End to End workflow automation with print MIS Software
August 18, 2025
Case Study: Transforming Supplier-Driven Catalog Management with PrintPLANR’s B2B Storefronts
Overview
A leading print broker and a group of promotional print companies were struggling to manage customer orders through phone calls and emails. Information gaps, outdated pricing, and stock mismanagement led to delays, wrong production, and unhappy customers.
By deploying PrintPLANR’s Web-to-Print B2B Storefront, these companies revolutionized how their customers ordered products, particularly in the hospitality and real estate sectors.
The Challenge
Before implementing PrintPLANR, these companies faced:
-
Manual ordering cycles:
Orders came in via phone calls or emails, leading to missing details and production errors.
-
Outdated product data:
Prices and stock levels were often inaccurate, creating revenue losses and broken commitments.
-
Limited customer autonomy:
Customers had no way to self-order, reorder, or check order status online.
-
Branding restrictions:
Any online presence looked generic, making it harder to offer a truly branded experience.
The Solution: Supplier-Powered B2B Stores
PrintPLANR built a network of easy-to-set-up, supplier-driven B2B stores for these businesses:
-
Supplier or Aggregator Catalog Integration
Product data, pricing, and stock levels flowed directly from suppliers’ websites or third-party aggregators into each store in real time.
-
Branded Storefronts for Every Customer
Over 100 custom-branded stores were created, each reflecting the customer’s own identity and offering a seamless ordering experience.
-
Real-Time Pricing & Stock
Eliminated out-of-stock surprises and outdated prices by syncing directly with suppliers.
-
End-to-End Workflow Integration
Orders flowed directly into the company’s MIS backend. In some cases, automated workflows created jobs and purchase orders for internal review before sending to suppliers.
Key Features Used
-
Self-Service Ordering with Reorder Option:
Customers could place new orders or reorder previous items without starting from scratch.
-
Print-on-Demand & Editable Products:
Variable data printing and on-behalf ordering simplified custom print jobs.
-
Approval Workflows:
Built-in artwork review and approval process, with payment collection if needed, before orders moved to production.
-
Customer-Specific Branding:
Each portal appeared as the customer’s own ordering platform.
The Results
-
Zero Lost Orders & Errors Reduced
All orders and specifications were captured accurately within the portal.
-
Faster Turnaround & Happier Customers
Automated workflows and direct supplier integration cut order-to-production time significantly.
-
100+ Stores Launched with Ease
Hospitality and real estate clients now order on-the-go through their own portals.
-
Eliminated Revenue Loss
Real-time pricing and stock visibility ended billing mistakes and stock-out issues.
-
Scalable Platform for the Future
New features like variable data printing, artwork approvals, and automated POs continue to evolve, making the system even more powerful.
Conclusion
With PrintPLANR’s B2B Web-to-Print platform, print brokers and promotional product suppliers transformed a time-consuming, error-prone ordering process into a streamlined, customer-driven digital experience.
If your print, signage, promotional, or apparel business is still managing orders through emails and calls, PrintPLANR can help you move to a branded, supplier-integrated B2B storefront that reduces time lag, improves accuracy, and keeps customers delighted.
Get in touch with us today to learn how you can launch your own supplier-driven B2B stores.
Previous Article