What software do you use to run and manage your shop

By rcfitz86 on Jan. 07, 2011
Forums: 
Screen Printing

EDIT: I decided to edit the thread to make it more a little more comprehensive.

Let's talk about all the little things you do to keep your shop organized and running smoothly.

Things we can share and talk about:

  • How do your store and categorize films?
  • How do you store, manage, and catalog screens?
  • What kind of software do you use and what do you use them for?
  • How do you keep track of workflow, order specs, customer info?
  • What shipping carriers do you use?
  • Do you rebox, using your own custom labeled boxes?
  • What suppliers do you use for inks, chemicals, and supplies of the like?
  • How and what forms of payment do you accept?

Above are just some topics to think about. Feel free to open it up with other topics.

Location: 
United States
iinc's picture
Submitted by iinc on Fri, 01/07/2011 - 20:57

rcfitz86 wrote:
EDIT: I decided to edit the thread to make it more a little more comprehensive.

Let's talk about all the little things you do to keep your shop organized and running smoothly.

Things we can share and talk about:

  • How do your store and categorize films? Jalema Hanging files
  • How do you store, manage, and catalog screens? Keep Film reclaim and reuse
  • What kind of software do you use and what do you use them for? Fastmanager
  • How do you keep track of workflow, order specs, customer info? Fastmanager
  • What shipping carriers do you use? UPS FEDEX
  • Do you rebox, using your own custom labeled boxes? Both
  • What suppliers do you use for inks, chemicals, and supplies of the like? Wilflex
  • How and what forms of payment do you accept? ALL ANY WHATEVER I CAN GET

Above are just some topics to think about. Feel free to open it up with other topics.


  • How do your store and categorize films? Jalema Hanging files
  • How do you store, manage, and catalog screens? Keep Film reclaim and reuse
  • What kind of software do you use and what do you use them for? Fastmanager
  • How do you keep track of workflow, order specs, customer info? Fastmanager
  • What shipping carriers do you use? UPS FEDEX
  • Do you rebox, using your own custom labeled boxes? Both
  • What suppliers do you use for inks, chemicals, and supplies of the like? Wilflex
  • How and what forms of payment do you accept? ALL ANY WHATEVER I CAN GET

James
James@innovativeink.net
Innovative Ink
http://www.InnovativeInk.net
Your Source for Contract Screen Printing
http://innovativeink.net/screen-printing/contract-printing/

iinc's picture
Submitted by iinc on Sat, 01/08/2011 - 10:36

It integrates with Quickbooks. Takes care of all the day to day stuff, but leaves accounting to quickbooks or you can use it without integrating with quickbooks.

I looked everywhere and this is the best option I found and they have excellent service as well. I spent about 6 months trying everything T-quoter, Shopworks, Impress and FastManager seemed to work best for us.

I use the pro version, but all of the options seem to work really well based on what your needs are.

James
James@innovativeink.net
Innovative Ink
http://www.InnovativeInk.net
Your Source for Contract Screen Printing
http://innovativeink.net/screen-printing/contract-printing/

iinc's picture
Submitted by iinc on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 09:51

Icon_714 wrote:
I used t-quoter when I first started. The functions were a bit limited and it was always VERY buggy. It also wasn't the most user friendly program. After a colossal failure of the database I decided to switch. We now run fast manager. It's much easier to use and offers a lot more customization and control. I would highly recommend fast manager.

I went throught the T-quoter nightmare as well. Ran my business off one computer for a year and added a second and everything went all to ***L. Installed FastManager on 6 machines and never looked back.

James
James@innovativeink.net
Innovative Ink
http://www.InnovativeInk.net
Your Source for Contract Screen Printing
http://innovativeink.net/screen-printing/contract-printing/

iinc's picture
Submitted by iinc on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 09:54

GraphicDisorder wrote:
Fast Manager looks awesome. I may have to get that to cut down on the time its taking me to get customers quotes. I do it with a excel sheet right now and its a pain.

There low cost version does a great job estimating and invoicing. And the great hting is it's upgradeable and you don't lose any info. The scheduling module is the best i've seen. That was the BIG issue with us. The dry erase board ran out of room a long time ago. Now we use it for the kids to draw on when they are bored at the shop after school.

James
James@innovativeink.net
Innovative Ink
http://www.InnovativeInk.net
Your Source for Contract Screen Printing
http://innovativeink.net/screen-printing/contract-printing/

Submitted by rcfitz86 on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 10:19

GraphicDisorder wrote:
Ya we are small timer, so do you think maybe the lite would be powerful enough for us?

Currently we use a digital calender and an excel sheet and its a PAIN.

Take a peek at freshbooks. I'm a small shop too, and I just switched from excel spreadsheets to freshbooks. Pretty cool software. It's online based and I have it hooked up with Google Apps for Business. However, I don't think it integrates with quickbooks and it might be a pain in the *** for your accountant. Fast Manager is definitely a more comprehensive program which you can always grow into.

Here's my referral link https://printproperinc.freshbooks.com/refer/www
I'm not sure what it gets me, as I just signed up yesterday.

Submitted by rcfitz86 on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 10:24

GraphicDisorder wrote:
I would rather it work with Quickbooks.

Yeah I hear you on that. Maybe it can link up with QB. Like I said, I'm new to it too so you might need to do some research. I personally just like GUI on it. It's pretty simple and easy. It sure beats having to work with spreadsheets all the time. Might be a good stepping stone on your way to a full service product like FastManager.

iinc's picture
Submitted by iinc on Sun, 01/09/2011 - 10:35

GraphicDisorder wrote:
Ya we are small timer, so do you think maybe the lite would be powerful enough for us?

Currently we use a digital calender and an excel sheet and its a PAIN.

Yes, The Lite Version looks like it will do everything you need. We had to move to the Pro version due to the amount of contract work we do to manage customer goods and better track multiple tasks in production. If you mainly do your own work - non contract - I think the Lite version is perfect. BTW if you buy it make sure you tell them where you heard about it. I think I get a free month of maintenance for referrals. I sent you an email with the sales contact.

James
James@innovativeink.net
Innovative Ink
http://www.InnovativeInk.net
Your Source for Contract Screen Printing
http://innovativeink.net/screen-printing/contract-printing/

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