Two Printing Firms Test xpedx MIS System
EPMS system will integrate real-time xpedx paper warehouse inventory status into printing job estimating data process.
By Bill Esler, Editor in Chief -- Graphic Arts Online, August 19, 2009
Two West Coast printers—SOS Printing, Inc., San Diego, and AMP, in the Northern California town of Dublin—are the first to test a new management information system offering from printing paper and equipment supply giant xpedx and Enterprise Print Management Systems, Middleboro, MA. SOS, a 37-employee offset and digital sheetfed and web printer says the new system, which relies on real-time information on paper availability from its xpedx warehouse, provides advantages in making estimates and capturing orders.
"Turnarounds are so critical today that if we miss having real time, full certainty on a paper's availability for order, for even half a business day, it plays havoc with our schedule," says Brad Reimers, owner of SOS Printing. "Having accurate paper availability and pricing information makes the difference between smooth and calm production or increased stress of having to look for new solutions to solve an unexpected supply problem. It is another step in becoming a leaner manufacturer."
Also testing the system was 80-employee AMP Printing, Inc., a 30-year-old large commercial
In July 2009 GAM
sheetfed and grand-format printer. AMP owner Jeff Main says the xpedx-EPMS system makes the process quicker. "With the paper procurement process now totally automated, we're able to quickly and confidentially bid," Main says.
The new service, available starting October 1 in the update of
, allowing them to immediately determine paper stock availability and pricing.
