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...

Are you one of the hundreds of entrepreneurial startup companies that has developed an innovative technology this year? Now that you’ve invested resources into product development, a solid marketing strategy is critical if you want to earn an ROI. Printing Industries of America provides technical support to countless industry members, and we’ve seen that many of them share a big challenge—getting their technology in front of the right customers. Small startups may have fewer resources to devote to sales and marketing, while some larger companies are searching for new or additional avenues to get in front of their target audience. Although we can’t give you the magical marketing plan that is going to catapult your brand new technology to market success, we can provide some vital core tactics. Here are five essential strategies to keep in mind. 1.   Create a marketing plan. Though it may seem like an obvious step, it’s one many companies fail to plan out completely. Ensure you are strategically assessing all the angles. What is the target market for this product? Who are our competitors?  What is our total budget? What makes our product unique? Essentially be sure to conduct a comprehensive Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. Finalize a solid strategy that meets your main objectives. 2.   Research different promotional avenues.To reach a wider audience, some companies may need to take another look at their marketing promotions. At the core, a media mix that integrates print and digital communication mediums, such as email, direct mail, and social media, is most effective. But are you missing out on other ways to reach your target customer? To make your product stand out from the competition, you may want to try entering relevant industry award programs. Those like the InterTech ™ Technology Awards, which recognizes innovative technologies, can provide valuable, industry-wide exposure and positive PR. 3.   Set your launch date and stick to it.You’ve done extensive research and made a creative plan to strategically promote your product. You know that a launch date helps keep you and your team on track by providing a deadline to work with. Even though some of the best laid plans can still go awry, remind your project leaders that sticking firmly to this date motivates the team to stay focused and in control of the project. 4.   Network, network, network!Like most things in life, success really is all about who you know. Companies that spent time widening their social circle can get more face-to-face time with potential clients. Attend conferences, trade shows, and other professional events relative to your business to make valuable connections. Other professional networking resources include industry forums, LinkedIn groups, and listservs. 5.   Stay focused on your...

Are you one of the hundreds of entrepreneurial startup companies that has developed an innovative technology this year? Now that you’ve invested resources into product development, a solid marketing strategy is critical if you want to earn an ROI. Printing Industries of America provides technical support to countless industry members, and we’ve seen that many of them share a big challenge—getting their technology in front of the right customers. Small startups may have fewer resources to devote to sales and marketing, while some larger companies are searching for new or additional avenues to get in front of their target audience. Although we can’t give you the magical marketing plan that is going to catapult your brand new technology to market success, we can provide some vital core tactics. Here are five essential strategies to keep in mind. 1.   Create a marketing plan. Though it may seem like an obvious step, it’s one many companies fail to plan out completely. Ensure you are strategically assessing all the angles. What is the target market for this product? Who are our competitors?  What is our total budget? What makes our product unique? Essentially be sure to conduct a comprehensive Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. Finalize a solid strategy that meets your main objectives. 2.   Research different promotional avenues.To reach a wider audience, some companies may need to take another look at their marketing promotions. At the core, a media mix that integrates print and digital communication mediums, such as email, direct mail, and social media, is most effective. But are you missing out on other ways to reach your target customer? To make your product stand out from the competition, you may want to try entering relevant industry award programs. Those like the InterTech ™ Technology Awards, which recognizes innovative technologies, can provide valuable, industry-wide exposure and positive PR. 3.   Set your launch date and stick to it.You’ve done extensive research and made a creative plan to strategically promote your product. You know that a launch date helps keep you and your team on track by providing a deadline to work with. Even though some of the best laid plans can still go awry, remind your project leaders that sticking firmly to this date motivates the team to stay focused and in control of the project. 4.   Network, network, network!Like most things in life, success really is all about who you know. Companies that spent time widening their social circle can get more face-to-face time with potential clients. Attend conferences, trade shows, and other professional events relative to your business to make valuable connections. Other professional networking resources include industry forums, LinkedIn groups, and listservs. 5.   Stay focused on your...

You’re looking for more ways to optimize your workflow to stay competitive and turn a profit. As technology expands, however, so do your choices in printing methods. When deciding on a printing method, offset printing and digital printing offer plenty of their own advantages and disadvantages. Offset printing success depends largely on the optimized speed and efficiency of both your machinery and operators to achieve ISO 12647-2 and G7® qualifications. While digital allows for shorter variable runs, it does not always reproduce the high image quality associated with offset. So how do you choose a method? To help kick start your decision, here is a quick look at the advantages in offset vs. digital printing: Offset High image quality Lower cost-per-unit as quantities increase Wider range of substrates and finishes More accurate color match for Pantone® inks (Need a tip? Take a look at these “5 Best Bets for Your Offset Press: If You Can’t Measure It, You Can’t Control It!”) Digital Customization Quicker turnaround and delivery time Four-color process printing Accurate color proofing No matter the type of printing you use, to stay competitive your work must be virtually flawless—your press crew and equipment all have to run like a well-oiled machine! Therefore, we want to offer a solution. There’s a valuable training program coming this fall designed to help you optimize your offset printing. Take advantage of Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize, November 5–7, 2013, part of Printing Industries of America’s reputable training programs.In this popular hands-on workshop, you get to see how to meet ISO 12647-2 and G7® print quality in a live pressroom setting. Learn how to troubleshoot problems, control print components, and optimize your press performance for consistent quality and less waste. Led by experienced industry veterans, Lloyd DeJidas, Director, Graphic Services and Facility Manager, and Greg Workman, Pressroom and Bindery Supervisor and consultant for the Center for Technology and Research, you will get the tools and techniques you need to slash makeready time and accelerate press performance. Registration is open for Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize, November 5–7, 2013, at Printing Industries of America headquarters, Pittsburgh, PA. For information on offset printing and more, including cost calculators, technology articles, and white papers, visit the Free from Center for Technology and...

