Who has the best all-around package for web-to-print?

[craiglpress]

There are at least 20 web-to-print solutions on the market, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. To select the best solution for your organization, you should…
- define your company’s requirements
- benchmark your requirements against the available products
- come up with a short list of 4-6 fitting products
- request demonstrations using pre-defined demonstration scripts that emulate your requirements

Here are the top 20 web-to-print solutions in our product advisory database http://www.profectus.com/services/itselect.htm :
- Bitstream Inc. / Pageflex, http://www.bitstream.com
- EFI - Digital StoreFront , http://ww.efi.com
- Enterprise Print Management Solutions, http://www.entpms.com
- EonCode, Inc., http://www.eoncode.com
- FORIX, LLC / Printbridge, http://www.forixusa.com
- GMC Software Technology Inc. - PrintNet, http://www.gmc.net
- KODAK INSITE Storefront System, http://graphics1.kodak.com/
- Lucid Dream Software, Inc. , http://www.tribalsketch.com
- NowDocs - NowPrint, http://www.nowdocs.com
- Objectif Lune Inc., http://www.objectiflune.com
- PageDNA, Inc., http://www.pagedna.com
- Press-Sense Ltd. - iWay Enterprise, http://www.press-sense.com
- Print-Quotes Software Inc., http://www.print-quotes-software.com
- Printable Technologies, Inc., http://www.printable.com
- RedTie Ltd, http://www.red-tie.com
- Responsive Solutions Inc., http://www.responsivesolutions.net
- RocketPrint Software, http://www.RocketPrintsoftware.com
- Saepio Technologies, Inc. - PrintStore, http://www.saepio.com
- Screen USA - Riteportal SE, http://www.screenusa.com
- XMPie Inc., http://xmpie.com

[Helene Smith]

Here's some basic source material from PIA/GATF:

http://www.gain.net/eweb/DynamicPage...c-310d27302e8e

[ezprint]

We went through and checked out a lot of sites whe nwe were in the process of redesigning our site a year and1/2 ago and realized there are a lot of features various sites have but nothing that was customized to what we needed , so we started from scratch and designed our programs /apps etc.

It takes a bit more time to get up and running, but at least you know your site will function customized to how you need it to function.

Before redesign, the boss checked into some print sites that boasted of coming designed with bells and whistles and cost was around $30,000 for basics, and went up in price based on any customization. This , plus the idea that the code and structure was unknown - what if you wanted to change something, tie one or more things together? There were so many 'IFs' that we started from scratch and was better for (especially me the web guy) because then you know exactly what you have and how to make or change any of it when things expand, change, etc.

The original site from years back was similar to many print sites still out there - where as they just make a table data list of products and prices and it scrolls and scrolls along the page. The boss was looking at the new instant quote calculators o nsome sites and liked the idea, but wanted to go in a different direction with his own options for products etc. I was off wandering the Internet ocean, scrambling a bunch of ideas that were in many different categories on my own.. and got hired to do this. I thought "printing?..what the heck do i know about printing?!"
But after a lot of studying, researching blahblah.. I learned a lot about printing, the process, the history, machines and then was able to understand what they actually needed on their site. Using PHP/MySQL and AJAX - I came up with the 'Instant Pricing' calculators on the ezprintsolutions site.

The idea was to get rid of the billion page refreshes / reloads to recalculate price everytime somebody clicked on an option, but yet he wanted it so it was not scrolling down the side where a customer would have to throttle the scroll bar back and forth to see it.

If you're looking for stuff like that , I would go with PHP / MYSQL and AJAX (some might say .asp) but, hey i dont use .asp and dont care about .asp lol , so i couldnt help you with that. Its preference of program language, but with PHP and AJAX you can eliminate all the annoying page reloads everytime people click a button.

Hope that helps give you an idea - because awhile back we were trying to brainstorm the same things .

[david]

TribalSketch is making some very nice impressions at printer sites now! It is a custom designed package that comes at a very affordable price! The main web interface is developed using Ruby on Rails and MySQL and is easy to customize for your look and feel. TribalSketch has a tremendous online design tool! The Flash based design allows true freestyle page layout in a browser. It is connected to our new "Flip Proof" system to produce real "paper" style of browser based proofing that you can turn the pages right in your browser. The site manages user designs very well and new features are coming very rapidly. We are live at printer sites now and welcome your feedback.

[PantherMac]

We have the printables technology solution. Not the greatest, but it did allow us to get up and running quickly, and some of the pricing issues I've heard about bitstream kinda suck (they get a cut of every order?).
I'll be happy to answer any detailed questions, but can't really recommend them for or against (but will say it works).

- Mac

[Sam Shea]

The following website profiles over 40 different web-enabled printing solutions and provides some other general info on web2print:

Web to Print Test Drive Center

[steppy]

Has anyone looked at Web2Print products from Online Printing Solutions?

Would love to get some opinions.

<p>
stephen grayman <br />
<a href="http://www.braintreeprinting.com/" >Braintree Printing : Welcome</a>

[Ritter]

Is anyone using Printable? Given they are partners with nearly every major vendor I'd like to hear some user experiences.

[Bart Lammertyn]

A million providers ... no standard according to me.

At ADAM Software we have a different view on Web2Print. Web2Print is according to us a Process based application which we base on our core business, development of a DAM Platform.

Key things needed : Management of users and rights, management of templates, open platform (.NET with documented API) for integration with any ERP System for pricing, planning, ... Integrated Business Process Management System, customers can develope any interface to serve their needs, ...

[UniversalPrinting]

I have started looking for web to print solutions myself and so far RocketQuotes seems to something I am interestedin pursuing further. I certainly like PageFlex but the investment is way beyond reach.

I read a few posts that spoke highly of RocketQuotes but anyone out there have a bad experience?

I have also checked into PrinterOrder.com but they do not seem to be in any list of providers in the industry that I have come across. Anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks