The commercial printer’s new Customer DashBoard has been developed in-house, and interacts with its EFI Pace MIS via an API. 

After beta testing with a number of clients, it has now gone live for all customers. 

Director Rob Cross said that while all customers still have a dedicated account manager available during the day, the DashBoard came about due to a “new era of print buyers” who want to be able to access real-time job status information no matter what day or time – such as proof of delivery at 9pm. 

“All customers are given a dashboard where they can upload artwork, approve proofs, view the status of their jobs in production and track a delivery 24 hours a day. In addition, customers can access a lot of information on their account,” he explained. 

The dashboard is browser based so can be accessed from a PC or mobile.

Cross said the firm aimed to expand the offering with extra functionality, such as one click ordering from their approved estimates, and live quotes. 

“Whilst some of the online printers may offer something similar we are not aware of any other print company in our arena offering anything like this solution,” he added. 

Cross also reported a significant upturn in work, with the business now operating at “pre-pandemic levels and beyond”.

The Reydon, Suffolk firm completed a multi-million pound investment programme in the summer of 2020, and has since invested in an Autobond spot UV, laminating and embellishment line, and a high-spec Muller Martin Primera stitching system. 

He said further expansion at the firm was being planned, and described demand over the past couple of months as “fantastic”.

Micropress runs B1 and B2 sheetfed litho presses along with sheetfed digital and comprehensive in-house finishing and mailing at its 6,500sqm factory, with a separate 1,500sqm paper warehouse. 

Key products include magazines and catalogues, brochures and leaflets, and books. 

Pre-pandemic the 161-employee firm had sales of more than £19m.