Group managing director Nicola Bisset told the Xerox Forum in Prague about merging her company's Dash MIS and Xerox company XMPie's StoreFlow web-to-print system.

“The focus for Optimus and XMPie was to continue the lean ethos of using real-time automation to eliminate wasteful steps, including duplication of effort, and to reduce the occurance of errors.

“The result is a tightly integrated web-to-print and MIS that enables printers' customers to effortlessly place orders from an XMPie store or web portal.”

Both systems are modular and the cost of the integrated package for digital or litho printers depended on what modules they choose, said Bisset.

Of the deal she said: “We integrate with multiple solutions and will continue to do so, as will XMPie with other solutions too.”

Bisset added one of the biggest pluses was bi-directional pricing, which removed duplication through the managing of one pricing system.

“Having to maintain two systems; web-to-print with its own pricing, with an MIS, and trying to match them up is time consuming,” she said.

With Optimus and XMPie integration web customers receive the same pricing to save time and money as there was no duplication or mismatched pricing and customers.

“Users will see live stock and immediate dynamic pricing from Optimus Dash MIS. There is only a single pricing and stock system to maintain, resulting in accurate and up-to-date information.”

Other features included a job-submission function: all information from the web order placed on XMPie is passed to the Optimus Dash MIS.

This gives all the specification, files and production information needed to produce a job without the need for re-keying.

A job-status function keeps customers in the loop with real-time job updates, ensuring the status of jobs is automatically updated to ensure clear visibility for all, the company said.

A stock-status function meanwhile gives real-time stock updates on both Optimus Dash and XMPie, the partners said.

Customers are able to view their stock levels, place orders for stock-held items and, if stock was low, place orders to replenish the required products wit no re-keying needed.

XMPie vice president of sales Yaron Mohaban said: “The bi-directional integration of XMPie StoreFlow web-to-print with Optimus Dash MIS enables a true automated workflow.

“The integrated solution brings to market, workflow automation that is governed by policy, for example estimation, pricing, shipping and stock.

“The unified view of process and management makes it possible to realise unprecedented operational efficiencies, which are so valuable for our customers.”