers is a type of workflow software, the information for all your orders, from the type of stocks used to the volume of a product, is saved in one place. This enables a business to be able to generate a variety of reports, often shedding much needed light on areas of the business or processes that need improvements. Depending on the size of the business and type of MIS software, data reports can help Managers to make decisions about small, incremental changes to test the water with or bigger, more strategic revisions – both with the aim of improving revenues.
Improve your customer service
There are so many ways that MIS software can help a Print Business improve their customer experience. Right from the point of an enquiry, an estimate can be generated quickly. If a quote then needs revising, the use of a print MIS puts that control in place, helping to automate this process and win more orders simply by efficiently replying to customers in a more timely manner. Another benefit of print shop management software is gaining visibility through order tracking.
Instead of wasting valuable time finding out where an order is up to by hunting down the relevant team member, an order can be called up via the system which then provides the information required. These improvements will not go unnoticed by customers who will feel like their orders are secure and that they are dealing with a business who keep them informed.
Order Management Software from The Online Print Solution
If you are considering investing in a Print MIS and need some advice or would like to start building foundations with something manageable, talk to Flex4 OPS who have over a decade of experience in building software for Print Business’. Their friendly UK based team are on hand to provide sound advice and guide you towards the right type of software to meet your needs. Contact them today via email info@onlineprintsolution.co.uk or phone 020 8031 4723.