Anyone running a successful print business today, should be in the know about MIS software. In comparison to the print industry itself, MIS software is still a relatively recent development, however, it’s something which has been making huge improvements for many print businesses the world over. For those not in the know yet, MIS stands for Management Information System. MIS software refers to a type of software designed to help organisations manage and process various types of information to support decision-making, streamline operations, and improve overall efficiency. In the context of a print business, MIS software can play a crucial role in optimising processes, managing resources, and enhancing customer satisfaction. To help you understand more about how MIS software can help a print business, we have put together a handy guide.
Accessible order management and tracking
MIS software makes light work of order processing. From initial customer requests to final product delivery. It helps in creating, tracking, and managing orders, ensuring that all relevant information is captured accurately and that orders are processed efficiently. If you run a print business then you’ll be aware of how many human touch points there are in just the creation of a single job, so automating this can save precious time to be utilised elsewhere in the business.
In addition to the order management, MIS software can create production schedules, allocate resources, and track job progress. This helps in meeting deadlines and managing workloads effectively – something that can be otherwise an unknown without this specialised software.
Production of accurate quotes and invoicing
Even a simple MIS software setup can generate accurate estimates and quotes for customers based on various factors such as materials, labour, finishing, and other costs. This helps in providing transparent pricing and ensuring profitability – something that is a growing concern in today’s financial climate.
Furthermore, producing more accurate invoices, based on order details and materials used, becomes a possibility with the addition of MIS software. It helps in keeping track of financial transactions and ensures timely and accurate billing – removing the requirement for human interaction and monthly reminders.
Effortless resource planning and workflow
Running a print business, you’ll be more than aware of the careful resource planning that is involved, including materials, labour, and equipment. Instead of investigating this and trying to stay on top of keeping manual records, MIS software helps in tracking inventory levels, managing material requirements, and scheduling production tasks to optimise resource utilisation.
MIS reduces manual intervention and the potential for errors by automating various stages of the print production process. It can automate tasks such as job routing, scheduling, and job status tracking. All these processes can take mere minutes for a human, but when added together on a job by job, day by day basis, this adds up to a huge saving of time – which can be invested elsewhere to improve and grow the business. By providing insights into the costs associated with various production processes, MIS software enables businesses to identify areas for cost reduction and better pricing strategies.
Data Analytics, Reporting and Quality Control
Quality control is an essential function for any print business. But it can be time consuming and therefore costly. MIS software can incorporate quality control checks and standards throughout the production process, ensuring that the final products meet the desired quality standards.
With the ability to gather and analyse data related to production, sales, costs, and other key performance indicators, MIS software can turn this data into insightful reports that help management make informed decisions to improve business operations. In comparison, manual record keeping can be limited, not to mention, slow – which hinders businesses from making progress and profits.
Improving customer experience
Customer loyalty is everything in today’s competitive market, when all any customer has to do is go online and look for another service. So, any software that can help improve customer experience should be investigated, as the ROI on this will likely be worth it. MIS software often includes customer relationship management (CRM) features that allow businesses to manage customer information, track interactions, and provide a more personalised experience. This can enhance customer satisfaction and retention – something not to be sniffed at!
Integration to connect your business
With the ability to integrate with other software systems, such as design software, accounting software, and e-commerce platforms, MIS software solutions can create a seamless workflow across a variety of departments and connect your business in a way that was never possible before. Integration can also be achievable with large trade printers, which allows smaller print businesses to manage ordering between themselves and a trade printer, much more coherently and without the necessity of human touch points.
A note on automation
While there might be concerns about automation and job displacement, the introduction of MIS systems can have a variety of impacts on the workforce that can actually be positive in many cases. Companies that proactively manage the transition, involve employees in the process, and provide support for upskilling tends to minimise any negative impacts on the workforce. Rather than solely focusing on job displacement, businesses should consider how MIS systems can create new opportunities, improve job satisfaction, and contribute to overall business growth.
Flex4 OPS – A platform for Print Industry progression
At Flex4 OPS, we are constantly seeking ways to help make our clients businesses run more smoothly. Talk to us today about your print business pains and let us help figure out how we can work with you to find a solution. Working alongside print businesses for over 15 years, we are specialists in a variety of software solutions for the print industry.