Intelligent use of technology must surely be one of the key differentiators when it comes to determining print's winners and losers.

Yesterday I wrote a story about some home-grown innovation in the shape of Technique's new iTechnique application. It was eye-opening to see a demonstration of the app in action, as I can well imagine how users will become hooked on having this 'mobile window' into the workings of their business.

Technique is perhaps best known at the volume end of print and the business has grown out of its highly-effective scheduling system. But it's now rebuilt its MIS system user server-based objects and cloud computing, and, with the addition of the iTechnique app, is targeting a broader use base that encompasses much smaller businesses than the web offset and gravure giants where it is already established. I'm watching closely to see how the market reacts to the new product, and whether CEO Paul Cooper can win over firms in the ?4m-plus turnover bracket.

Here on the small island we are blessed with a superabundance of home-grown MIS firms - I see Tharstern is on the road with its latest offerings even as I type - while across the big pond MIS behemoth EFI continues to grow via acquisition, with Prism its most recent conquest.

As it happens an app for EFI's Pace system is the only other MIS app in the Apple Store, although Cooper argues that the Technique offering has "game changing functionality" because it's fully functional all the way across the MIS, including repricing.

All of this should make for an interesting Graph Expo. And some thought-provoking conversations about where technology can take us, and MIS.