Though I have thought about it, I cannot even estimate the number of times I have been asked why I advocate the ExpressDigital software so heavily. Feature for feature, for me and for my business, it is the best overall solution for everything that I am attempting to do. An awful lot of people agree with me. An awful lot don't. That isn't the point. The point is that I made a selection that works for me and for my needs. You need to do the exact same thing.
Workflow software is much more important than just managing your catalogs of images and sending prints to your printer. It is about creating custom items, maintaining a history for your customers and delivering an error free experience to the buying process. Online sales are non-existent for me. I don't do it much as I find that it actually lowers my sales given the way that I do things. I find higher value in my selection of workflow software than e-commerce convenience. Yes, it is about making your life easier but it is also about speed, quality and custom product.
Make a choice for yourself one way or another. Here are some options for you to use in your evaluations. The list isn't exhaustive, but it includes everything that I have looked at in the past. I'll make no comments about each or any further suggestions as I think you know what any suggestion from me would be.
FREE Software*
ExpressDigital Darkroom Web Edition
Printroom Pro Studio ManagerKodak ProShots Basics Discontinued by Kodak. Move Along.
Remote Order Entry System (ROES)
ZBE WorkStream DS
None of these applications provide you with the ability to print.
Paid Software (Sorry, I don't have prices for some of these.)
ExpressDigital Darkroom Core Edition $495
ExpressDigital Darkroom Professional Edition $1,395
ExpressDigital Assembly Edition $3,995
ImageWare School Days+ ** $2,000 to $3,000 (Print support)
ImageWare Studio * $2,500
ImageWare PC Pro * $1,750
ImageWare PC Event $1,150
Timestone NeoPak/NeoPak Plus/NeoPak Pro $1,200/$2,600/$3,800.
Timestone OutPost # $340 year
Timestone CapturePost # $340 year
Timestone DataPost # $380 year
TriPrism TEPS-X (Mac OS X only) $1,995 The only Mac application that I am aware of.
Kodak ProShots * $249 Discontinued by Kodak. Move Along.
LabPrints * Free to $300 depending on features
Fuji Studiomaster Pro * $249
PerformerPro *
OzEWare **
PhotoLynx **
MicroArt **
5 Minute Photo * $149 to $249 New versions 3/1/07
LumaPix ** $39.95 to $299.95 (Print support)
* No in studio printing support.
** Some versions provide in studio printing.
# Requires NeoPak/NeoPak Plus/NeoPak Pro for printing.
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[...] Workflow Software Listing [...]
[...] Workflow software listing from September 2006. [...]
I couldn’t understand some parts of this article Workflow Software, but I guess I just need to check some more resources regarding this, because it sounds interesting.
What about Adobe LightRoom?
Jim – If you look at the list the common thread is that these aren’t just studio workflow applications. Everything that is listed there is an import to print solution and all of them provide some type of back end connection to photo labs for printing or some type of feature that provides for on site presentation and sales. Lightroom is workflow software, just not in the same context as the applications that are listed here.
[...] Workflow Software Listing [...]
[...] Workflow software listing from September 2006. [...]