PRINTMAX

By investing in an ERP /MIS system, Printmax aims to enhance its overall operational efficiency.
Printmax, an international company with 80 employees, has been a leading name in the EU packaging industry for more than 20 years. With a state-of-the-art plant in Warsaw, Poland, the company is known for its specialization in solid board packaging and PET, PCV, and PP films with products that include food and pharmaceutical industries.
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The company was facing challenges with fragmented systems that hindered efficiency and collaboration. Artur Szor, co-owner of Printmax, emphasized the importance of this integration: “We were looking for a comprehensive solution that integrated with all the departments of our organization.
Our goal was to streamline our operations, enhance communication, and ensure that all aspects of our business were aligned.”

Printmax’s diverse product range and required a robust ERP system capable of handling complex
workflows and detailed specifications. The company needed a system that could manage the complex workflows and specialized production processes of each specialized product including food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical. The ERP solution had to support the company’s wide range of materials and processes, from solid board packaging to advanced film applications and specialty finishes.
Automation of workflows will facilitate better planning, scheduling, and production management, ensuring that machine utilization is optimized, and production KPIs are tracked effectively.

Disjointed systems, manual processes and no real-time data was stifling growth and innovation. 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.
Szor remarks about what was in place before implementing HiFlow. “Printmax’s estimating department used simple apps that we created, which were not connected in any way to CSRs, and production planning, or any other department. We were doing a lot of manual processes. In addition, since we did not collect shop floor data; nothing was readily available for cost and performance analysis.”
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.

Printmax embraced a significant overhaul of their systems, automating and intgrating processes.

When Printmax sought to upgrade its outdated workflow with a state-of-the-art ERP/MIS system, they turned to HiFlow Solutions. Artur Szor, co owner, explained, “In order to improve relationships with key clients, we selected and implemented the integrated HiFlow MIS system, which we find best suits our needs and our clients’ expectations.”

Printmax saw a marked increase in visibility with HiFlow. The system automatically generates a detailed production workflow diagram for each job, based on the specific processes required. Technicians can monitor and track all aspects of the job as it progresses through production, with the ability to drill down for more detailed information as needed. This level of detail and transparency was unavailable in other systems. With its intuitive user interface and user-friendly dashboards, HiFlow’s ERP/MIS enables the accurate calculation and planning of complex projects, such as POP displays, providing visiblity of each job.

Real time updates updates on the progress of individual jobs directly from the equipment was a boon for management. This automation extends to estimating, planning, and production, systematizing quotes, orders, and jobs, and making workflows transparent. “Our employees are empowered by clearly understood workflow paths,” Szor noted. “Planning and scheduling plans are accessible on terminals on the shop floor, greatly improving operations and increasing efficiencies.” Planners can see exactly what is currently in production, monitor for delays, and understand the status of each job in real-time, facilitating optimal decision-making even with short lead times and just-in-time deliveries.

HiFlow’s modules comprehensively cover all Printmax departments, from sales and customer service to estimating and production planning, production, shop floor data collection, warehouse management, MES sensors on machines, and accounting and purchasing. Szor particularly appreciated the in-depth analysis of data to inform Printmax’s business decisions. “We have easy and unlimited access to data with HiFlow,” Szor explained, “allowing us to determine the most profitable jobs and identify areas for savings and increased efficiency.”

Printmax fully leverages HiFlow’s extensive data collection tools, including post-production cost analysis. This capability enables them to analyze data thoroughly, leading to more informed and conscious decision-making.

By implementing HiFlow, Printmax not only improved production capacity and organizational procedures but also enhanced their ability to make data-driven decisions. The comprehensive ERP/MIS system provided them with the tools necessary to streamline operations, improve client relationships, and achieve greater profitability.

Digital information platform delivers in real time

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.

Complete job estimating and tracking

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.

Customer – vendor relationship

Establishing and maintaining a relationship with important vendors was key to Szor. HiFlow fulfilled his expectations. “When we were looking at potential software vendors, an important aspect for us was a good relationship and communication. A vendor must have a strong service ethic and be available when we need them. These are all important aspects of the relationship between a manufacturer and the software provider.”

Tools & dies tracking system

The tools management feature provides information on the history and durability of tools, enhancing operational efficiency. 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.