COMPUTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS -- Pain-free Installations

But not all references are created equal. "Talk to a printer who is using the system—and I don't mean someone who has been working with it for just six months. You want someone who has been working intimately with a supplier for eight to 10 years," stresses Grieco.

There are two major issues printers need to keep in mind when shopping for a system: technology and support. Printers need to look carefully at what a vendor is offering, recommends Andersen. "Is the vendor ahead of the pack with regard to technical innovations in its software? Does the software encompass functionality that will help the customer's business grow?"