In the highly competitive print industry, businesses—whether small print shops or large commercial printers—face increasing demands, expanding markets, and tighter profit margins. Lowering prices isn’t the solution; instead, staying organized and optimizing productivity is crucial for sustainable growth. The right business management technology (like an ERP for printing industry) can be the deciding factor between success and stagnation.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) technology has revolutionized industries by providing end-to-end control and transforming how business owners manage operations. Once exclusive to large enterprises, ERP systems are now more accessible, cost-effective, and customizable for businesses of all sizes—including the print industry. Understanding what Print ERP is and how it can benefit your business is the first step toward streamlining your operations.
In this article, I want to explain what a Print ERP is and highlight some of the common challenges that graphic arts manufacturers run into when trying to implement them.
If you’re interested, you can also download my free eBook, The Print MIS Blueprint. It explains the benefits of a print ERP, provides you with a timeline of the project, and lays out what you should do step by step to choose and integrate your Print ERP or MIS. Interested in learning the difference between an ERP and MIS? Read my article, Print MIS vs ERP Systems.
What is ERP?
ERP systems integrate and automate key business processes, from sales and financials to inventory and production. By utilizing a centralized database, ERP software consolidates data and streamlines workflows, eliminating the inefficiencies of managing multiple disconnected systems.
One of the biggest challenges facing print businesses today is the lack of a unified system to track and analyze operations. Without a centralized platform, decision-making is hindered by fragmented data, manual errors, and inefficiencies. ERP software addresses these challenges by:
- Reducing repetitive manual tasks
- Automating key workflows, such as invoicing and order processing
- Enhancing employee efficiency and customer satisfaction through faster, more accurate processes
With cloud-based ERP solutions, businesses now have flexible deployment options tailored to their needs and budgets. Many leading ERP systems, including Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, operate as closed-source software—meaning the core source code isn’t user-editable. However, these solutions often feature open architecture, allowing for seamless integration with other business applications.
What is a Print ERP?
ERP software can be tailored to meet the needs of specific industries, and Print ERP is designed specifically for print shops and commercial printing businesses. PrintVis, for example, is a cloud-based print management solution built on Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Unlike traditional Print MIS solutions, PrintVis combines ERP functionality with print-specific features, offering an all-in-one solution for managing printing operations. It provides powerful automation, real-time data access, and seamless cloud-based deployment, making it an ideal choice for print businesses looking to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Key Features of a Print ERP (like PrintVis):
- Financial Management – Automate financial processes, track profitability, and gain real-time financial insights.
- Sales & Customer Service – Manage customer relationships effectively with instant access to job statuses and inventory details.
- Inventory Management – Maintain optimal supply levels with reliable inventory tracking and forecasting.
- Shop Floor Management – Enhance productivity through automation, real-time data collection, and improved communication.
- Reporting & Business Intelligence – Generate custom reports to analyze performance, costs, and profitability.
In addition to these core ERP functions, PrintVis also provides essential Print MIS features, including:
- Print Estimating
- Shop Floor Scheduling
- Job Costing
- Case Management (Order Processing)
- Web-to-Print Integrations
By leveraging a Print ERP solution like PrintVis, print businesses can reduce costs, optimize production, and deliver superior customer service, all while ensuring seamless scalability and future growth. Take a look at our PrintVis Pricing Guide to get a better understanding of the investment.
Why Print ERP is Better than Traditional Print MIS
Unlike a Print MIS, which primarily focuses on estimating and job tracking, a Print ERP like PrintVis offers a fully integrated business management solution that improves every aspect of your operations.
Traditional Print MIS Limitations:
❌ Limited financial and accounting capabilities
❌ Often requires multiple disconnected systems
❌ Less flexible when scaling for business growth
Print ERP Advantages:
✅ Comprehensive end-to-end business management
✅ Full financial and inventory control
✅ Cloud-based, accessible from anywhere
By adopting a Print ERP solution, print businesses can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and scale their operations effortlessly.
