03.29.16
Hart Industries' two-year subscription to Esko's WebCenter Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution has allowed Hart to effectively establish a customer item database and implement a graphics specification review and approval system for all of its current and future customers.
Hart is a premier source for flexographic printing and converting located in a modern, hygienic, climate-controlled facility. The company has focused on specialty paper and coated packaging for the manufacturers of consumer products in the US and around the world.
Rick Rosenberger, operations manager at Hart Industries, arrived at Hart with decades of experience from some of the largest companies in the industry, where he worked closely with several graphics departments. Hart’s Graphics Department performs all graphics work internally for its customers, taking full advantage of equipment such as Esko’s Cyrel Digital Imager while also utilizing Esko’s DeskPack Powerlayout plugin program. The DeskPack program provides Hart the ability to step and repeat artwork and add dynamic marks where required. The CDI allows Hart to proceed from artwork to press in a single day. The challenge that remained for Rosenberger and the Graphics Department surrounded the ever-changing nature of consumer products and frequent adjustments and necessary approvals required for production.
Rosenberger describes the original artwork correspondence stating, “our Graphics Department historically sent artwork via email to the customer for approval. Usually, the customer would email, in parts, explanations of what details, adjustments or amendments they required. We would then respond to the customer requests via email. This process would go back and forth until final approval.
"The problem was," says Rosenberger, “the email approvals were sporadic, sometimes unclear and not as concise as we would like. While the customer would send a message saying 'art is approved once you make this change,' it's really not the kind of approval an art department wants.” The various formats of approvals created confusion and an unnecessary margin for error.
The demand for an effective interface between Hart and its customers increased in the time leading up to Hart’s Safe Quality Food Level III certification process this past November. The SQF certification reflects heightened consumer concern for greater food safety requiring package suppliers to provide verifiable proof that a robust quality and safety control system is implemented. Under the codes and regulations of this body, Hart is required to present an artwork and specification approval for each of its current items. This is an important aspect of traceability and validation.
In order to successfully meet this requirement and remedy the miscues from the original system of communication, Hart’s Graphics Department began exploring alternative solutions for its approval process. Rosenberger recommended WebCenter as a useful tool that he had previously used and found to be a productive and beneficial tool. When Hart’s Esko representative introduced WebCenter, Hart was immediately interested in the program.
Rosenberger’s familiarity with the program gave him insight into how to manage the subscription and utilize its full capability as soon as possible. “We couldn’t rationalize purchasing software and paying for outsourced IT support," he says. "We were much more comfortable testing a SaaS solution. Esko offered a very affordable monthly subscription proposal. As soon as it was approved, Esko set up our WebCenter and gave us full and complete control of the application. They took care of the IT and archiving, and if the system ever goes down, they maintain it for us.”
To begin implementation, Hart Industries systematically went through its graphics archives in order to upload artwork onto WebCenter and review which items previously had unclear or missing artwork approvals. Uploading all of the artwork not only created an organized structure for an active item database, but also provided Hart with the ability to easily confirm approvals through the web based interactive platform. The one-up graphics and step files for every SKU were deposited into the database included with item specification sheets identifying product attributes and item properties.
The smooth development allowed Hart to open up customer access to its WebCenter in less than three months. WebCenter immediately served as a standardized format for Hart to interact with a wide variety of customers effectively. The customization of users and groups enabled Hart to “provide customer access to their respective space,” Rosenberger explains. “If they want to see what is current, they can access the information right in WebCenter. The customers really like the interaction, the ability to make comments on their items, and the general personalization of their portal. The customers can see the artwork, the specifications, colors, trap between colors, how the files are stepped, and how the end product will look when it is produced. We get nothing but praise for it, and it gives Hart a professional look. There are no more confusing emails.”
Hart Industries found that the implementation of WebCenter opened up new advantages in its own production. With remote access, graphic designers can use WebCenter anywhere at anytime. This feature also allows for Hart to outsource their ITR “in the round” plates. While Hart makes all of its flat plates internally, a plate supplier creates the seamless plates by locating stepped artwork on WebCenter and making the plates. The ability to customize the use of WebCenter expands the capabilities of Hart’s Graphic Department.
