Two packaging industry software suppliers have reached a partnership milestone, with the recent installation of Esko Automation Engine and CERM Management Information System (MIS) at French label converting specialist Estrabols Imprimeur, marking the 100th collaboration.

Esko, the global developer of integrated hardware and software solutions for the packaging industry, and CERM, which offers software solutions for integrated workflows designed specifically for the labeling and packaging sectors, have worked together to deliver a totally integrated workflow automation and management information system to common customers.

“We are delighted to have again partnered with CERM to deliver a complete solution to our customer,” comments Esko Product Manager Paul Land. “With Automation Engine integrating seamlessly with the CERM Management Information System, we are able to optimize end-to-end production, delivering increased throughput and efficiency, while also ensuring consistent quality."

The 100th collaboration between the two organizations was at Béziers-based Estrabols Imprimeur, a leading supplier of labels in France and around the world for almost 70 years. “With Automation Engine and CERM MIS, the in-house design and integrated prepress departments now have end-to-end efficiency and can ensure the company’s exacting quality standards are continuously met. Errors are reduced by 80% with automated quality checks, while standardized processes and offloading tasks to the automated workflow software significantly increase throughput,” says Land.

Marine Estrabols, managing director of Estrabols Imprimeur, said the business and its customers were already enjoying the benefits of the new installation. “We pride ourselves on investing in our people and our equipment to ensure we deliver the best quality product and service to our customers,” she says. “As part of our continued evolution, we were looking to optimize our production processes, from start to finish.

“When putting Automation Engine in place it made sense to do it right first time,” adds Estrabols. “Connecting CERM to Automation Engine allows us to drive prepress with the same dataset used by CERM. This helps us reduce the number of errors and enables faster throughput.”

Lowie-Pascal Geerinck, product manager of CERM, explains that the link between Esko Automation Engine and CERM MIS means that Estrabols Imprimeur’ customer service and prepress teams are always talking the same language. “While Automation Engine updates CERM with vital data, correct views for tooling and the completed file, as well as delivering color information, CERM automatically delivers the correct parameters to process the files quickly and accurately, and is as automated as possible,” says Geernick. “Our collaboration ensures we are securing complete prepress integrations and aligning them with every other aspect of the customer business," he said. "This in turn is helping our customers evolve into the smart factories of the future.”

Geert Van Damme, Managing Director at CERM, adds, “The first integration with Esko dates back to 2004. In 2009, CERM and Esko received a CIPPI Award with the integration of 5 Sept Etiquette in France. The CIPPI Awards are distinctions from CIP4 to highlight particularly remarkable JDF integrations. In 2016, CERM and Esko celebrated their 50th integration with the Norwegian Digital Label, and today, Estrabols Imprimeur is our 100th integration. It is a long history of trust, collaboration and exchange of experiences and skills to provide the most complete and efficient solution possible to our customer."