Your recommendation on Management Informaiton Systems (MIS)

[kburas]

Dzien dobry Karol,

I've just visited Hiflex with my CEO, and we were very impressed by the "smoke' you describe, can we discuss this a little deeper, I mean wich aspect are just bluff ?

Hi!

I have to confess that I was too harsh on my blog. Mainly my irritations towards HIFLEX come from specific functions (target speed requirements on job ticket) we use in Poland that have been tricky programmed into our OA. We expected to have them right away available in HIFLEX as well. But that was not the case.

For us in Poland that is a key function and a "must-have". Nowever, in the meantime HIFLEX has indicated that the programming of this takes them 16 hours. So we are back on track.

We just started implementation process and received first admin training (with two more admin training sessions to come). It has a lot of possiblities and positive is that HIFLEX is not holding back any secret knowledge. So there is a lot to learn.

Our reason for going for HIFLEX was the openness e.g. JDF (to my knowledge the most experienced system when it comes to JDF integration) and the API interface (based on industry standard XML/SOAP) that gives us great functionality and possibility to access the system from webservices and even customer systems.

Karol

[Alien]

Hi everyone.
We just begin to implement HIFLEX on our interprise (book printing - Roland 705, three Roland 904, two roll feed).
On Prepress we use Kodak Prinergy Connect and Kodak Preps.
Could someone send me jdf for testing?

Thanks in advance

[mattbeals]

I have a customer who uses Avanti and just loves it. They've got estimating, scheduling, etc in the system along with data collection for their in plant operation. Maybe I can setup a email or phone call between you guys so you can talk direct.

[drcollins2]

Hi, anyone using Graphics Manager by Bard Solutions based in Toronto? Looks interesting for small company. Interested in any feedback or opinions of this.

Thanks

Dennis

[Joe]

I have a customer who uses Avanti and just loves it. They've got estimating, scheduling, etc in the system along with data collection for their in plant operation. Maybe I can setup a email or phone call between you guys so you can talk direct.

Matt,

Is Avanti Windows, Mac, both, or browser based?

[Dave Zamorski]

We had narrowed our search to Avanti, ePace and HiFlex as all have great demos and sales people. After much research we chose Avanti. The JDF integrations they have are actually "live" and running and not smoke and mirrors. AGS is a conventional and digital print provider. We utilize Kodak Prinergy, Creo Spire Rips, Xerox Process Manager and PageFlex which are all feeding in and out of Avanti. The latest succesful JDF extension Avanti created for us was with Creo to capture the clicks, paper, labor and etc off of our three iGens. We handle hundreds of line items per day with no human intervention until they leave the iGens. Capturing the information was paramount to tracking the actual cost associated with each job and automatically being recorded in our MIS. The invoicing module works well with our accounting software. We have reduced our estimating staff from 2 1/2 people to 1 person. The reps are capable of completing their own estimates in a matter of minutes. Avanti sells a moduler system so the cost compared to some of the other MIS systems was more than competitive. They are a JDF Compliant and Certified MIS system which fits perfectly with our workflows.

[steve@cssgroup.net]

CSS Group has a modular Database called DataManager. It has been in development for almost 20 years, and handles everything that you are looking for. CSS Group Home Page is the web site

Thanks
Steve
MAcKenzie

[cgl1962]

We are a mid-sized commercial printer trying to move on to the next level - automating what we have been doing manually (yes.. lots of hand work) like estimating, creating job tickets, handling shipping and logistics, invoicing, etc...

We have been looking into products from HIFLEX and EFI (ePace) but I wanted to know if there's anything out there that is reliable for smaller companies and the price range is - acceptable. We have tried implementing products from Printer's Plan and Franklin Estimating few years ago but have failed.

Basically, the biggest need we have here is getting an automated estimating system where prices can be generated with several clicks. And everthing else (like making job tickets, invoicing, handling shipping, etc) can all start from the price quote we generated. In other words, we need a reliable MIS involving our basic workflow - Estimating - PrePress - Press - Bindery - Shipping - Invoicing.

We are currently using Prinergy in PrePress, Akiyama Presses, MBO folders and QuickBooks for Accounting.

Any recommendations? Please advise.

Take a look at Estimatorcorp. Free trial with full program at Estimator download page.

[vaughng]

As mentioned earlier in the thread it depends on how big you are and how big you want to get. We are a commercial printer and finisher (book binding) in South Africa -[ Caxton ]- CTP printers Cape Town and run Shuttleworth MIS. See Shuttleworth Business Systems - Perfect for Print.

We have been running this system in its various versions for 12 years and it ticks almost all of the boxes.
- CRM
- Estimating
- Job work tickets
- Deliveries and Invoicing
- Job Scheduling & Shop floor data collection

My 2c
Regards
Vaughn

[Shibby07]

I would rule Franklin Estimating out for any size shop. Morning Flight is an excellent choice for a small shop and DHA for a large shop.