The south London digital printer plumped for Pace MIS and Digital StoreFront (DSF) W2P from US-headquartered print software and wide-format equipment manufacturer EFI.

DSF is being used to develop a new brand targeting an online audience, primarily for wide-format print, completely separate from the MTA brand and its customer base of agencies and designers.

"Out current client-base are not the target for the W2P business," said managing director John Sinnott. "They require a more consultative hand-holding approach."

The W2P portal has been running since the start of the year, and the firm is relying on Google adwords to build the business slowly as it develops the site. Sinnott added that he was waiting for the next upgrade to DSF later this year before promoting it more heavily, as it would enable the firm to tailor the site more easily.

He also said that the W2P roll-out was planned to take time and he didn’t expect it to move into profitability before the end of 2013.

Meanwhile, the Pace MIS has replaced a self-developed system that the firm, which runs a Vutek QS 2000 wide-format machine and two HP Indigo 5500 digital presses, had outgrown.

"Pace is browser-based, which enables us to access it anywhere, on the move or at home via the iPhone app," said Sinnott. "EFI has also got a good support network, which was an important factor."

MTA Digital’s roots are as a repro house, and, while most production is digital, it retains a proofing press, which is still called on to do spot colour work and formats beyond the capabilities of its digital devices.