Midnight has all the obvious features necessary to effectively run Print and Mail business, Estimates, Orders, Inventory, Invoicing and much more. All too often once a system is implemented, the core features are fully utilized while the additional bells and whistles are missed. Reporting, tracking, and communication can be greatly improved by utilizing these 3 hidden gems within Midnight. As you read about them keep in mind that improved communication leads to better service and better service leads to more sales.
CRM Activities Management
The CRM module includes easy management of customer related tasks and communications. Sales team members can set-up reminders to call clients and prospects as well as create follow-up activities. All of these items are logged inside the CRM under the History tab. The History tab also provides a record of all communications emailed from Midnight. This feature improves team knowledge of the client and potential upcoming projects and eliminates the need to comb through 100’s of emails if a Sales Person or Account Manager is out. The activity scheduling module also allows for adding activities to other team members’ schedules. With the CRM Completed and CRM Pending Activities widgets activities can be viewed by user, keeping your team up to date and your client activities current.
Issues Reporting
The Issues Reporting tool serves multiple purposes: assigning credits, identifying issues with order instructions, and identifying equipment issues to name a few. Companies may be hesitant to utilize the tool but it is a great way to identify areas for improvement within the organization. In the first month of utilizing Issue Reporting there may be upwards of 75 issues. Not all issues are credit related. This tool makes it easy to identify processes and equipment that need to be addressed. As the issues are identified and processes and procedures are addressed the number of reported issues will gradually decline. We suggest weekly meetings to review issues and update the system with status and credits. The tool also serves as a real-time tool notifying a selected group of any issue occurring on a shift immediately via email. Companies running 2nd and 3rd shifts can easily see why a job was not completed by referring to issue emails and the overall issue report.
Proof Module
The proof module with the proofing widget makes checking proof status for members of the team quick and easy. Production management can see what the status of a proof is, when it was sent to the client and any comments made regarding the proofs. Moving proofing out of Account Managers’ email boxes increases the speed at which approvals can be moved forward in the process. When an Account Manager is out sick it is easy to see the status of all proofs. Each time a proof or a comment is made it is updated in the system to easily track what time proofs and responses were sent. In the fast-paced world of print and mail this tool is a real time saver. The biggest challenge in many companies is letting go of the current method of proofing.
Any one of the three Midnight features outlined can make great improvements in communication without slowing down the process. Better communication is one of the keys to expediting jobs and increasing value with clients.
