▲ According to Accura MIS, no modern printing and communication company and operate without an MIS ing this that differentiates one product from another. These include how the initial enquiries are handled, how does data integrate and flow, and how customers are being kept informed? Cocks also issues a warning to PSPs considering a “standalone” approach with MIS and web-to-print, saying multi-vendor solutions show up a clear weakness. He explains: “Integration is often weak and one-way, it tends to focus on artwork delivery, not the whole job life-cycle, and the printer requires specialised, costly, and protracted integrations services, which most printers do not have in-house, so have to buy in. “Printers need to not just think about the now, but the future growth of their business when choosing an MIS. Is there room to grow with the system? Is it being actively developed? Is it scalable? How much in-house technical expertise does it need, and what if that person leaves?” With this in mind, Cocks addresses the issue of switching from one provider to another. He admits that while moving to a new MIS is quite difficult, the process can be smoothed out with some key steps mapped out by the new MIS provider, and careful management of legacy data. For example, exporting data to a spreadsheet for lookup purposes is worthwhile as you may lose access to your existing MIS if it is a hosted solution. Cocks also says workers need to be prepared and told why the company is going down this path, how it will help them in their jobs, and avoid duplication of effort. “Of course, staff will need training on the new system, but then again often they joined the company after the incumbent system was installed and had little training anyway, so are happy to be shown how to use a system properly,” he explains. “Allow a two- or three-month transition period, during which you’ll be referring back to old spreadsheet data. After this period, you will be doing this less-and-less until not at all. If the benefits of the new system are clear, usually it is received well by employees, particularly if it makes their jobs easier.” So, what is new from Accura? Cocks highlights Accura360, with which he says development is ongoing. New updates include a completely revamped, browser-friendly user interface, direct API synchronisation with Sage Business Cloud Accounting, scalable SQL Edition for Enterprise level solutions with better ODBC support, as well as a new scheduling tool with the ability ‘to tag’, move one/more, and re-plan jobs in one action. “As an end-to-end system, Accura360 comprises CRM for sales and marketing, web-to-print, and a full e-commerce and client portal, as well as MIS for production workflow as an all-in-one solution,” Cocks says, adding: “One database, one vendor, and one support team is a unique proposition.” Areas for Improvement Another specialist provider in this sector is Imprint. Commercial director, Peter Horwood says for PSPs looking to invest in a new MIS, they should first internally identify areas that require improvement and bottlenecks within the business that need relieving. This could be if workflows are getting slowed up in prepress or delays in job creation processes. “Once you have that in place, you know where you need to focus your attention when reviewing new systems,” Horwood says, continuing: “Make sure the providers have specific solutions for your area of print, which in this competitive environment can be multiple types. “A good idea when reviewing an MIS is to ask what they have been focusing on in the recent updates and how the software is developing in the future. Also enquire into the installation process and how an MIS provider will support you after you go live.” Horwood goes on to say that one of the most common reasons print companies feel the need to switch to a new provider and system is that their current offering is no longer being developed or properly Make sure the providers have specific solutions for your area of print, which in this competitive environment can be multiple types The concept of MIS dates back to the 1950s when computers were first introduced into business environments Factoid MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS | ROB FLETCHER 85 www.printmonthly.co.uk September / October 2025 - Issue 356
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