Shuttleworth joint managing director Andy King gave a demonstration of several of the MISs e-business modules, which he said had recently helped two clients secure 1m accounts.

But he warned that printers could not simply purchase these modules and expect business to flood in. With MIS its never a case of plugging it in and there are your benefits. You have to work at it, he said.

Adobe creative publishing sales manager John Cunningham focused on how its software tools could integrate workflows for multiple outlet publishing, and add value to products with creative design and personalisation.

Cunningham criticised the stagnation of design in magazines and said the benefits of software are better realised in the hands of a skilled worker.