The Birth of TharsternSQL version 2.5 - 20/04/2005 - Tharstern Limited

20/04/2005 The Birth of TharsternSQL version 2.5

The birth of TharsternSQL v2.5

Visitors to Northprint 2005 were amongst some of the first to see Tharstern’s most recent MIS solution, TharsternSQL version 2.5.  The new release, launched at the exhibition, is in keeping with their innovative reputation by utilising the latest technologies to pack in even more functionality than before.

The already popular software has undergone a series of developments including a wider range of JDF support and the introduction of automatic template based quotation descriptions.

The Accounts integration has also been significantly enhanced. The traditional client side connection to Sage Accounts has been replaced with a server side component that provides a richer integration as well as major improvement in performance. Furthermore, the server side component has been expanded to include generic connectivity to any suitably equipped accounts systems with ODBC capability such as Microsoft Great Plains etc…

A striking enhancement is the option to embed user defined HTML to areas of the suite e.g. Estimates, Customers, Products… Whilst at first hearing this feature might not jump out with advantages to printers, the reality is of endless possibilities and benefits. The MIS passes through the Key ID of the area being viewed, e.g. the job number, through to an active website. This will offer a view of additional information, that isn’t recorded on the SQL database, or provide a means to enter and record additional details not usually done so within the MIS. An example of this in practice would be users within Job Costing being able to automatically view electronic proof of delivery direct from the couriers’ on-line tracking website; or to provide a connection to an internal Quality Assurance system. As this facility is completely customisable it helps to accommodate the additional information requirements of individual printers.

Version 2.5 still comes with its infamous easy to use approach, plus a new a category analysis feature which provides a user defined breakdown report of sales contribution by department. These sales figures can be automatically analysed and posted into different nominal ledger accounts, allowing you to see profit and loss summaries by department.

Another area that has been expanded considerably is the much utilised sub-job feature, within Job Costing, that allows single production jobs to be split into separate sub-jobs of different quantities. Sub-jobs can now be for different clients and excluded from the main job quantity and also be automatically created from linked production estimates, as well as benefiting from their own sub-job category analysis.

The introduction of Bill of Materials (BOM) to V2.5 has enhanced both the Stock Control and Sales Order Processing modules. This aspect helps automate and simplify preparation for the production of ordered goods by synchronising the product specifications across the internal and external supply chain. Essentially materials, processes and components involved to produce the order are identified.  By recognising components or sub-components that are produced in-house the BOM will automatically create jobs and sub-jobs and, furthermore, will identify any external materials or outsourced work required and in-turn check current stock levels, ordering and allocating stock required to complete the order.

Surprisingly, even though e4print has only been recently introduced to the market Tharstern are already extending the scope of the module. The e-commerce software is currently aimed at a printers’ customer to request for quotes, track orders, proof on-line and monitor stock levels. Plus where contract pricing is in place automatic quotes can be created and subsequently ordered.

The e4print module is now accessible to be used internally. For example, Sales Reps or Account Managers can use a unique log-on page via the web that will show them all the current quotes, orders and status of orders for customers in their territory. In addition request for quotes can be done on a customer’s behalf and even orders can be placed for them. The inclusion of this application means that any printer can benefit from e-commerce by using the product internally as an intranet site.

With the advent of V2.5 a more advanced JDF Workflow Connector has also been released, which now supports two way communications with device status and activity feedback direct into the MIS suite. This gives costing feedback from other JDF capable applications such as Screen – Trueflow; Heidelberg – Data Control; Komori – K-station; Agfa – Apogee X and any other suitable software.

The launch of TharsternSQL version 2.5 brings with it a whole host of new features and functionality, far too many to mention here. Tharstern reported the launch at Northprint generated a level of strong interest and excitement for the new features. Overall though, Tharstern have lived up to their reputation as a leading MIS supplier, by building on an already successful product used by over 700 customers worldwide. Tharstern have clearly listened to and anticipated printer’s needs to provide a fresh and innovative MIS solution.