You’re looking for more ways to optimize your workflow to stay competitive and turn a profit. As technology expands, however, so do your choices in printing methods. When deciding on a printing method, offset printing and digital printing offer plenty of their own advantages and disadvantages. Offset printing success depends largely on the optimized speed and efficiency of both your machinery and operators to achieve ISO 12647-2 and G7® qualifications. While digital allows for shorter variable runs, it does not always reproduce the high image quality associated with offset. So how do you choose a method? To help kick start your decision, here is a quick look at the advantages in offset vs. digital printing: Offset High image quality Lower cost-per-unit as quantities increase Wider range of substrates and finishes More accurate color match for Pantone® inks (Need a tip? Take a look at these “5 Best Bets for Your Offset Press: If You Can’t Measure It, You Can’t Control It!”) Digital Customization Quicker turnaround and delivery time Four-color process printing Accurate color proofing No matter the type of printing you use, to stay competitive your work must be virtually flawless—your press crew and equipment all have to run like a well-oiled machine! Therefore, we want to offer a solution. There’s a valuable training program coming this fall designed to help you optimize your offset printing. Take advantage of Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize, November 5–7, 2013, part of Printing Industries of America’s reputable training programs.In this popular hands-on workshop, you get to see how to meet ISO 12647-2 and G7® print quality in a live pressroom setting. Learn how to troubleshoot problems, control print components, and optimize your press performance for consistent quality and less waste. Led by experienced industry veterans, Lloyd DeJidas, Director, Graphic Services and Facility Manager, and Greg Workman, Pressroom and Bindery Supervisor and consultant for the Center for Technology and Research, you will get the tools and techniques you need to slash makeready time and accelerate press performance. Registration is open for Extreme Offset: Troubleshoot, Control, Optimize, November 5–7, 2013, at Printing Industries of America headquarters, Pittsburgh, PA. For information on offset printing and more, including cost calculators, technology articles, and white papers, visit the Free from Center for Technology and...

An Interview with Keith Whistler, Technology and Research Analyst The expert consultants for our Center for Technology and Research have one main feature in common: qualifying experience and the drive to help companies find solutions. More than a dozen full-time and external consultants are available to support members in all facets of printing operations. The goal is to help firms improve their operational performance and competitive position. So just how do these business-saving experts and consultants help your company? We talked to one of our consultants, Keith Whisler, who lends his expertise in offset and digital printing, color management, and operational issues. With two decades in commercial printing, it’s safe to say he has a vast amount of experience and knowledge. But it is his holistic perspective from a customer’s point of view that really sets him apart. Take a look at how Keith’s experiences taught him how to overcome challenges and how he now applies his talent to printing companies like yours. Q: What is your background in this field, and how has this has enabled you to become a successful consultant? Keith: Experience. I have more than 20 years in commercial printing, providing a great perspective on our customer’s position. Having been a customer much of my career, my experiences remain fresh. This helps me understand their circumstances and challenges.   My background ranges from prepress to plant manager, so I also have insight on different layers within an organization (operator to top management). I have been in management for more than 18 years.  My work has always been technology focused with an emphasis on deploying new systems, including identification, purchasing, implementation, and training.  I have a strong background in IT and prepress, enabling me to move technology into other areas of manufacturing, such as the press and finishing departments. I honed my problem-solving skills because I have always been in areas where I had no choice but to find a way to overcome challenges. Q:  What is your current role with our consulting team?  Keith: Technology and Research Analyst, which includes consulting, training, presentations, product testing, writing articles, and developing process improvement tools. I stay abreast of industry trends and technology developments and relay that information to our members and the industry. With an ever-changing environment like printing, it is vital to incorporate these changes in resources that can benefit the industry, such as updated training material, reference articles, and consultation services. For example, one recent project was to explore the technology of vision inspection, and how it will increasingly be used in the printing industry. I’ll also be giving a presentation on wide-format inkjet at PRINT 13. Q: What are some of the highlights of your consulting experiences? Keith: Printing Industries of America provides great resources to their consultants. I recently earned the G7 Expert and...