Solihull-based Forms UK has started operating a print buying software system called OASIS, which it claims can pinpoint the most appropriate supplier for a job in seconds.


The system is based on the IBM AS400 and searches Forms UKs database of suppliers, which is constantly updated.
OASIS has the ability to analyse billions of calculations per second and identifies suppliers with the most competitive product and price.


Forms UKs senior procurement officer Ian Rogers said: Before we had the system you had to memorise which printers had what capabilities.
OASIS searches by maximum substrate thickness, number of colours, sheet size and finishing capabilities.
The system was tested for over a year and is constantly fed information on how suppliers are performing.


Rogers added: Its something weve wanted to do for a long time. It has only been made possible in the last couple of years because you can now get that amount of memory for a viable cost.


Forms UK has a turnover in excess of 20m and has recently won the print
management contract for Sainsburys. It also manages work for Jaguar, Halfords and Lunn Poly.


Story by John Davies