78 email: news@printmonthly.co.uk September / October 2023 - Issue 344 Griffin says, adding: “As systems grow the level of data can become excessive meaning that important issues are missed or not noticed while resolutions or actions can still be implemented. SolPrint events and notifications allow for users to have targeted notifications providing real-time information so resolutions can be implemented to eliminate costs. “Graphical dashboards can be customised based on a user’s roles and responsibilities to provide an instant real-time representation of the business performance with drill down functionality allowing the details to be further interrogated.” Linking Together Elsewhere, Trevor Cocks, managing director of Accura, says only through true “touchless” integration can the full return on investment (ROI) of an MIS be capitalised. For this reason, he says PSPs should be looking holistically at their software and processes, seeing where automations can help save money. “Since the pandemic, PSPs have seen escalating costs in terms of materials, energy, wages, cost-of-borrowing, outwork service increases, and more,” Cocks says, growth,” De Roeck says, adding: “One of the ways to break these silos is to make sure the MIS system interconnects not only disparate systems, but also departments and people. Not having to re-enter data twice in disparate systems but having a real time interface between disparate systems is a solid basis for operational efficiency improvement. “In the face of the disruptive market trends in the industry, we continue to work closely with our customers, listening and developing innovations that respond to demands and deliver tangible benefits.” As for what is new from Esko, its latest solution is software version 23.07, which extends the availability of the Share & Approve cloud native service that enables users to connect their prepress to their customers and stakeholders with a new gateway through to their artwork editor applications. “With 50 complimentary approval cycles each month, Share & Approve enables users to share files, automate workflows, gather approvals, track milestones, and ultimately speed up approval cycles by as much as three times,” De Roeck says. He adds: “Anyone can join, anywhere, for free, and share assets with any stakeholder using Esko’s cloud-based platform. This means quick and easy accessibility - without the need to download any software - and the ability to connect from anywhere on any device.” Efficiency And Profitability Another MIS provider is i-teba, which lists SolPrint as its stand-out MIS solution. Managing director Peter Griffin says an MIS should be the cornerstone of any PSP or print management business. “A browser-based MIS that provides access from diverse systems over multiple platforms or devices will enable the business to grow efficiently and profitably,” Griffin says, adding: “The system should allow staff, customers, and suppliers to interact with the MIS either directly or via the API. “The system should have an intuitive, reactive interface that ensures information available from the MIS provides real-time notifications of business issues and oppor- ◄ xxx tunities for all users dependent on their roles.” Griffin says SolPrint is a good example of such a system. SolPrint is modular and covers all areas including customer-facing shopfront, web-to-print, sales CRM, estimating, order processing, studio, scheduling, SFDC, JDF/JMF integration, stock, costing, invoicing, warehousing, and full accounting suite or links to a third-party accounts system via the SolPrint API. He says SolPrint continues to be developed with the aim to drive efficiencies and reduce costs. An example of these improvements includes the latest Quote Builder, which allows the system to streamline the estimating process by product-based wizards leading the user through a simple process to generate complex, standardised pricing. “Accurate, real-time information is key to the efficient running of any business,” It is now imperative that companies review their current business operations and identify areas where they can make meaningful improvements ►Esko says it is imperative to continuously review business operations Share & Approve on Esko’s software version 23.07 features 50 complimentary approval cycles each month 50 BACK TO BASICS / MIS SOFTWARE PT.2
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