Hi Brian,
We had a lot of RESERVATION about converting but being part of a franchise we didn't really have a choice, and were interested in some of the updates so we converted March 2016. Yes, there was the expense in upgrading all the computers (which probably needed upgrading anyway) but there is also a SaaS version that I know some AlphaGraphics run successfully and I'm not sure how that effects the hardware requirements other than eliminating a "Master".
I guess the answer might be on how in depth you use PrintSmith (ie All the different modules, and features). We found that most centers didn't use much of the functionally and kept with the basics. I can tell you that it's the standard for our Franchise and I don't know of anyone that has any problems running their business because of it.
Side note -- Yes, Vision was built on Flash which is going away and they are rebuilding the entire thing to be HTML but they are doing it in pieces. We are actually involved in a BETA group within Alphagraphics testing it now. Of course there are some issues but they seems to be remedying them fairly quickly. And I do know that the new HTML version will be the new standard in 2020 (I think), when Flash goes away.....
I know I sound like an EFI commercial but I'm not really. Is it great, no. But I do know our franchise did look at other options (like Corebridge (
Cloud-Based Management System: Sign & Print Shops | CoreBridge) and ended up that PrintSmith was the best for our situation.
I hope that helps some...
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Matthew Haar
AlphaGraphics #190
Kansas City MO
(816) 842-4200
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-12-2018 11:46 AM
From: Brian Ebbers
Subject: PrintSmith Classic to Vision Conversion - Alternative products
We are preparing to convert from PrintSmith Classic to Vision. The documentation is awful, the prerequisites are burdensome and the word on the street is that Vision and HTML are not ready for prime time - and may never be. Does anyone have a success story that counters this? Is there a competitive product that you have converted to from Classic?
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Brian Ebbers
President
Cascade Printing & Graphics, Inc.
Grand Rapids MI
616-222-2937
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