The purpose of Management Information Systems (MIS) software is to link the production-specific systems in a wide-format print shop with the financial and logistical functions of the business. The use of print MIS software reduces duplication of effort and the likelihood of errors between initial sale, order confirmation and scheduling, production, fulfilment, billing and analysis. In addition to improving levels of customer service through more accurate job specification, quoting, scheduling and visibility of progress throughout the cycle, MIS can bring a number of benefits within the large-format print service operation.
Various advantages and uses of MIS print software:
This software is the best for production scheduling and capacity optimisation. While production scheduling in the workflow context is concerned with queuing or batching work for printers so that the print production load is planned to meet customer deadlines. Other than this, the wider task of allocating personnel and other resources across all stages of production is often overlooked by scheduling boards, spreadsheets or manual systems, this system does not let it happen. Delivery of the finished product is often affected more by the processes following print production than by the printing itself.
Bottlenecks related to collating, cutting, sewing, packaging, delivery and assembly can result in delays, overtime, cost overruns and dissatisfied customers, even though the printing was perfect. The continuing trend towards shorter runs and a larger number of jobs to manage to make effective scheduling more important than ever. More sophisticated scheduling systems and print MIS systems can optimise multiple work centres, creating a plan based on a combination of time and cost priorities. Smart systems can sequence work according to set-up and production requirements. They may use real-time data from the shopfloor to update the schedule with up-to-the-minute production status information.
Other uses of print MIS system:
Automated analysis can rapidly provide a revised production schedule in response to such changes, which can be delivered to all work centres as a run list with new priorities. Inventory can also be managed through the print MIS system. For maximum efficiency in both logistics and cashflow, the large format print service provider needs to adopt the just-in-time principle widely used in manufacturing. This ensures that stocks of consumables are maintained at levels that match the throughput of work but without over-ordering and having to warehouse and pay for materials that won’t be used for days or weeks. It is useful to be able to project consumable requirements based on existing stocks, confirmed orders and quotes as well as to reconcile these against recorded usage.
