We all know that the print process comprises many complex steps, all driving towards a specific output. Unfortunately, the output isn’t always successful. Why? Simply put, it often has too many human touchpoints in its process, which leads to unnecessary, costly errors.
A robust Print MIS software with connectivity and integration capabilities will eliminate many human touchpoints by automating your workflow and seamlessly linking your business’s vital processes.
Why a Print MIS?
A print shop is only as good as its software. Sorry hardware folks, but it’s true. It’s the equivalent of buying a car - it needs gas or power to run. If your software isn’t cutting it (or you don’t use it at all), you’re putting your business’s potential for growth at risk. A Print Management Information System, or Print MIS, is a software application that automates key business processes, integrates operations and programs, and produces powerful data reports that you can use to continue improving and growing your business.
Why Connectivity and Integrations Matter
If your MIS software isn’t linking your most important business functions, you need to find one that does. Top-tier print shop software will connect with your other business software and pre-press, production, and bindery systems. Connectivity and integrations like these allow your business to reduce errors, increase the transparency of costs, and save time.
Pro tips:
- Use the best-in-class. A Print MIS software with a long list of integration partners lets you work with the best programs for every part of your workflow.
- Optimize to save more. Investing in end-to-end print shop software with integration capabilities will save you more in the long run as you streamline your processes and eliminate disparate systems and steps in your workflow.
- Scalability. A modular solution that grows as your needs grow, integrates into your core systems and provides consistent technology updates can future-proof your company. As software updates and features become available, you can easily integrate them into your core workflow.
Eliminate Human Errors Through Connectivity
Your Print MIS should act as the central hub and system-of-record for your print operation, exchanging information with all the key applications, programs, and equipment you count on to run your operation.
Bindery
Your finishing equipment requires software that can understand and execute each job's unique specifications. Seamless integration between your print MIS and bindery equipment will save you time and improve customer communications and satisfaction with quality output.
Direct Machine Interface
Manually collecting machine data takes time, and results can be questionable due to human error. A Direct Machine Interface (DMI) will capture all data automatically through a link to the machine’s controls. From there, you’ll easily be able to see and analyze all your real-time data in an easy-to-use interface.
Shipping
Stay on top of your shipments by integrating with the tracking systems used by your local carriers. Make sure the software you choose can connect to your preferred shippers (ex., USPS, UPS, FedEx, Purolator, etc.) to track shipments easily after transferring shipping and billing information.
Pre-Press
File preparation is the key step in your production process. Getting the job right in terms of imposition, bleeds, ganging, variable data print—the list of details seems endless—all depends on quality pre-press work. Missing anything will erode your ROI. Ensure your system seamlessly connects each step through your MIS.
Web to Print (W2P)
A robust onboarding system not only collects key job information but offers an eCommerce solution to collaborate, re-order and manage your assets. Tight integration between your MIS and W2P system enables the automatic transfer of data between systems, ensuring a faster turnaround time and fewer errors by eliminating rekeying of information.
Avanti Slingshot® Print MIS
Avanti Slingshot is a best-in-class Print MIS that offers integration into key industry partners. These connections allow for a better experience for in-plant printers, print service providers, and their customers. Avanti Slingshot eliminates costly and time-consuming manual steps by communicating with strategic partners, third-party systems, and equipment throughout your shop. The key to Avanti’s success is two-fold.
Job Definition Format (JDF) Certified
Avanti Slingshot uses an industry-standard Job Definition Format (JDF) to integrate seamlessly with your other business software, pre-press, production, and bindery systems. JDF is a job ticketing file format that acts as a “universal language.” It is designed to bridge the communication gap between creative professionals (like graphic designers) and your print team so that a job maintains the same data throughout its life cycle.
When a job created in Avanti Slingshot is released to production, the JDF module sends as much information as the system receiving the job can understand. Data may include the job ticket number, job description, size, color, media information, quantity, and content files.
Avanti Integration Partners
The second key to the success of the Avanti Slingshot Print MIS software is its connectivity with industry vendors, including:
- QuickBooks
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- Sage
- United States Postal Service
- UPS
- FedEx
- Purolator
- Avalara
See the full list of web-to-print, automation, and business management partners here.
Get A Free Demo of Avanti Slingshot
Ready to learn more?
Connectivity and integrations are two critical features of any effective print MIS software. They’ll help you to increase cost savings, reduce manual errors, and improve relationships with customers and suppliers.
Don’t take our word for it. See the power of Avanti Slingshot and what it can do for your business by requesting a free online demo where our experts will speak with you directly to demonstrate how the software works. Your demo will be customized using actual job samples from your company.
