Information Integration
August 2005
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With package printers on the hot seat for nimble customer responsiveness at the lowest possible cost, accurate real-time information is a must.
WHEN IT COMES to cutting costs and investing in the future, package printers have always had plenty of options on how to spend their money. The list just keeps getting longer, and the opportunities more tantalizing.
In recent years, business and production software has been climbing to the top of the list and increasingly winning the fight for the limited capital resources. The reasons for this vary, but ultimately, it boils down to the growing need to run highly efficient and effective operations, with super-fast turnaround times and speed of response. Software that seamlessly links business processes can provide what is needed, allowing package printers to make the most from the equipment investments they have made.
Michael Schneider, national sales manager, labels and packaging for EFI, believes that package printers are finally starting to catch on, "finally getting the message and seeing the value of integrated systems—more accurate, quicker response times."
As is typical, commercial printers are out in front of their package-printing brethren, actively implementing integrated software systems for more than three years now, says Schneider. But package printers are getting in with both feet and companies such as EFI are there to help.
Schneider acknowledges that packaging is more complex. He cites examples such as the 3D aspects associated with folding cartons, and the distortions and tension variables that impact ink consumption in flexible packaging.
EFI addresses concerns such as these by targeting its products toward specific business segments. EFI's PSI Management System is targeted toward narrow-web pressure-sensitive labels and narrow flexible packaging materials, while its EFI Hagen OA product line is focused more on folding carton printers.
EFI recently released version 11.2 of the PSI print management information solution that includes a browser-based data collection tool called EFI MyDC, and a new quote module designed for flexo printers. MyDC improves speed and accuracy of shop-floor data collection via a streamlined interface that reduces the number of keystrokes required for data entry.
The new Flexo Quote module is designed specifically for the needs of flexo printers. "The interface better meets the needs of flexo users by providing a much more efficient user interface with flexo-specific terminology," says Clay Horsley, EFI PSI Product Manager.
A key enabling technology that is paving the way for software system integration in the printing arena is JDF. This printing-specific standard does for data integration, movement, and use what HTML has done for text information.
WHEN IT COMES to cutting costs and investing in the future, package printers have always had plenty of options on how to spend their money. The list just keeps getting longer, and the opportunities more tantalizing.
In recent years, business and production software has been climbing to the top of the list and increasingly winning the fight for the limited capital resources. The reasons for this vary, but ultimately, it boils down to the growing need to run highly efficient and effective operations, with super-fast turnaround times and speed of response. Software that seamlessly links business processes can provide what is needed, allowing package printers to make the most from the equipment investments they have made.
Michael Schneider, national sales manager, labels and packaging for EFI, believes that package printers are finally starting to catch on, "finally getting the message and seeing the value of integrated systems—more accurate, quicker response times."
As is typical, commercial printers are out in front of their package-printing brethren, actively implementing integrated software systems for more than three years now, says Schneider. But package printers are getting in with both feet and companies such as EFI are there to help.
Schneider acknowledges that packaging is more complex. He cites examples such as the 3D aspects associated with folding cartons, and the distortions and tension variables that impact ink consumption in flexible packaging.
EFI addresses concerns such as these by targeting its products toward specific business segments. EFI's PSI Management System is targeted toward narrow-web pressure-sensitive labels and narrow flexible packaging materials, while its EFI Hagen OA product line is focused more on folding carton printers.
EFI recently released version 11.2 of the PSI print management information solution that includes a browser-based data collection tool called EFI MyDC, and a new quote module designed for flexo printers. MyDC improves speed and accuracy of shop-floor data collection via a streamlined interface that reduces the number of keystrokes required for data entry.
The new Flexo Quote module is designed specifically for the needs of flexo printers. "The interface better meets the needs of flexo users by providing a much more efficient user interface with flexo-specific terminology," says Clay Horsley, EFI PSI Product Manager.
A key enabling technology that is paving the way for software system integration in the printing arena is JDF. This printing-specific standard does for data integration, movement, and use what HTML has done for text information.
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