Managing and EFI DSF

[mjetzer]

How much time is require to manage EFI DSF? I know it's different for everyone. I'm an in-plant printer, 100-200 customers on site. Business cards, company collateral, custom print jobs uploaded from 20 different departments. We are doing about 625,000 pages a month on average, or about 3500 jobs.

Another way to look at it is, do you have a person that is exclusively responsible for the Storefront. Meaning more that 50% of their time is managing the storefront?

 

[duncndonut]

Hey Mjetzer!

We recently went live with our DSF, feel free to check it out at newhanoverprinting.com. We are a small shop, that being said, it will depend on the employee you task with the store. The initial setup is rigorous and can be a full time job if your employee isn't very familiar with back-end management, if you're confident in your employee's abilities then I'd say give them ample setup time during the training period and then allow them to ease back into a 50/50 split. It also is important to note that you may want to use that person's spare time once the shop is established to then promote your new store, just food for thought. Take 'er easy!

 

[MIBUK]

The initial configuration, training is what will take up someone's time for say 3 to 4 weeks at over 50% of their work day. It's the foundation building of price lists, media, ticket templates and products that needs time to create. Normally, you will start off with a few customers and build from there. With each customer, the standard product creation takes very little time. The variable print jobs to build the intelligence with FusionPro or XMPie, will take the most time, but once they're used to creating them, I estimate 1 to 2 hours per variable product depending on the complexity.

To keep the site ticking over, adding a couple of customers each week would in my opinion need no more than 1 man day, but of course that will increase if you successfully sell this service to your customers and that's where you really need to focus on to make it profitable.

 

[Puch]

Hey Mjetzer!

We recently went live with our DSF, feel free to check it out at newhanoverprinting.com. We are a small shop, that being said, it will depend on the employee you task with the store. The initial setup is rigorous and can be a full time job if your employee isn't very familiar with back-end management, if you're confident in your employee's abilities then I'd say give them ample setup time during the training period and then allow them to ease back into a 50/50 split. It also is important to note that you may want to use that person's spare time once the shop is established to then promote your new store, just food for thought. Take 'er easy!

May I ask you to describe the system a bit?

1. Where is it hosted (in an ISP server room, or at your premises)?
2. What bandwidth EFI specificate for an adequate user experience?
3. Which kind of hardware you use to run it?
4. Was it deployed by an EFI specialist?
5. How much time was the initial setup and training?
6. Costs (software, hardware, software annual maintenance, training) - if you can't disclose the actual numbers, just give me a ballpark, please.

Thanks in advance,

Peter

 

[duncndonut]

May I ask you to describe the system a bit?

1. Where is it hosted (in an ISP server room, or at your premises)?
2. What bandwidth EFI specificate for an adequate user experience?
3. Which kind of hardware you use to run it?
4. Was it deployed by an EFI specialist?
5. How much time was the initial setup and training?
6. Costs (software, hardware, software annual maintenance, training) - if you can't disclose the actual numbers, just give me a ballpark, please.

Thanks in advance,

Peter

Hey Puch!

Our site is hosted by EFI, and launched by EFI, which answers many of your questions. The initial training was a group of web meetings spanning 24 hours total (we didn't use all the allotted time). The pricing will depend upon which modules you will require and other features you may need. Depending on the modules and features you select setup can range from a few thousand to 10's of thousands and monthly costs from a few hundred to a few thousand, again all dependent upon your needs. The best way to get real pricing would be to contact their sales department and let them know what you're looking for, they are happy to work up pricing for your specific needs. Doesn't hurt to ask!

 

[Puch]

Hello duncndonut,

thanks for sharing the info. I'm starting to get the picture. I've already asked the reps here about pricing, and waiting for the official offer. Initially they've mentioned outrageous sums for a full-blown version (30-50 thou), so we may go down the 'self-developed' way, or will choose a cheaper version. Thanks again!

 

[duncndonut]

Hello duncndonut,

thanks for sharing the info. I'm starting to get the picture. I've already asked the reps here about pricing, and waiting for the official offer. Initially they've mentioned outrageous sums for a full-blown version (30-50 thou), so we may go down the 'self-developed' way, or will choose a cheaper version. Thanks again!

If they haven't mentioned it yet, ask them about the DSF essentials package. It is WAY more affordable.

 

[Stephen Marsh]

Hello duncndonut,

thanks for sharing the info. I'm starting to get the picture. I've already asked the reps here about pricing, and waiting for the official offer. Initially they've mentioned outrageous sums for a full-blown version (30-50 thou), so we may go down the 'self-developed' way, or will choose a cheaper version. Thanks again!

For 30-50K, I would also look into a full MIS system with bi-directionally integrated Web Portal Store with integrated W2P engine – A full “end to end” print management and ecommerce system.

Accura

(Disclosure, I work for a distributor of the above system)


Stephen Marsh

 

[Puch]

Thanks for all the replies, Donut and Stephen. I will ask EFI about the Essentials package. Accura seems to be a very well thought-out product, too. I will read through the materials, to gain some more info.

Regards,

Peter

 

[bobtucker]

@duncndonut

We are currently shopping DSF. Looks like you have had it for about a year or more. Do you have any follow-up thoughts? Do you send any data (jdf/xml etc) to an MIS or workflow from DSF? If so, how has that worked for you?

Thanks for your time and feedback!!