The Venice-based business, which sells across Europe including the UK, found that commercial MIS packages did not meet its needs and hired four software engineers to create a bespoke system based on open-source software. A year and a half and 400,000 (£333,340) later the system has now been hooked into the company's new website where it manages estimates, orders, workflow and administrative tasks.

The back-end system enables customers to track their orders through the production cycle and make changes such as delaying delivery times to take advantage of special offers. It has also meant the company is able to more effectively manage the website and implement changes such as new language versions.

Chief executive Matteo Rigamonti said a Spanish-language version of the site was created within a week and he is already seeing growth since the site was launched with more customers making multiple orders.

"This August we saw a 65% increase in growth, compared with August of the previous year," he said. "So far in September we have seen growth figures of around 55%. In terms of customer satisfaction we have received very good feedback particularly in relation to the improved speed and the ease of use."

The company initially considered badging the software platform and reselling it to other print companies but has since changed its mind. "We aren't a software house," said Rigamonti. "We are a printer."