Print Estimating Software: A Comprehensive Guide
Overview:
Print estimating software is an invaluable tool that aids printing companies to predict the cost of a print job accurately. It allows printers to prepare quotations in a matter of minutes and helps them remain competitive in the market. In this article, we will provide an in-depth analysis of who uses the software, the benefits they derive, the features they need and the five best Print Estimating Software products.
Who Uses the Software?
Printing companies of all sizes need print estimating software for their business. Whether it is a one-person team or a large corporation, the software helps them improve their efficiency and reduce operational costs. Printing companies use print estimating software to prepare precise quotations, reduce human errors, and maintain a competitive edge in the market.
Benefits of the Software:
Time-saving: Print estimating software allows printing companies to prepare detailed quotations within minutes. This helps in processing more jobs and increasing turnaround times, ensuring projects are completed on time.
Cost-effective: With the help of print estimating software, printing companies can accurately predict their costs, ensuring they do not underestimate or overestimate costs. This ultimately helps them price their projects more competitively and optimize profits.
Reduced human error: By automating the estimation process, print estimating software significantly reduces the chance of human error.
Efficient job management: Print estimating software allows printing companies to track their projects’ progress at various stages, ensuring projects are efficiently managed and completed on time.
Features of the Software:
Quotation and estimation: Print estimating software provides accurate and detailed cost estimates for print projects. The software can also generate custom quotes that suit the company’s needs.
Job management: The software enables users to manage workflow easily, schedule jobs, and monitor their progress.
Inventory management: Print estimating software can track stock and inventory levels, ensuring materials are available when needed.
Reporting and analysis: The software provides users with real-time information on projects’ progress and helps identify the company’s strengths and weaknesses to improve its operations.
5 Examples of Print Estimating Software:
1. PrintPLANR (https://www.printplanr.com/)
PrintPLANR is a cloud-based print management software that helps printing companies manage their business operations effectively. The software offers features like quote and invoice generation, client and project management, inventory management, and more.
2. PrintSmith Vision (https://www.efi.com/products/efi-printsmith-vision/)
PrintSmith Vision is an end-to-end print management solution that offers features like quote and invoice generation, job tracking, and inventory management. The software is designed to cater to small and medium-sized printing companies.
3. Ordant (https://www.ordant.com/)
Ordant is a cloud-based print management software that offers features like estimating and pricing, job tracking, inventory management, and more. The software is designed to cater to commercial printing, sign-making, and digital printing companies.
4. Avanti Slingshot (https://avantisystems.com/slingshot/)
Avanti Slingshot is a cloud-based print management software that helps printing companies manage their operations more efficiently. The software offers features like job tracking, quote generation, inventory management, and more.
5. PressWise (https://www.presswise.com/)
PressWise is a cloud-based print management software that offers features like estimating and pricing, job tracking, inventory management, and more. The software is designed to cater to small and medium-sized printing companies.
How to Use Print Estimating Software:
Printing companies need to first choose a print estimating software that caters to their business needs. Once they have a software product, they need to set up the software, which may involve configuring the software with their inventory and stock data. Once the setup is completed, the software can be used to generate quotes, track jobs and manage inventory levels.
Drawbacks and Limitations of the Software:
Print estimating software is designed to help printing companies automate their estimation process. However, some software products may require a steep learning curve, and setup times may be longer than expected. Printing companies may also need to invest in additional hardware or software infrastructure, which may increase operating costs.
Conclusion:
Print estimating software has become an essential tool in the print industry, helping printing companies improve their efficiency, reduce human errors, and optimize profits. Print estimating software offers various features, including job management, inventory management and estimation, and pricing tools that are essential for printing company operations. Printing companies need to choose the right software that caters to their specific business needs to leverage software to its fullest potential.