Learn how Print IQ has increased efficiency and accessibility with Simplified Quoting
Stramongate Press is a full-service commercial printer located on the edge of the Lake District in Cumbria. With a full-time staff of twenty, the company produces printed items like leaflets, brochures, stationary, and more. They also offer large format printing for the sign and display segment. The company is newly expanding their print services to offer workwear and merchandising.
Stuart Holden, Managing Director of Stramongate, has worked in print since 1995. Holden started his career with one of the largest UK-based print companies before moving over to work for a digital print pioneer. He took over the ownership of Stramongate with Co-directors Chris Hill and Alan Fawcett more than 10 years ago.
“I think leaders should work harder than anyone else and that is the way I operate,” shared Holden. “I set new challenges for myself and constantly want more. I feel if you are sitting still, you are falling behind.”
The Challenge
Holden determined they needed an MIS solution that would allow their company to grow. “We had an older system that was heavily reliant on the knowledge of our people, especially in quoting and estimating. We just couldn’t scale the business with a system like that. We also didn’t have any simplified estimating or production data capture that anyone could pick up and use very easily.”
Holden found that quoting was a major pain point for the company, along with the ability to integrate with other systems and streamline communication both internally and externally.
The Solution
“Quoting within printIQ is far superior to any other system we’ve worked with. We explored other systems when we were evaluating printIQ and the strength of this system is much greater than any other on the market,” Holden said.
Integrations were another hurdle Stramongate faced. Holden added, “we wanted to easily integrate with other systems to automate our workflow for ease and efficiency along with less points of data entry. We are now integrating with accounting system, Xero, evaluating a CRM, and implementing web-to-print, all with printIQ at the core. I need a complete solution that will monitor the interaction with our customers, so we don’t miss opportunities. We want to be sure we are being proactive and have a platform to control the heart of the business.”
Another big obstacle Stramongate faced was communication overall. “We had to repeat a lot of tasks and had to download PDF files from the system to send over to our customers by email. printIQ makes this a streamlined process. We now have one point of entry with the ability to send information and proofs directly to our customers straight from the system.”
The Business Impact
“Our business is growing and we have added an integration with web-to-print provider, Infigo, to allow for B2B portals to service certain customers and a B2C storefront to reach a whole new target. This, along with an integration with Enfocus Switch, will allow for complete automation. Pretty soon, we will have a fully automated, lights out process of automation from start to finish through the business.”
Holden explained that working with printIQ has been a true partnership. “When we chose printIQ, it wasn’t for the present. It’s certainly a long-term relationship. We see them as being our partner for many years to come. We wouldn’t have chosen a systems provider that was going to standstill. We want a partner that’s going to keep progressing forward. We fully believed in what they were doing and that is why we are with them.”
