Chicago - Technique Inc., a leading provider of modular ERP / MIS software solutions for the printing industry, today announces an upgrade to its flagship product, Technique-MIS v.5. Technique-MIS is an integrated suite of modular applications that allows users to select only the appropriate components for their type of business. The new version features several enhancements, including Quick Pricer, a faster and more powerful browser-based estimating module that allows sales staff to negotiate with their customers while maintaining predetermined profit margins. Among other improvements is Production Event Tracking, which provides more ways for staff to view and act upon vital production data. For example, CSRs can see at a glance which jobs have missing components that could delay production. Technique-MIS v.5 is shipping today and will be demonstrated at Technique's booth #1124 at Graph Expo, McCormick Place in Chicago from October 3 - 6, 2010.

"It has never been a better time for a printing company to have a sophisticated, integrated ERP/MIS," comments Paul Cooper, CEO of Technique Group, "With accurate real-time information to make informed, quick decisions, we enable our customers to improve the efficiencies of the entire printing process."

"We believe that these major new developments, coupled with our tried and tested MIS solution, provide the foundation for any printer to become a profit leader," comments Scott Marienthal, Sales Manager at Technique Inc. "Our customers are consistently amongst the best-performing printers in the market, and that's because we deliver the tools they need to go from good to great."

Highlights of Technique MIS version 5 include:
CRM Community Feeds - The new CRM Community Feeds module allows sales staff and CSRs to receive live feeds from customers' online and social networking activities. Using RSS feeds and social networking applications like Twitter and LinkedIn, any print shop can become better connected with its customers.

Mobile CRM - Technique Mobile CRM gives remote staff access to vital information from the CRM module, including inquiries, estimates and orders, and delivers it to a wide variety of mobile devices such as the Blackberry, Palm, iPhone and iPad , to name a few.

Quick Pricer - Faster and more powerful, this browser-based application helps sales staff create accurate estimates in seconds, eliminating several administrative steps from the traditional inquiry-estimate-order cycle. New features allow sales staff to negotiate with their customers while maintaining predetermined profit margins, value added, or contribution standards.

Online Fulfillment - In response to customer demand, the new web-based ordering and fulfillment system streamlines the process of receiving orders for finished goods. The module includes online payment capabilities and advanced functionality such as kitting. Online Fulfillment is one of the first online stores to offer true cost plus pricing at customer and production batch level.

Graphical Estimating - Developed to simplify the often-complex book estimating workflows, this new feature uses a graphical interface to easily view and modify the production routing, with instant recalculation of cost.

Dashboards - The enhanced dashboard module provides a more visually appealing reporting format. And complex productivity data, for example, can be summarized and more easily understood by all authorized staff. The enhanced graphical reporting is available 24/7.

Production Event Tracking - This improved feature extends the ways that vital production data can be viewed and acted upon by staff. For example, CSRs can see at a glance which jobs have missing components that might delay production.