SECRETS FOR SUCCESS
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Multiple
print specs make vendor quotes
easy
Want
to use print specs to get estimates from vendors?
Need to outsource work to several different
vendors? No problem! Now there is no limit to the
number of print specs you can add to each job, so
you can have one for each vendor. Here are some
tips to help you be on your way to get the most out
of multiple specs.
Use spec sheets to get vendor quotes. Add a spec
sheet for each vendor then use the status field to
enter each vendor's quotes for quick
comparison.
When you've selected your final vendor, change the
status of their spec sheet to "approved." For easy
reference, add the PO number there as well.
Add the vendor name and type to the description
line for easy sorting (e.g., "Printing - Quickie
Printers"). To see all of your specs for printing,
click on the Description column heading to resort
the specs list. All of your specs will be sorted
alphabetically by description, grouping all of the
spec sheets for printing together.
To help save time when adding multiple print specs,
clone existing ones and edit them to include
important information about each vendor's
responsibilities.
Print the spec sheets on paper for faxing or hand
delivery, or create a PDF using Adobe Acrobat then
e-mail the spec sheet to vendors.
If you clone a job, be sure to check the "also
clone printing specifications" checkbox. That way,
you won't need to re-enter the spec sheets, but you
can edit them if needed. Unwanted spec sheets can
be deleted from the newly cloned job.
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By Mindy
Williams
Traffic managers strive to have everyone and everything
where they need to be with the necessary knowledge to get
work done right. And that means knowing where every job is
-- and how close it is to being finished -- all the time. It
might sound like a Sisyphean task, especially jobs are
constantly evolving. But with Clients & Profits'
management tools, keeping a handle on jobs is easier than
you might think.
Here are a few tools to get you on your way to better
workflow management:
Production Planner
Open this one-stop window to review and edit many jobs' key
traffic details instead of finding and editing jobs
individually. Whether you're closing dozens of jobs at one
time, changing due dates of rush jobs, reassigning staffers,
or just trying to get a feel for how busy the shop is, this
is the place.
Job Timeline
Seeing each job's schedule in a bar graph format helps you
to visualize workflow. You can also edit special task
instructions, view the task estimate, and more.
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Work to Do
See all of the tasks on deck in one window. In the Work to
Do window, you can mark tasks as finished, update tasks and
traffic and add special instructions.
Weekly Traffic
Traffic managers keep important dates before them in this
one-stop milestones window showing all jobs in the shop,
sorted by job type. Edit traffic assignments, dates,
status, and more.
Traffic Calendar
The traffic department has its own calendar for keeping
track of job due dates (which automatically appear). You can
also add department meetings, appointments and other
important reminders that are critical to traffic.
So instead of cringing next time you think about traffic,
head for Clients & Profits instead and put these tools
to work!
Mindy Williams is a senior member of the
Clients & Profits support team.
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