Antalis is the biggest paper merchant in Europe, and the deal initially relates to the German market. 

Heidelberg-owned Zaikio has developed an open platform with the aim of “democratising the printing industry” by connecting printers, brand owners, customers, suppliers, and equipment and software manufacturers. 

Zaikio Procurement is now live, with Sappi and MetaPaper are already connected along with eight MIS providers including Heidelberg’s own Prinect system. 

“Printers will be able to access the Antalis product portfolio in the future. In an initial step, they and their suppliers will be able to digitise and optimise their procurement process,” Heidelberg explained.

Zaikio Mission Control is set to go live in Q4.

The platform was the subject of a Printweek Star Product at the end of last year. 

Christian Weyer, managing director of technology at Zaikio, said the firm aimed to find solution to the problems and challenges faced by printers, and he was delighted to have Antalis on board.  

“With Zaikio Procurement, we’re aiming to give all print shops direct access to suppliers’ material and price lists. This will facilitate costings and orders, and also automate processes. Antalis is an important partner to have on board, helping us turn this vision into reality,” he said. 

Heidelberg CEO Rainer Hundsdörfer said the group was already in talks with “further big players” with the initial focus on signing up all the major suppliers for the German-speaking market onto Zaikio’s Procurement platform, “which will mean print shops will be able to use a single application to place orders with all their suppliers”.