Giving users a full overview and control of their packaging production

Bobst has announced the launch of the first subscription plan of Bobst Connect. This user-centric platform connects converters and brand owners to a digitalized and automated workflow, giving them clear visibility and control of the production process.

The new package –  Bobst Connect Essential  – is available from 01 July 2022 and offers various features and functionalities to help customers optimize their packaging production at every stage. By linking different process steps, Bobst Connect improves efficiency, control, and data knowledge, driving quality and productivity across the value chain.

Bobst Connect Essential includes an end-to-end digital solution, a powerful set of data, and digital tools together in one fully connected platform and puts the power and knowledge of Bobst at the fingertips of its users. As a live platform, it will continually evolve to include new functionalities, new machines, and more machine data. Bobst Connect can link directly to customers’ existing systems and platforms and integrates with third-party cloud-based applications across the value chain, making the experience seamless. In terms of security, Bobst Connect is hosted in a fully secure, ISO 27001-certified environment, providing complete reassurance of data security and privacy.

“In today’s packaging environment, data has become king and can provide a significant competitive advantage,” said Léonard Badet, chief technology officer. “Bobst Connect helps customers to take advantage of the wealth of data produced by their machines, providing the insights and range of solutions that can unlock advances in efficiency, quality, and productivity.”

The first solution package, Bobst Connect Essential, offers a host of features and functionality to help users optimize their packaging production at every stage. These include –

Accurate performance data – Through BobstConnect, users can see a quick view of machine status and health, machine error alerts, and current production performance. It can inform users how different aspects of OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) are impacting production and help to identify and eliminate losses.

Progress indicators –  Bobst Connect highlights the difference between estimated and actual finishing times for each job, enabling operators and plant managers to intervene in a job quickly and at the right time.

Reporting – Bobst Connect delivers live and interactive reports, which can be used to identify, review and track trends. The reports show reasons for machine downtime.

High priority remote assistance – Bobst Connect enables remote connection to a customer’s machine. This service allows customers to have access to augmented reality video streaming with Bobst Technical Services Specialists for quick troubleshooting and issue solving. It is estimated that around 80% of electrical issues can be solved directly online. By using video streaming, problem-solving can be extended to clarify mechanical issues, too. Through Bobst Connect, technical support can quickly diagnose problems based on historical and real-time data.

Bobst Connect is an integral part of the Bobst vision to shape the future of the packaging world based on four cornerstones – connectivity, digitalization, automation, and sustainability.

“At Bobst, we are helping to connect our customers to a digitized and automated workflow while at the same time providing best-in-class machines and a great service experience,” said Raphael Indermühle, head of Business Unit Services & Performance. “Bobst Connect achieves all this and puts our customers fully in control of their own production process. What’s more, Bobst Connect will continually evolve as new solutions are added, meaning the potential competitive advantage will simply continue to grow.”

The Covid-19 pandemic led to the country-wide lockdown on 25 March 2020. It will be two years tomorrow as I write this. What have we learned in this time? Maybe the meaning of resilience since small companies like us have had to rely on our resources and the forbearance of our employees as we have struggled to produce our trade platforms.

The print and packaging industries have been fortunate, although the commercial printing industry is still to recover. We have learned more about the digital transformation that affects commercial printing and packaging. Ultimately digital will help print grow in a country where we are still far behind in our paper and print consumption and where digital is a leapfrog technology that will only increase the demand for print in the foreseeable future.

Web analytics show that we now have readership in North America and Europe amongst the 90 countries where our five platforms reach. Our traffic which more than doubled in 2020, has at times gone up by another 50% in 2021. And advertising which had fallen to pieces in 2020 and 2021, has started its return since January 2022.

As the economy approaches real growth with unevenness and shortages a given, we are looking forward to the PrintPack India exhibition in Greater Noida. We are again appointed to produce the Show Daily on all five days of the show from 26 to 30 May 2022.

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