DocketManager
DocketManager is a comprehensive print management software providing integrated MIS and e-commerce tools to help print shops streamline their workflow, estimating, and customer communication in one platform.
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 | DocketManager | Tharstern |
|---|---|---|
| Website | docketmanager.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 | 2011 | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Stoney Creek, Canada | Colne, United Kingdom |
Overview
DocketManager
DocketManager is a cloud-based management information system (MIS) designed specifically for the printing industry. You can manage your entire print shop from a single interface, handling everything from initial customer quotes and online ordering to production scheduling and final invoicing. It eliminates the need for disconnected spreadsheets by centralizing your data, allowing you to track jobs in real-time and maintain consistent pricing across your business.
The platform serves commercial printers, quick print shops, and in-plant facilities of various sizes. You can automate your repetitive administrative tasks, reduce manual entry errors, and provide your customers with a professional online portal for reordering and file uploads. By connecting your front-end sales with back-end production, you gain better visibility into your shop's profitability and resource allocation.
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
DocketManager Features
- Smart Estimating Generate accurate quotes in seconds using pre-defined templates and custom price scales to ensure your margins stay protected.
- Customer Portals Give your clients a branded space to place orders, approve proofs, and view their order history without calling your office.
- Live Production Tracking Monitor every job as it moves through your shop with status updates that keep your entire team on the same page.
- Inventory Management Track your paper stock and consumables in real-time so you never run out of materials during a critical project.
- Integrated CRM Manage all your customer interactions and sales pipelines within the same system you use to run your production floor.
- Automated Invoicing Convert completed orders into professional invoices instantly and sync them directly with your accounting software to save time.
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
DocketManager Pricing
Tharstern Pricing
Pros & Cons
DocketManager
Pros
- Highly responsive customer support team based in North America
- Comprehensive all-in-one functionality replaces multiple software subscriptions
- Frequent software updates driven by direct user feedback
- Flexible estimating engine handles complex custom print jobs
Cons
- Initial setup requires significant time for data entry
- Learning curve is steep due to the deep feature set
- Customization options can feel overwhelming for very small 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