Hart is a premier source for flexographic printing and converting located in a modern, hygienic, climate-controlled facility. The company has focused on specialty paper and coated packaging for the manufacturers of consumer products in the US and around the world.
Rick Rosenberger, operations manager at Hart Industries, arrived at Hart with decades of experience from some of the largest companies in the industry, where he worked closely with several graphics departments. Hart’s Graphics Department performs all graphics work internally for its customers, taking full advantage of equipment such as Esko’s Cyrel Digital Imager while also utilizing Esko’s DeskPack Powerlayout plugin program. The DeskPack program provides Hart the ability to step and repeat artwork and add dynamic marks where required. The CDI allows Hart to proceed from artwork to press in a single day. The challenge that remained for Rosenberger and the Graphics Department surrounded the ever-changing nature of consumer products and frequent adjustments and necessary approvals required for production.
Rosenberger describes the original artwork correspondence stating, “our Graphics Department historically sent artwork via email to the customer for approval. Usually, the customer would email, in parts, explanations of what details, adjustments or amendments they required. We would then respond to the customer requests via email. This process would go back and forth until final approval.
"The problem was," says Rosenberger, “the email approvals were sporadic, sometimes unclear and not as concise as we would like. While the customer would send a message saying 'art is approved once you make this change,' it's really not the kind of approval an art department wants.” The various formats of approvals created confusion and an unnecessary margin for error.
The demand for an effective interface between Hart and its customers increased in the time leading up to Hart’s Safe Quality Food Level III certification process this past November. The SQF certification reflects heightened consumer concern for greater food safety requiring package suppliers to provide verifiable proof that a robust quality and safety control system is implemented. Under the codes and regulations of this body, Hart is required to present an artwork and specification approval for each of its current items. This is an important aspect of traceability and validation.
In order to successfully meet this requirement and remedy the miscues from the original system of communication, Hart’s Graphics Department began exploring alternative solutions for its approval process. Rosenberger recommended WebCenter as a useful tool that he had previously used and found to be a productive and beneficial tool. When Hart’s Esko representative introduced WebCenter, Hart was immediately interested in the program.
Rosenberger’s familiarity with the program gave him insight into how to manage the subscription and utilize its full capability as soon as possible. “We couldn’t rationalize purchasing software and paying for outsourced IT support," he says. "We were much more comfortable testing a SaaS solution. Esko offered a very affordable monthly subscription proposal. As soon as it was approved, Esko set up our WebCenter and gave us full and complete control of the application. They took care of the IT and archiving, and if the system ever goes down, they maintain it for us.”
To begin implementation, Hart Industries systematically went through its graphics archives in order to upload artwork onto WebCenter and review which items previously had unclear or missing artwork approvals. Uploading all of the artwork not only created an organized structure for an active item database, but also provided Hart with the ability to easily confirm approvals through the web based interactive platform. The one-up graphics and step files for every SKU were deposited into the database included with item specification sheets identifying product attributes and item properties.
The smooth development allowed Hart to open up customer access to its WebCenter in less than three months. WebCenter immediately served as a standardized format for Hart to interact with a wide variety of customers effectively. The customization of users and groups enabled Hart to “provide customer access to their respective space,” Rosenberger explains. “If they want to see what is current, they can access the information right in WebCenter. The customers really like the interaction, the ability to make comments on their items, and the general personalization of their portal. The customers can see the artwork, the specifications, colors, trap between colors, how the files are stepped, and how the end product will look when it is produced. We get nothing but praise for it, and it gives Hart a professional look. There are no more confusing emails.”
Hart Industries found that the implementation of WebCenter opened up new advantages in its own production. With remote access, graphic designers can use WebCenter anywhere at anytime. This feature also allows for Hart to outsource their ITR “in the round” plates. While Hart makes all of its flat plates internally, a plate supplier creates the seamless plates by locating stepped artwork on WebCenter and making the plates. The ability to customize the use of WebCenter expands the capabilities of Hart’s Graphic Department.