I have worked with many small to mid-size print companies, and this is some of what I have learned. I don't know anything about you and your specific situation, but perhaps you might find some of this useful.
You didn't give much info in your post, and perhaps you have already done this, but it is critical that you understand why you want a system and what you hope to achieve with it. The greatest benefits from systems like this are: Centralization (all records in a single place), automation (for example: auto sequencing of quote numbers, easy to replicate an existing quote, pre-determined special client pricing & discounts) and standardization (for example: consistent pricing rules, consistent product rules & processes). Which of these is your top priority?
It sounds like you are very small now. How many concurrent users to you expect to use the system during peak usage?
Are you planning on growing? If so, how quickly? How much larger do you expect to be in 6 months? 12 months? 24 months? Be sure that the system you chose can accommodate this growth. Ideally your system will not only accommodate you, but will actually help you meet your growth goals.
What other functionalities do you need now, or will need in the short term? Leads / Contacts management, work order management, scheduling & capacity, invoicing & AR, etc.
Are you really ready for an estimating system? Do you have the time and the resources to get it up and running? A well implemented estimating system is going to require that you get all of your prices rules loaded into it. If standardization is your primary goal, but you don't know what those price rules are, and can't clearly define them, most systems won't be much help, as all estimates will still need to go through the review process that you currently use. Remember that the cost of the software (what you pay to the software vendor) is a small part (less than 25% in most cases) of the total cost of what it takes to get it up and running.
Are you ready to be pigeon-holed? Implementing an "industry standard" or vertical system locks you in that industry. If you have areas of your business that aren't handled by the industry standard software, you will need to manage those areas outside of your software (perhaps with another software system). If you have workflows or processes that are unique to you, are you willing to give that up in order to run the industry standard system as pre-determined by them? Implementing vertical systems leads to a loss of competitive advantage as all companies fully running these systems are forced to run their businesses in very similar ways. Don't underestimate the uniqueness of your business and the value of your differences from you competition.
Perhaps (and this is only a "perhaps") a better investment for you would be to not spend any money on software, but spend time building a system outside of any software (creating rules, writing policy, identifying & documenting processes, etc.). At first, this system would be executed on paper (spreadsheets, paper work orders, email confirmations, etc.). It would all be handled by you and would give you the flexibility to change it and continuously improve it. Once you have a good system in place, then start shopping for software that would support this existing structure and strategy, and give you the flexibility to always change and improve as needed.
I realize that what I am saying sounds like a massive task, and it is, but this is what building a well managed and competitive business is all about. No company should be limited by their MIS system.
