Building a New Print MIS by the (Yellow) Book

A few weeks ago at Graph Expo 2016, we presented the alpha release of “Odyssey,” the codename for the new Print Management Information System (Print MIS) designed to end printers’ double-entry dilemma. We thought, “If a print buyer is entering order information on a printer’s website, why does the printer have to re-enter it into their Print MIS?”

Removing Steps to Eliminate Print MIS Double-Entry

One of our biggest sources of inspiration for building Odyssey is a yellow book titled Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products by Nir Eyal. In his book, Eyal refers to another book (Something Really New: Three Simple Steps to Creating Truly Innovative Products, by Denis J. Hauptly) when he says this:

First, Hauptly states, understand the reason people use a product or service. Next, lay out the steps the customer must take to get the job done. Finally, once the series of tasks from intention to outcome is understood, simply start removing steps until you reach the simplest possible process.

That’s it! Odyssey removes steps (the steps that are responsible for double-entry of order information) and helps you reach the simplest possible process by reducing six touchpoints in the order entry process down to two! The result? No more double entry in your Print MIS!

Yellow-Book It

A phrase that’s often heard echoing through our office during the development of Odyssey is, “Yellow-book it!” which means lay out all the tasks required, then start removing steps to reach the simplest possible process. That’s the Odyssey experience!

Odyssey is scheduled to launch in January 2017. To learn more about Odyssey, take a look at Odyssey’s preview, as presented on the show floor of Graph Expo.