Web-to-print technology is a service that many printing and promotional providers offer their clients. What is unfortunate is this service is typically not used to its full potential. While it is true that this technology can provide a quick and easy way to place an order for customized products, technology has matured to the point where it should also be an information gateway for you. When evaluating a web to print solution there are some key features that you should be looking for:

• Core Functionality. You are evaluating web to print solutions, obviously is the core functionality of the system does not work or makes you less efficient than all of the other features listed in this article are worthless.

• Order Tracking. You can order customized products on demand, you should also be able to check on the status of your order quickly. This type of service is expected from websites such as Amazon.com, why shouldn't the same functionality be present with your printing and promotional provider.

• Up-to-date Inventory numbers. If you outsource the storage or distribution of your printed products you are avoiding the costly and time intensive process of keeping track of inventory yourself. Having this outsourced does not mean you should need a crystal ball to keep track of your assets. A good web to print system should allow this information to be accurate and available on demand.

• Priority Online Support. Just because you can now order and track information online does not mean quality customer service should stop. With online support you can be quickly helped with any questions that you may have based on the page you are viewing at that time. Naturally, online support should not replace the expectations of contacting a knowledgeable representative over the phone or in person.

• Product ordering reports. Especially in these tough times decisions need to be made on how to best allocate resources. With product usage and order history reports you can look at past trends to help with budgeting and allow a more efficient allocation of resources.

• Budget and buying limits. In medium and large enterprises you can't spend your time micromanaging the acquisition of your printed products. It should be easy to set up a work flow that allows for order approvals, but you should also have the option of allowing a order limit that will require either approval or will have the order be rejected if the budget is exceeded.

• Ability to Request Quotes. Placing orders on demand is great, it saves times, allows you to realize cost savings as well. But there are some projects that a web based system just can't do. For this the web to print system that you are using should allow an easy form that will provide most of the information that is needed by your supplier so that a price and lead time can quickly be given back to you.

Basically it comes down to the fact technology is supposed to make our lives easier. The savings that you realize should not only be a low price but also the time saved by having information in a centralized location that can be accessed at any time that you might need it. After all web to print is a customized solution for your company's needs.

The Northstar Group provides all of these services in our NorthStore ordering system. We also have a dedicated team that will then help train your staff and realize the full value of these features.