ePS Pace
ePS Pace is a modular print management information system designed to automate your entire production workflow from initial estimating and scheduling through to final invoicing and data analysis.
Katana
Katana is a cloud-based manufacturing enterprise resource planning software that gives you real-time visibility into inventory, production, and sales to streamline your entire small-to-medium manufacturing business operations.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ePS Pace | Katana |
|---|---|---|
| Website | eps.efi.com | katanamrp.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $179/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 14 days 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 | 1989 | 2017 |
| Headquarters | Pittsburgh, USA | Tallinn, Estonia |
Overview
ePS Pace
ePS Pace (formerly EFI Pace) is a browser-based management information system built specifically for the printing and packaging industry. You can centralize your entire operation into a single point of control, allowing you to manage complex estimates, track inventory in real-time, and monitor shop floor productivity without jumping between different applications. It helps you eliminate manual data entry and reduces the risk of costly errors in high-volume production environments.
The platform adapts to your specific business needs through its modular architecture, whether you handle digital, offset, or wide-format printing. You can gain deep visibility into your profit margins with integrated accounting and business intelligence tools. By connecting your front office to the production floor, you ensure that every team member has access to the same live data, helping you hit deadlines and maintain consistent quality standards across every job.
Katana
Katana gives you a live look at your entire manufacturing business by unifying your sales, inventory, and production workflows. Instead of juggling messy spreadsheets, you get a visual interface that automatically prioritizes orders based on material availability. You can track raw materials and finished goods in real-time, ensuring you never overstock or run out of essential components during a production run.
The platform is designed specifically for scaling manufacturers who need to move beyond basic accounting tools. You can easily sync your shop floor with your online store, manage outsourced production, and calculate accurate product costs automatically. It helps you eliminate production bottlenecks and fulfill customer orders faster by providing a single source of truth for your entire team.
Overview
ePS Pace Features
- Smart Estimating Generate accurate quotes quickly for complex jobs by automatically calculating material costs, labor, and press time.
- Automated Scheduling Optimize your pressroom capacity with visual scheduling tools that help you manage job priorities and minimize downtime.
- Inventory Management Track paper stock and consumables in real-time so you never run out of materials during a critical production run.
- Shop Floor Data Collection Capture live production data directly from the floor to monitor job progress and employee productivity as it happens.
- Integrated Accounting Manage your accounts payable, receivable, and general ledger within the same system to streamline your monthly financial reporting.
- Business Intelligence Create custom dashboards and reports to analyze your most profitable jobs and identify areas for operational improvement.
Katana Features
- Live Inventory Management. Track your raw materials and finished products in real-time to maintain optimal stock levels and prevent production delays.
- Master Production Scheduling. Drag and drop your manufacturing orders to prioritize jobs and see how changes impact your material requirements instantly.
- Omnichannel Sales Sync. Connect your e-commerce stores and marketplaces to centralize all your sales orders and inventory levels in one place.
- Contract Manufacturing. Manage your outsourced production processes by tracking purchase orders and inventory levels at your partner locations seamlessly.
- Shop Floor App. Give your operators a digital task list on their mobile devices to track time and material consumption accurately.
- Automated Costing. Calculate your precise manufacturing costs based on your bill of materials and production operations without manual calculations.
Pricing Comparison
ePS Pace Pricing
Katana Pricing
- Up to 3 users
- 1 inventory location
- Real-time inventory tracking
- Sales order management
- Basic production planning
- E-commerce integrations
- Everything in Essential, plus:
- Unlimited inventory locations
- Shop Floor mobile app
- Batch and lot tracking
- Multi-currency support
- Full API access
Pros & Cons
ePS Pace
Pros
- Highly customizable modules fit specific print workflows
- Browser-based interface allows access from any device
- Strong reporting capabilities provide deep financial insights
- Excellent at handling complex, multi-part job estimates
Cons
- Significant time investment required for initial setup
- Learning curve is steep for non-technical staff
- System updates can occasionally require IT support
- Customization options can feel overwhelming at first
Katana
Pros
- Intuitive visual interface is easy to navigate
- Seamless integration with Shopify and QuickBooks Online
- Real-time material availability tracking saves significant time
- Excellent customer support and onboarding resources
Cons
- Starting price is high for very small businesses
- Mobile app functionality is limited for administrators
- Advanced reporting requires higher-tier paid plans