PRINT PRODUCTION AUTOMATION: A CASE STUDY OF METROPOLITAN FINE PRINTERS

The use of Management Information Systems (MIS) in improving organizational efficiency and productivity is one trend that has gained much traction in the print industry. MIS’ outstanding capabilities have demonstrated to be not just a better alternative to manual production workflow processes, but a necessity for print firms seeking to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive sector.This report presents an investigation into how a Vancouver-based print company, Metropolitan Fine Printers (MET), achieves workflow automation through the use of MIS. It examines the introduction and implementation of MET’s first MIS, Hagen, and discusses the system’s capabilities, revealing the deficiencies that called for an upgrade of Hagen and its integration with other models, to give the new MIS system, Monarch, the potential to automate the workflow process of the company. The report then provides an assessment of the impact of Monarch on the company’s operations and presents the level of MIS integration within the company by examining work tasks completed by employees through the use of the system. In addition, it analyzes employee’s reaction and experience with Monarch and outlines the system’s weaknesses. The report concludes by presenting recommendations and strategies that MET could consider for enhancing its operations.