Understand your needs

Essential elements: The minimum set of capabilities needed to implement a useful Print MIS solution to meet your needs right now
Enhanced requirements: The set of features which would help your business today, but which you will implement after the system is in place and running
Future needs: The capabilities you expect to need in the future as your business grows and changes

It is necessary to do some internal research about your operation before you begin so that you understand your overall situation and why you need a new Print MIS system.

We find that the people who are most satisfied with their Print MIS decisions are the ones who can see the big picture of how their new solution will help their business rather than those who merely upgrade an older system.

ASSESS YOUR CURRENT MIS SYSTEM

You already have a functioning business. Take a close look at the MIS system you are using to run it today. What works well with your existing software? What do you find to be awkward, frustrating, or time-consuming? What must-have features do you regularly use? What is missing?

EXAMINE YOUR PROCESSES

To err is human, to completely mess things up takes a computer. You do not want to automate your existing problems! Look at how you handle work and how you can streamline your processes. Workflow processes often evolve from one person’s habits or are workarounds to existing system constraints. You have an opportunity to change the way you work and to become more efficient. An excellent way to accomplish this is by performing a workflow analysis to identify every touch and the amount of time required for each task from order reception through shipping, billing, and reporting.

RESEARCH AND BENCHMARK

Understand the Print MIS options you have and ask similar printers or in-plants for their perspectives on their Print MIS system implementation, daily usage, and realized benefits. Printers are rarely shy in sharing their experiences implementing systems like these with their peers and will often happily tell war stories and provide advice.