The Suffolk-based commercial printer bought EFI Midmarket Print Suite workflow software to speed up estimates, improve control of work and boost automated inventory control.
Micropress paid around £100,000 for the MIS suite, which is currently being installed and will replace a Shuttleworth system.
“We were very impressed with the automation of the EFI system; its production scheduling is very strong,” said Micropress commercial director Rob Cross.
“Plus, the ability to issue invoices as soon as the job is delivered is significant for cashflow management. From any terminal we can see what machine is running, the job, and speeds.”
The 40-year-old family business is based in Reydon, near Southwold. It has sales of around £16m and produces leaflets, brochures, catalogues, case-bound books, magazines and mailers.
The core of the system is EFI Pace MIS/ERP software that improves visibility, communication and performance through certified end-to-end workflows. Cross said the systems automated stock control was also a big draw, as the business holds up to £500,000 of paper at any one time.
Once up and running the system will enable Micropress to accurately monitor up-to-the minute production data including counts, press status, speed and other critical information directly from the equipment. It will also enable Micropress’s customers to track their job’s progress in real time.
The company has also specified a new job-planning component that transforms big data into actionable information to bring a “holistic” view into manufacturing.
Cross' commercial print business also uses EFI Fiery digital front ends and software on a proofing device and on four digital presses, including a recently installed Xerox iGen system.
Litho kit includes four Heidelbergs, an eight- and five-colour XL 106, an eight-colour XL 105 and a six-colour XL 75. Finishing kit includes MBO, Stahl and Muller Martini equipment.
“We have always seen Fiery as a market-leading technology for digital presses so it was an easy decision when installing our latest iGen press,” said Cross.
