By Ed Avis
Reprographics companies have specific needs in their back-end software. Some use a variety of software packages to keep things running, while others use one or two packages that do everything. Regardless of the set-up, most shop owners are reasonably satisfied with their systems, according to an APDSP survey two weeks ago. This contrasts to a 2017 survey on the same topic, in which about half of respondents disliked their systems. (Click here to read the 2017 survey results.)
Forty-three reprographics shop owners responded to the recent survey, 36 of whom answered questions about their back-end software. Of those who responded to the question, “Are you satisfied with your back-end software?” with an answer that could be clearly classified as either “yes” or “no,” two-thirds of respondents said "yes."
The survey also asked them what software they use. The four most popular systems were MVS Alliance (6 users); e-Automate (6 users); Thoroughbred (5 users); and Cyrious (either Control or Corebridge) (5 users). In addition, five users said they prefer Microsoft Dynamics, even though that package is not specific to reprographics. Other systems receiving multiple votes were EFi Printsmith, DocketManager, and printIQ. Respondents were invited to select more than one system, since some of them are not comprehensive.
Specifics
Here are some details about how respondents liked or disliked their systems:
MVS Alliance: Of the six respondents who said they use this software, only four answered the question about satisfaction. Two of them said yes, they are satisfied. One said no, and the fourth complained about the support and the expense to maintain the system.
e-Automate: This software is mostly used for managing equipment sales and service contracts, not for overall repro business management. Of the six users of this product, four answered the satisfaction question. Of them one said yes, satisfied. The other three had various issues with the program, ranging from problems with CRM integration to an inability to help with retail reprographics sales.
Thoroughbred: Of this company’s five users who responded to the survey, three unequivocally said they are satisfied. Of the other two, one respondent said the software’s ability to integrate with current technologies is “lacking,” and the other wrote: “T-Bred was lacking in a few ways (didn't like batch processing, very lacking for graphics, lacking for managing equipment) so we are moving to PrintIQ for graphics and repro, and moving to Miracle Service for managing our equipment department.”
Cyrious: Five respondents said they use Cyrious, but only three of them replied to the question about satisfaction. All of them said they are satisfied, though one said, “…cost to maintain is significant.”
Microsoft Dynamics: Of the five of the respondents who use this software, four said yes, they’re satisfied and the fifth did not answer that question.
What’s Next?
APDSP is helping members decide which software to deploy with a two-part educational program in November. The first part will be two webinars featuring current users of the six most popular software packages discussing their likes and dislikes; and the second part will be a white paper that lists the details of all of the most popular systems and comments from end users. Stay tuned for details about this educational program. (If you would like to contribute your comments about the system you use, please email Ed Avis at ed.avis@apdsp.org)