Details:
Summary:
Prinect Performance Benchmarking is a subscription-based application for Speedmaster presses that provides personalized and objective performance data through Heidelberg's secure connectivity. The cloud-based application is designed for printers who have employed a Lean manufacturing process for efficiency and continuous improvement based on the concept of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE). "In the time we have used this tool, it has proved time and again to help us to objectively evaluate our performance using OEE Statistics. Now we also not only print to the numbers, we also manufacture according to the numbers," explained Anthony Thirlby, managing director, ESP Colour, Ltd.
Prinect Performance Benchmarking enables print shops to compare the performance and overall productivity of their Speedmaster presses and to compare operators with those of other printers participating in their peer group. "This benchmarking program can tell the printer exactly what he needs to improve upon," commented a judge.
Once the software is activated, the Speedmaster press regularly and automatically delivers completely anonymous performance data to a secure Heidelberg central server where it is processed for evaluation. This data forms the basis of personalized, objective performance reports which can be accessed online at any time using a simple Internet browser interface, displayed with easy-to-read charts and diagrams. "The data the printer receives can also show the printer where his people problems are," noted another judge. Nicholas P. Ferris, president, MasterTag, stated, "The system gives us a visual indication of our production and shows us exactly how we are performing on a weekly or monthly basis."
Any data provided by the Speedmaster press is treated as confidential and cannot be accessed by other participating subscribers. "No one else offers this, comparing apples to apples ... it is worth its weight in gold for the printer that takes true advantage of benchmarking," stated another judge.
Press performance is compared to the average performance of all participating presses and also to the highest performing press in the selected peer group. It analyzes achieved production speeds, waste vs. good sheet ratio, and time efficiency, helping the printer to understand and identify performance optimization potentials in and around the press. "We have actually raised the productivity bar and are printing at maximum speeds with minimal waste, which also supports our efforts to be considerate to the environment," emphasized Thirlby.
Because the application is cloud-based, there are no software or hardware components to install or license. All that is required is that the Speedmaster press be configured with a Prinect Press Center operating console running a current version of Speedmaster software (S10A or newer) and be connected to the Heidelberg's Webbased remote service. Activation of the service occurs within 24 hours after the application has been submitted.
The efficiencies and ROI of Performance Benchmarking may not be directly related to the program itself. However, based on information the program provides, the printer is empowered to analyze strengths and weaknesses in production and take the necessary actions to correct and capitalize accordingly. In Heidelberg's experience, printers who have realized undesirable OEE figures and have commissioned their consulting services to evaluate production have seen improvements. Analysis finds ways to improve production simply by modifying procedures and implementing improved production standards and policies. In some cases, the owner was not fully aware of production "problems" until they were clearly available and analyzed.