As printing companies expand, sooner or later, they outgrow their Management Information System (MIS). Software must meet current needs by providing e-commerce, file submission, and more end-to-end solutions. If you’ve ever had to purchase a new MIS, you know it can be a daunting task. There is a lot riding on this one integral software solution that must integrate seamlessly into many different parts of the production process. Plus it’s extremely challenging to calculate the ROI, because of the fact that it is a software solution. How would you like to be able to compare and analyze a variety of different MIS?  A new Technology Bulletin just released from the Center for Technology and Research, the 2014 Printing Industries of America Survey of Management Information Systems,  profiles 49 different software programs. We asked each vendor to dish all of the details on their software so you can compare them side by side. The result is more than 300 pages of invaluable data to help you choose the right MIS to gain new efficiencies and a greater ROI. Solutions You Need to Know Section one lets you see the actual survey results from all 49 vendors. From accounting and estimating functions to real-time data collection, this feedback is especially helpful in getting a comprehensive understanding of each vendor’s capabilities. Then, in section two, all that data is collated into a convenient overview of all of the companies. Break It Down Many printers have specific needs that their new MIS must meet, whether it’s cost, specific functionality, operating system compatibility, and so forth. Each MIS is broken down based on these different criteria to allow you to directly compare based on the needs of your operation. Case Studies and User Feedback Before making this important purchase decision, become a better-informed buyer. New for 2014, the MIS Survey also provides additional resources with company case studies and customer testimonials. You can also read vendor white papers and press releases on the software.                 The 2014 MIS Survey is available free for Printing Industries of America members at www.printing.org/free(you must be logged in to our website as a...

As printing companies expand, sooner or later, they outgrow their Management Information System (MIS). Software must meet current needs by providing e-commerce, file submission, and more end-to-end solutions. If you’ve ever had to purchase a new MIS, you know it can be a daunting task. There is a lot riding on this one integral software solution that must integrate seamlessly into many different parts of the production process. Plus it’s extremely challenging to calculate the ROI, because of the fact that it is a software solution. How would you like to be able to compare and analyze a variety of different MIS?  A new Technology Bulletin just released from the Center for Technology and Research, the 2014 Printing Industries of America Survey of Management Information Systems,  profiles 49 different software programs. We asked each vendor to dish all of the details on their software so you can compare them side by side. The result is more than 300 pages of invaluable data to help you choose the right MIS to gain new efficiencies and a greater ROI. Solutions You Need to Know Section one lets you see the actual survey results from all 49 vendors. From accounting and estimating functions to real-time data collection, this feedback is especially helpful in getting a comprehensive understanding of each vendor’s capabilities. Then, in section two, all that data is collated into a convenient overview of all of the companies. Break It Down Many printers have specific needs that their new MIS must meet, whether it’s cost, specific functionality, operating system compatibility, and so forth. Each MIS is broken down based on these different criteria to allow you to directly compare based on the needs of your operation. Case Studies and User Feedback Before making this important purchase decision, become a better-informed buyer. New for 2014, the MIS Survey also provides additional resources with company case studies and customer testimonials. You can also read vendor white papers and press releases on the software.                 The 2014 MIS Survey is available free for Printing Industries of America members at www.printing.org/free(you must be logged in to our website as a...

From solid management practices to financial security to work-life balance, there are considerable elements that go into creating a successful, profitable workplace environment. Although each company is different, the industry’s Best Workplaces do share distinctive commonalities. The parallels allow these companies to recruit and retain qualified workers—people who are more satisfied with their jobs and, therefore, more productive and efficient. Greater efficiency leads to increased profitability and a greater competitive edge.  What if you could get behind the scenes and see what these leading companies are doing? How competitive are their wages and benefits? How do they handle health care issues? What employee training methods do they use? What incentive programs are working for them? Each year the Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) program judges companies based on eight main areas: management practices, work environment, training and development opportunities, recognition and rewards, workplace health and safety, health and well-being programs, financial security, and work-life balance. The practices of winning firms—the top HR programs in the industry—are compiled in the Key HR Metrics report.  Enter the 2014 Best Workplace in the Americas program to showcase your company’s superior HR program.) Here’s your chance to go behind the curtain of the printing industry’s top companies. Take a look at these highlights from the 2013 HR Metrics Survey and see the practices of your competitors: Management practices Sexual harassment training for all staff members should be performed every 24 months, and new hires should receive training during orientation. Provide written job descriptions and annual performance reviews for all employees. (For Americans with Disabilities Act purposes, job descriptions ideally should have “essential functions” noted on job descriptions.) How many women and minorities hold management positions in your organization? Top companies have comparable numbers to the national average. (Find current averages at www.eeoc.gov.) Work environment And how about your turnover rate? Strive for 8.4% or lower. Training and development opportunities Cross-train employees. A total of 89% of BWA winners had more than 80% of their staff trained across a range of areas. Create a succession plan for an aging workforce. Seventy-four percent of BWA firms  had succession plans for senior managers, 59% for key managers, and 56% for key non-managerial employees. Recognition and rewards Incentivize employees. Well-designed plans will pay off and increase profitability and efficiency. (The 2013 Wage and Benefits Surveycompiles successful ideas from more than 500 companies.) Develop employee recognition programs. You can find customizable certificates here. Workplace health and safety To keep your injury and illness rate low, you may want to institute a Safety Committee with a mix of hourly and managerial employees. If your company has persistent injuries and illnesses, address the issues with a targeted training program....

