Artwork Project/Production Management

[comeauwatson]

Hi!

I'm an Artwork Project Manager for a large consumer goods company.

The APMs here do everything from meeting with the marketing team through to final print production (we work directly with the manufacturers, no intermediary). The one thing we DON'T do is work on the artwork inhouse.

SO! Could you please suggest a software print/artwork project management tool that might be helpful to a small user group to track raw materials, set milestones, follow-up, and sign off on a packaging item?

In the past I've worked with online stuff like Base Camp (free form), and Studio Manager, but this is more than just the design studio management side of it.

Any recommendations would be very much appreciated!

B

[markf]

Have a look at Flowmation, the next generation of Interactive Project Management and Project Management Software - Copper Project. I've used Copper for in house projects and it works well plus it's not expensive. The major advantage is that both products are web based which is the way to go.
MarkF..

[Vee]

Hi comeauwatson,
This may be a little over the top for your situation, but is pretty robust and thus "future proof" if you will. Also, maybe a little more printing/prepress focused vs/ project management. I am in a similar role, and have been looking into this product.

Work The Way YOU Want To Work: Dalim Software

"DALiM MiSTRAL is a uniquely powerful project management and job tracking system that allows everyone concerned with the production of a piece of print to have complete real-time visibility with every aspect of the job. Clients, MIS, premedia and print professionals can log in to the system and see the exact status of every element. DALiM MiSTRAL's award-winning JDF interoperability ensures seamless communication with a wide range of MIS, workflow, imposition, proofing and RIP applications, allowing print and premedia companies to offer a level of online customer services that cannot be beaten.
DALiM MISTRAL was created for one simple reason... “to close the Information Loop” within the graphic arts industry. It’s a unique and innovative solution for the display, tracking and administration of entire print project environments.
TRACK THE FLOW
Whether your projects follow the same production cycles or each has a unique flow, DALiM MiSTRAL allows all project participants realtime access to specific information, from the convenience of a standard web browser.

Now customer service representatives (CSRs) and production managers are able to create and fine-tune workflows, on a per project and client basis resulting in fewer errors, increased productivity and stronger client relationships.

Working within the DALiM MiSTRAL environment all project participants share a “Common Virtual Workspace” where they administer, track, preview, review, proof (locally or remotely), approve and print information in realtime."

[andreisarbu]

I think also that Dalim is the global leader for such products.

Andrei