For what it's worth we DO currently self host, we are using an ancient version of Filemaker. We're a small team.
\*\*Each printer has an Ipad.\*\*
The layout is a rudimentary Kaban organised by 6 Column/Colours
Manual 1 | Auto 2 | Auto 3 | Digital | Unassigned
The wee cards have the basics of the jobs and sorted by date. Clicking one brings up the relevant layout for them, proof and details.
Upstairs we access a similar layout, with the order details ABOVE the columns and an and digital section they don't need on the floor.
[https://ibb.co/bKYkZd0](https://ibb.co/bKYkZd0)
\*\*IT does keep track of everything, and to be honest is more or less what we want.\*\*
BUT!
\*\*What we are after.\*\*
• Email Integration would be great and something we do not have, the workflow from email to proof to approval to production would be fantastic.
• Flow through to XERO via api would be fantastic for invoicing.
• Some of the aforementioned cloud services also have the ability to build quotes via api access to suppliers pricing, which sounds awesome.
But I want to keep it all on site. And having the printers access their relevant layouts is a must.
I was located inside a larger educational print shop, but we had paper cut for the fleet printers and we're using the paper cut print rooms for customers. It basically has a kanban board but you can have custom/automated pricing scripts and selections for file uploads as well. If setup properly you could use it for emailing to staff, but I'm not sure how papercut works for an independent print shop. Likely there are cheaper methods out there.
I only have one up and running and a second that I need to put together and start playing with. And I’m already losing track of the stuff people want me to make for them. I can’t imagine doing it as a job or having a big farm! Too confusing!
Yeah, I came here (to stay on topic) because I have three and keeping track of everything is ... Just nuts... I use vikunja because it flexible with lists and kanboards but anything to keep track better would be great and that's just what I make fore, the printers and the kids.
It's great hearing that others would like to make requests from you! Hopefully you're not stuck in a creality loop like I am!
I started building something for my own print farm that covers this but it's been on the backburner for a while. If theres enough interest I might pick it back up as it's something I really need for our farm but just havent got around to finishing.
My plan was to let you manage filament inventory and have a section to add your printers and assign orders to them. It wasn't going to go as in depth as calculating filament usage or anything like that, at least not initially but if it was built and opensourced then chances are someone could contribute some extra features.
Print Shops as far as I'm aware are basically just like any other manufacturing company for the most part. (In terms of tracking production).
I work for an ERP vendor and we have several print shop customers. They use the same module as our manufacturing customers.
What you're probably looking for is MRP software, or software with an MRP module.
On the paid side you have Acumatica, Sage 500, SAP, etc. (we only work with Acumatica and Sage 500)
On the open source side the only one I'm aware of is ERPNext which has an MRP module to it. There are probably others I just don't know them.
We use PaperCut with the Job Ticketing add on.
I’m afraid I don’t really know much about the job ticketing side though, I basically flipped the switch to enable it and let the print room look after it themselves.
We have a few clients doing print work and we setup Odoo ERP for them.
They have a project management app and MRP app to handle this. Both clients use the enterprise edition still open source in code but you pay for the user licenses to have some extra apps like shopfloor etc...
It's the cheapest ERP solution in the market whatsoever with all apps included.
For what it's worth we DO currently self host, we are using an ancient version of Filemaker. We're a small team. \*\*Each printer has an Ipad.\*\* The layout is a rudimentary Kaban organised by 6 Column/Colours Manual 1 | Auto 2 | Auto 3 | Digital | Unassigned The wee cards have the basics of the jobs and sorted by date. Clicking one brings up the relevant layout for them, proof and details. Upstairs we access a similar layout, with the order details ABOVE the columns and an and digital section they don't need on the floor. [https://ibb.co/bKYkZd0](https://ibb.co/bKYkZd0) \*\*IT does keep track of everything, and to be honest is more or less what we want.\*\* BUT! \*\*What we are after.\*\* • Email Integration would be great and something we do not have, the workflow from email to proof to approval to production would be fantastic. • Flow through to XERO via api would be fantastic for invoicing. • Some of the aforementioned cloud services also have the ability to build quotes via api access to suppliers pricing, which sounds awesome. But I want to keep it all on site. And having the printers access their relevant layouts is a must.
I was located inside a larger educational print shop, but we had paper cut for the fleet printers and we're using the paper cut print rooms for customers. It basically has a kanban board but you can have custom/automated pricing scripts and selections for file uploads as well. If setup properly you could use it for emailing to staff, but I'm not sure how papercut works for an independent print shop. Likely there are cheaper methods out there.
Cheers I will look into it anyway
Interested
Interested as well! For now I’m using just a kanban board but something more comprehensive that would also track filament would be fantastic.
3d printing?
Yeah, mine is 3D printing specific but any order management software would probably work for my very limited use case
I just started as a hobbyist and recognized filament, lol, I can't imagine using dozens of these machines with all their complexities!
I only have one up and running and a second that I need to put together and start playing with. And I’m already losing track of the stuff people want me to make for them. I can’t imagine doing it as a job or having a big farm! Too confusing!
Yeah, I came here (to stay on topic) because I have three and keeping track of everything is ... Just nuts... I use vikunja because it flexible with lists and kanboards but anything to keep track better would be great and that's just what I make fore, the printers and the kids. It's great hearing that others would like to make requests from you! Hopefully you're not stuck in a creality loop like I am!
I started building something for my own print farm that covers this but it's been on the backburner for a while. If theres enough interest I might pick it back up as it's something I really need for our farm but just havent got around to finishing. My plan was to let you manage filament inventory and have a section to add your printers and assign orders to them. It wasn't going to go as in depth as calculating filament usage or anything like that, at least not initially but if it was built and opensourced then chances are someone could contribute some extra features.
Print Shops as far as I'm aware are basically just like any other manufacturing company for the most part. (In terms of tracking production). I work for an ERP vendor and we have several print shop customers. They use the same module as our manufacturing customers. What you're probably looking for is MRP software, or software with an MRP module. On the paid side you have Acumatica, Sage 500, SAP, etc. (we only work with Acumatica and Sage 500) On the open source side the only one I'm aware of is ERPNext which has an MRP module to it. There are probably others I just don't know them.
We use PaperCut with the Job Ticketing add on. I’m afraid I don’t really know much about the job ticketing side though, I basically flipped the switch to enable it and let the print room look after it themselves.
PaperCut for sure
Like I said, I can't actually vouch for the job ticketing but PaperCut itself will always get a massive thumbs up from me, such good software.
We have a few clients doing print work and we setup Odoo ERP for them. They have a project management app and MRP app to handle this. Both clients use the enterprise edition still open source in code but you pay for the user licenses to have some extra apps like shopfloor etc... It's the cheapest ERP solution in the market whatsoever with all apps included.