From solid management practices to financial security to work-life balance, there are considerable elements that go into creating a successful, profitable workplace environment. Although each company is different, the industry’s Best Workplaces do share distinctive commonalities. The parallels allow these companies to recruit and retain qualified workers—people who are more satisfied with their jobs and, therefore, more productive and efficient. Greater efficiency leads to increased profitability and a greater competitive edge.  What if you could get behind the scenes and see what these leading companies are doing? How competitive are their wages and benefits? How do they handle health care issues? What employee training methods do they use? What incentive programs are working for them? Each year the Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) program judges companies based on eight main areas: management practices, work environment, training and development opportunities, recognition and rewards, workplace health and safety, health and well-being programs, financial security, and work-life balance. The practices of winning firms—the top HR programs in the industry—are compiled in the Key HR Metrics report.  Enter the 2014 Best Workplace in the Americas program to showcase your company’s superior HR program.) Here’s your chance to go behind the curtain of the printing industry’s top companies. Take a look at these highlights from the 2013 HR Metrics Survey and see the practices of your competitors: Management practices Sexual harassment training for all staff members should be performed every 24 months, and new hires should receive training during orientation. Provide written job descriptions and annual performance reviews for all employees. (For Americans with Disabilities Act purposes, job descriptions ideally should have “essential functions” noted on job descriptions.) How many women and minorities hold management positions in your organization? Top companies have comparable numbers to the national average. (Find current averages at www.eeoc.gov.) Work environment And how about your turnover rate? Strive for 8.4% or lower. Training and development opportunities Cross-train employees. A total of 89% of BWA winners had more than 80% of their staff trained across a range of areas. Create a succession plan for an aging workforce. Seventy-four percent of BWA firms  had succession plans for senior managers, 59% for key managers, and 56% for key non-managerial employees. Recognition and rewards Incentivize employees. Well-designed plans will pay off and increase profitability and efficiency. (The 2013 Wage and Benefits Surveycompiles successful ideas from more than 500 companies.) Develop employee recognition programs. You can find customizable certificates here. Workplace health and safety To keep your injury and illness rate low, you may want to institute a Safety Committee with a mix of hourly and managerial employees. If your company has persistent injuries and illnesses, address the issues with a targeted training program....

From solid management practices to financial security to work-life balance, there are considerable elements that go into creating a successful, profitable workplace environment. Although each company is different, the industry’s Best Workplaces do share distinctive commonalities. The parallels allow these companies to recruit and retain qualified workers—people who are more satisfied with their jobs and, therefore, more productive and efficient. Greater efficiency leads to increased profitability and a greater competitive edge.  What if you could get behind the scenes and see what these leading companies are doing? How competitive are their wages and benefits? How do they handle health care issues? What employee training methods do they use? What incentive programs are working for them? Each year the Best Workplace in the Americas (BWA) program judges companies based on eight main areas: management practices, work environment, training and development opportunities, recognition and rewards, workplace health and safety, health and well-being programs, financial security, and work-life balance. The practices of winning firms—the top HR programs in the industry—are compiled in the Key HR Metrics report.  Enter the 2014 Best Workplace in the Americas program to showcase your company’s superior HR program.) Here’s your chance to go behind the curtain of the printing industry’s top companies. Take a look at these highlights from the 2013 HR Metrics Survey and see the practices of your competitors: Management practices Sexual harassment training for all staff members should be performed every 24 months, and new hires should receive training during orientation. Provide written job descriptions and annual performance reviews for all employees. (For Americans with Disabilities Act purposes, job descriptions ideally should have “essential functions” noted on job descriptions.) How many women and minorities hold management positions in your organization? Top companies have comparable numbers to the national average. (Find current averages at www.eeoc.gov.) Work environment And how about your turnover rate? Strive for 8.4% or lower. Training and development opportunities Cross-train employees. A total of 89% of BWA winners had more than 80% of their staff trained across a range of areas. Create a succession plan for an aging workforce. Seventy-four percent of BWA firms  had succession plans for senior managers, 59% for key managers, and 56% for key non-managerial employees. Recognition and rewards Incentivize employees. Well-designed plans will pay off and increase profitability and efficiency. (The 2013 Wage and Benefits Surveycompiles successful ideas from more than 500 companies.) Develop employee recognition programs. You can find customizable certificates here. Workplace health and safety To keep your injury and illness rate low, you may want to institute a Safety Committee with a mix of hourly and managerial employees. If your company has persistent injuries and illnesses, address the issues with a targeted training program....