07.08.16
Permapack AG, based in Rorschach, has implemented WebCenter and Automation Engine from Esko, signaling an important step toward complete process reliability and automation of processes in packaging production. JDF-based integration with the job entry system Theurer C3, a well-known ERP/MIS trade software solution for the printing and packaging industry, now combines all work processes from the customer to sales through to production in a comprehensive process management solution. As of May 2016, each new project entering the plant is being processed via the modular Automation Engine workflow server, as well as the online approval and communications tool WebCenter.
"We were looking for a solution to cope with the rapid growth in the number of smaller, shorter run jobs being produced with the digital printing technologies we invested in last year. As we had been using ArtPro, Nexus and a CDI Spark 4835 platesetter with inline UV for some time, augmenting our infrastructure with a solution from Esko was virtually automatic," says Markus Wirth, managing director for flexible packaging at Permapack.
Wirth reports that the company invested nearly seven million Swiss Francs in the development of a Digital Center of Excellence and an expansion of its flexible packaging production lines at its site in Rorschach. This investment, combined with the support the company received from Esko, enabled implementation of Automation Engine and WebCenter within just three months.
"Permapack is a company that is characterized by strong growth," explains Armand Gougay from Esko. "Our joint philosophy is to integrate and optimize investments comprehensively into a unified process using Automation Engine and WebCenter. Thanks to this integrated solution, Permapack can now manage and more profitably produce the 20% rise in short run production jobs that has been generated from digital printing."
An important advantage for Permapack with this new integrated solution is that all internal and external parties involved in a project – customer, advertising agency, sales, work preparation, prepress and production – are working with one and the same file. This results in a high level of reliability in the correction and approval process. Via the Viewer, all involved parties have the opportunity to quickly and easily compare versions. The advantages of the WebCenter approval tool are primarily being exploited internally at the moment, although several projects are already underway to integrate large customers into the process via a portal. WebCenter is also not dependent on time, location and language, meaning there are no limits to Permapack’s strategy of expansion into international markets.
"Process reliability, in comparison to manual production, is disproportionately higher with Automation Engine and WebCenter. We estimate that our packaging production can now be processed at least 25% faster," adds Wirth.
"We were looking for a solution to cope with the rapid growth in the number of smaller, shorter run jobs being produced with the digital printing technologies we invested in last year. As we had been using ArtPro, Nexus and a CDI Spark 4835 platesetter with inline UV for some time, augmenting our infrastructure with a solution from Esko was virtually automatic," says Markus Wirth, managing director for flexible packaging at Permapack.
Wirth reports that the company invested nearly seven million Swiss Francs in the development of a Digital Center of Excellence and an expansion of its flexible packaging production lines at its site in Rorschach. This investment, combined with the support the company received from Esko, enabled implementation of Automation Engine and WebCenter within just three months.
"Permapack is a company that is characterized by strong growth," explains Armand Gougay from Esko. "Our joint philosophy is to integrate and optimize investments comprehensively into a unified process using Automation Engine and WebCenter. Thanks to this integrated solution, Permapack can now manage and more profitably produce the 20% rise in short run production jobs that has been generated from digital printing."
An important advantage for Permapack with this new integrated solution is that all internal and external parties involved in a project – customer, advertising agency, sales, work preparation, prepress and production – are working with one and the same file. This results in a high level of reliability in the correction and approval process. Via the Viewer, all involved parties have the opportunity to quickly and easily compare versions. The advantages of the WebCenter approval tool are primarily being exploited internally at the moment, although several projects are already underway to integrate large customers into the process via a portal. WebCenter is also not dependent on time, location and language, meaning there are no limits to Permapack’s strategy of expansion into international markets.
"Process reliability, in comparison to manual production, is disproportionately higher with Automation Engine and WebCenter. We estimate that our packaging production can now be processed at least 25% faster," adds Wirth.