Decorator Profile
This picture shows what the software looks like from a customer perspective when they log in on their mobile
Perhaps software like the one developed by Colours International is something that all garment decorators should consider if they want to streamline their internal production process and online ordering system for customers. Ian firmly believes this is where the future of garment decoration lies.
This picture shows a job completed for the customer. Each box in white is clickable i.e. if you click on design you see the complete approved with inks/ dimensions etc.
customer. At present the customer can check virtually all the most pertinent items relative to their order.” The software has also been developed to handle the logistics of global events. Any event which takes place across five continents on one day, could create the potential for a logistical nightmare when it comes to printing thousands of T shirt which need to be printed and shipped to individual addresses across the globe. But not for Colours International thanks to its software.
Ian explains: “If you register for an event and you want one T shirt, five T shirts or 10 T shirts, the event’s registration site links through to our logistics portal which will work out the most efficient way to send you the T shirt. For example, if you are in the UK, the system will also automatically produce a customs label too. We don’t just supply the T shirts, we print them, pack them and dispatch them.” Registrants for an event are able
Tanya McDerrmot, main printer, and Jaso Keogh, trainee printer, are really impressed with how much easier their working day is thanks to the software
to log on and track the progress of their order. The same applies to the organisers of the particular event, who are able to log on and see just how many orders have been received and how many T shirts Colours International has printed.
The software can also handle just in time stock handling for uniforms and can be directly linked with Shopify websites for direct shipping.
Advance in technology As with every advance in technology, there are always people who prefer things the way they were. On the whole the online ordering process has cut down on the number of unnecessary calls and emails received from customers chasing for updates on stock delivery and such like, but there are a small handful of customers who still prefer to call, mainly just for a chat. “It really has changed the dynamic with our customers. It hasn’t stopped the personal connection we have with them,” says Ian.
The next step for Colours International and the development of this software is to make it more user-friendly for customers on their mobile phones. At the moment the mobile optimisation is not the best. Another thing that the team is working on is the introduction of a live webcam feed, so customers can log on and physically see their items being printed or embroidered. Ian concludes: “Over the past number of years, our technology suite as become an integral part of our business.”
www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk
What customers can see and do on their online profile:
• Approve or disapprove artwork. • Check if their supplied stock has arrived.
• Check the collection date or view the online tracking for delivery.
• Reorder jobs easily. • Pay online (if they are not an account holder).
• View their complete job or order history.
• Receive automatic emails when the job is complete with a tracking link.
• Large companies can appoint an admin that can view all jobs placed by staff.
• The system updates in real time with an easy-to-understand colour-coded view.
The in-house profile allows production staff to see the status of every job instantly by the colour displayed:
• Green: artwork has been approved by the customer and the stock is complete; however, the screens are not ready so the job cannot be printed yet.
• Brown: artwork has been approved, stock is complete and the screens are ready; the job is good to go.
• Yellow: artwork has been approved and the screens are ready; however, the stock is not complete. • Purple: artwork approved.
The production manager for the print department wants to see each job brown. For the embroidery section, green denotes that the job is good to go as no screens are required.
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