Avanti Slingshot
Avanti Slingshot is a print management information system that integrates your entire shop's workflow from estimating and scheduling to billing and shipping to streamline your print production and business operations.
Tharstern
Tharstern provides a specialized management information system designed to help print, packaging, and labeling companies automate their entire production workflow from initial quoting through to final distribution.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Avanti Slingshot | Tharstern |
|---|---|---|
| Website | avantilive.com | thartstern.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Custom |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1984 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Toronto, Canada | Colne, United Kingdom |
Overview
Avanti Slingshot
Avanti Slingshot is a comprehensive Print Management Information System (MIS) designed to help you manage every aspect of your print shop from a single platform. You can automate your entire workflow, starting from the initial customer quote through to final delivery and invoicing. By centralizing your data, you eliminate manual entry errors and gain real-time visibility into your shop's performance and profitability.
The platform is built specifically for commercial printers, in-plant facilities, and large-format print shops that need to scale their operations. You can handle complex estimating, manage warehouse inventory, and track labor costs across multiple departments. It helps you identify bottlenecks in your production line so you can optimize your resources and improve your bottom line.
Tharstern
Tharstern is a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS) built specifically for the unique demands of the printing and packaging industries. You can move away from manual spreadsheets and disconnected tools by centralizing your entire operation into a single platform. It allows you to manage complex estimating, live job tracking, and inventory levels with real-time data, ensuring your shop floor stays synchronized with your front office.
You can use the platform to automate repetitive administrative tasks and gain deep insights into your profit margins on every job. Whether you specialize in digital, litho, large format, or labels, the software adapts to your specific manufacturing processes. It helps you reduce touchpoints in your workflow, allowing your team to process more orders in less time while maintaining high accuracy in your job costing.
Overview
Avanti Slingshot Features
- Automated Estimating Generate fast and accurate quotes for complex print jobs using pre-defined templates and real-time material costs.
- Production Scheduling Manage your shop floor visually with drag-and-drop scheduling that accounts for equipment availability and job deadlines.
- Inventory Management Track your paper stock and consumables in real-time to prevent shortages and reduce wasteful overstocking.
- Integrated Invoicing Convert completed jobs into professional invoices automatically and sync them directly with your existing accounting software.
- Shipping Integration Connect with major carriers to generate labels and track shipments without leaving your management console.
- Real-time Reporting Access detailed dashboards to monitor job profitability, employee productivity, and overall equipment effectiveness instantly.
Tharstern Features
- Smart Estimating. Generate accurate quotes in seconds for complex print jobs by automatically calculating material costs, labor, and machine time.
- Live Job Tracking. Monitor the real-time status of every project on your shop floor so you can provide customers with instant updates.
- Inventory Management. Track your paper stock and consumables automatically to prevent production delays and reduce waste from over-ordering.
- CRM & Sales. Manage your customer relationships and sales pipeline within the same system used for production and billing.
- Automated Scheduling. Optimize your press room schedule with drag-and-drop tools that account for machine availability and job deadlines.
- Business Intelligence. Access visual dashboards that show your most profitable jobs and identify bottlenecks in your manufacturing process.
Pricing Comparison
Avanti Slingshot Pricing
Tharstern Pricing
Pros & Cons
Avanti Slingshot
Pros
- Highly modular system allows you to add features as you grow
- Excellent integration with major digital press manufacturers like Ricoh and Xerox
- Detailed job costing provides deep insights into actual profit margins
- Browser-based interface allows you to manage your shop from anywhere
Cons
- Initial setup and configuration require a significant time investment
- Learning curve is steep due to the depth of features
- Customization options can be overwhelming for smaller print shops
Tharstern
Pros
- Highly specialized for complex print and packaging requirements
- Excellent integration capabilities with prepress and production hardware
- Detailed reporting provides deep visibility into job profitability
- Responsive customer support team with deep industry knowledge
Cons
- Significant time investment required for initial system configuration
- Learning curve is steep due to the extensive feature set
- Pricing is high compared to generic small-business software