Printmax

One product, universal application Prior to implementing HiFlow MIS, Printmax used a variety of stitched-together solutions for valuation and production management. The approach created information silos and a disjointed production system. Printmax now uses only one MIS system that integrates all its production workflows, improves productivity, and boosts ROI.

The HiFlow system automatically builds a production workflow diagram for each job, based on process needed to produce a given job. Technicians can see and track all aspects of the process as the job moves through production and can dig down for greater details as required. This level of information is unavailable in many other systems. With its intuitive user interface and easy-to-use functions, HiFlow MIS makes it possible to correctly calculate and plan very complicated projects, such as POP displays, with ease and timeliness.

With HiFlow MIS, managers and operators receive immediate information on the progress of individual jobs directly from equipment. Prior to installing HiFlow, information generated by the shop-floor equipment required additional data collection by personnel and then had to be re-entered to render it useable for further analysis. The process did not provide immediate feedback and wasted time for staff and the company.

One of the HiFlow features that Printmax managers particularly appreciated is the module that tracks die management. The system provides real-time information about the state of each die, where it’s stored, and tracks the die’s progress based on information from production. It also provides information such as mechanical dimensions, types, quantities, and the condition of dies, in order to save time needed to prepare them for a job. Makeready time is reduced significantly because dies are where they should be and easily accessible for a job.

The HiFlow system quickly calculates estimates based on predefined production templates throughout the workflow. Data on individual operations—printing, die cutting, laminating—allows estimators to easily calculate the exact cost of production for any number of job parameters. The system then allows managers to track jobs from estimate and order intake to production, shipping and invoicing using an extensive multi-level approval mechanism. For example, HiFlow allows Printmax to conveniently schedule job production based on project management (Gantt) charts. The production flow, stage of each job, and operational efficiency of equipment and operators are captured directly from the production floor in real-time. Every single aspect of a job’s workflow can be tracked by managers, from estimating to scheduling to invoicing.

The HiFlow system has enabled Printmax to implement ​​a paperless office, where all information is now stored and managed in digital format. The Printmax management board has insight into the entire production and economic situation in real time with HiFlow’s specially developed custom dashboards. Any information is always only a click away and ready to be acted on if necessary.