Virtual Organization
A computerized shop means an organized business. Find out what software is available for all areas of your operation.
By Chris Bauer
LONG GONE ARE the days of using a pegboard to track the production cycle of packaging jobs. Today it is imperative to have computer software in place not only to provide real-time tracking of jobs, but also for order entry, pricing, scheduling, fulfillment, data collection, inventory management, and estimating. There are a slew of computer management software companies out there serving the printing industry, yet the choices seem to thin out when looking for packaging-specific offerings.
"Although there are roughly 80 [printing] software firms, there are really only five or six firms that understand the packaging nuances and have made a decent attempt to make the software handle these unique needs," advises John Knowlton, director of marketing for PRIMAC Systems. "Flexographic roll label, folding carton, sheet label, and flexible packaging printers each have unique needs much different from each other and very different from normal commercial printers. This is particularly true in the areas of estimating, order processing, finished goods fulfillment, and inventory."
PRIMAC is a real-time, on-line, multi-user system, providing concurrent access to as many as 1,000 simultaneous users on multiple hardware platforms. Its new Production Scheduling system is designed to help complete the closed-loop production information system needed in today's just-in-time environment. The new system is integrated with PRIMAC's Job Costing system, Job Estimating system, Shop Floor Data Collection, and to PRIMAC's security access control functions. Phase 2 will add interfaces to Inventory and Purchasing. It also feeds data to PRIMAC's Executive Analyst system and to PRIMAC Explorer, both of which have real-time schedule inquiry functions.
Trying to modify a system inherently built for sheet and web commercial printers to fit package printers does not produce a system tailored to the real needs of these packaging firms, Knowlton says. The software vendor must do major work to tailor it, or the packaging user will have to make changes to the system to complete jobs effectively.
"We find that as far as scheduling needs are concerned, the distinction is merely a matter of scale," offers Mark Spraggett, vice president of marketing for MagnaPlan. "Our scheduling software is used by the world's largest commercial printers, as well as a myriad of package printing operations. Ultimately, it becomes a matter of customizing the software to meet the specific needs of each operation." MagnaPlan's software utilizes a Windows graphical front-end, with "drag and drop" features designed for easy use with an ordinary mouse.
"Primarily, package printing software differs in the area of estimating," contends Liam Bisson of CRC Information systems. "The estimating modules of CRC's software, known as THE System, are designed to accommodate these industry requirements." THE System and its modules are able to be totally customized, he says, while CRC's Machine Monitoring software can be used to automatically pull production information from varying types of equipment.
Software solutions
Another possibility for the packaging industry is Label Traxx from Tailored solutions. This job management software was specifically created for narrow-web flexo printers or printers specializing in in-line roll converting. Label Traxx is a cross-platform system, able to run on both Macintosh and Windows operating systems. It is composed of five modules designed to streamline communication and better manage print businesses. The modules are estimating, order processing invoicing, job costing, and stock products.
From M Data comes the PrintSmith management solution, which boasts a flexible pricing and estimating tool. As part of the estimating solution, Portable PrintSmith supports outside sales staff with portable estimating capabilities. It can also be remotely connected to an in-house master station from the field workstation. When not in use in the field, it can be connected to a PrintSmith multi-use environment and used as a workstation on the network.
Win with the Web
Printers report their customers want to submit quotes and orders via the net, view their finished goods, and see the shipping history and job status via the web. To meet these e-needs, most computer management system suppliers now offer some form of Internet-based software. One such company is InfoNet. Through InfoNet's Remote Access Interface, users can open an order or query a job's status by accessing their Web browser.
Harold Rapp, vice president of sales for Avanti Computer Systems, confides his company is anticipating the release of a new Web-based software package in the next six months. He concedes the original Avanti software for Web submissions had some flaws and is being updated. Packaging is the perfect printing application to use the Internet for job submissions, Rapp says, since there are high incidents of repeat jobs and job specs change less frequently. "Once you establish a package, it doesn't change every time," Rapp notes, adding this fact strengthens the appeal of Web-based software to the packaging industry.
Proving the important role the Internet plays in the print management game, three major figures in the computerized business software market merged with print industry e-commerce conglomerate printCafe earlier this year—Logic Associates, Hagen systems, and Programmed Solutions. Through printCafe, the entire printing process can be integrated and automated. Clients can choose a printer and spec every aspect of a job from prepress to fulfillment, while printers can receive orders, quote prices, and track job status in real time. Through Printellect, clients are guided through the process to help visualize, specify, and purchase printing. SimulSpec allows printers and buyers to view and edit projects simultaneously online. With printGroups, printers and buyers can collaborate across the network with co-workers and partners, with Web-based file access and sharing