Common Challenges of Implementing a New Print ERP System
While the benefits of implementing an ERP for printing industry businesses are clear, adoption can be challenging. Here are six common pitfalls and how to overcome them:
1. Don’t Let “Perfect” Be The Enemy Of Good
REMEMBER: You probably have a bad system that’s manual and has many problems. Anything is better than what you currently have.
Many print businesses hesitate to implement Print ERP solutions because they want everything to be perfect from day one. Instead, focus on incremental improvements—a system that’s 80% better than your current process is still a huge win.
2. Expect Resistance from Some Employees
Some employees will resist change, especially those who don’t currently use software much. The key is training, communication, and showing them how ERP makes their jobs easier.
3. Watch Out For The Squeaky Wheel
Loud, resistant employees might try to dominate discussions about ERP implementation. Make sure you listen to all employees, not just the most vocal ones.
4. Don’t Take Your Foot Off The Gas
Midway through an ERP project, some companies lose focus. Assigning a strong project coordinator ensures that your team keeps pushing forward.
5. Weak Project Coordinator or Business Analyst
A weak Business Analyst or Project Coordinator can slow down implementation. Make sure you have a capable leader who understands both technology and your business needs.
6. If Your Team Is Checked Out, Watch Out
If employees ignore training and testing, they’ll struggle to use the ERP system effectively after launch. Make participation mandatory and ensure teams test processes before going live.
- Do everything you can to keep things simple. Anything that complicates the MIS system is just going to make it more difficult.
- Be prepared for things that were missed and processes that don’t work. People will disagree with their choices, which people will then throw blame at the partner.
- Force the team to try the new system before you go live. Watch them. Once they realize it doesn’t quite work, hopefully they’ll be more interested.
Overcoming Resistance to Change in Print ERP Implementation
Some employees may resist or push back against adopting new procedures that come with implementing an ERP system for printing industry companies. Proactively addressing their concerns is essential for a smooth transition.
- Clear Communication is Key: Explain how the ERP system will improve efficiency, reduce errors, and make jobs easier. Employees should understand what’s in it for them.
- Invest in Training and Support: A well-trained team is more likely to adopt the system successfully. Provide hands-on ERP training and ongoing support.
- Identify Change Champions: Find employees who embrace the ERP system and let them advocate for it internally.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledging early successes can increase buy-in and motivation.
- Encourage Employee Feedback: Make the transition a two-way conversation. Listen to feedback and adjust processes as needed.
By handling resistance with patience and support, you can make the transition to the new system much smoother and help your team adjust. At the end of the day, success comes down to getting everyone on board and working together.
If you find this article helpful, download my free eBook, The Print MIS Blueprint: A Guide to System Selection & Integration. It will help you understand how to select your team for the project and and how to overcome the common challenges that can arise.
Conclusion: Why Print ERP is the Future of the Printing Industry
Adopting a Print ERP system is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for growth and efficiency in today’s fast-paced printing industry. While implementing an ERP for printing industry businesses can be challenging, the long-term benefits far outweigh the hurdles.
The right Print ERP solution, like PrintVis, empowers graphic arts manufacturers to:
✔ Improve efficiency and reduce waste
✔ Streamline production and inventory management
✔ Enhance customer service and job tracking
✔ Optimize financial management and reporting
At Sabre Limited, we specialize in Print ERP implementation and are a trusted Microsoft Dynamics Manufacturing Partner across North America.
Why Choose Sabre Limited for Your Print ERP Implementation?
At Sabre Limited, we are experts in print ERP for manufacturing companies, specifically with PrintVis. We stand among the best Microsoft Dynamics Manufacturing Partners across North America. What sets us apart from our competitors is that we use fixed fees instead of time and material billing and we always put the customer first.
✅ Fixed Fee Model – Transparent pricing, no hidden costs.
✅ Industry Expertise – Over 30 years of experience in print manufacturing ERP solutions.
✅ Specialized in PrintVis – Deep expertise in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central & PrintVis.
Our areas of expertise include:
If you’re interested in learning more about what Sabre Limited can offer, we’ve been dedicated to helping small to medium-sized manufacturers learn and adopt Business Central. Contact us, and let’s explore how we can contribute to the success of your print manufacturing journey.
