‘Out of the box’ connection

Cerm and Screen unveil “fully automated” MIS-printer connection

Screen is Cerm's first manufacturer to become a 'premium integrations partner'

Packaging and label printer MIS developer Cerm has unveiled inkjet manufacturer Screen as the first press manufacturer to have its kit directly integrated in an ‘out of the box’ connection with Cerm’s MIS.

The partnership – which labels Screen as Cerm’s first press manufacturer ‘premium integrations partner’ – allows Screen’s Equios workflow software and the Cerm MIS to communicate back and forth, automatically setting up jobs and allowing operators to simply monitor and start production.

"The decision was obvious," said Peter Heyse, Cerm's director of product management. "Screen is a perfect fit to become our next premium integrations partner.

“When existing or new Cerm customers share their plans to invest in new production equipment, we always point them to the importance of our integrations, as a ‘must have’ to streamline production. And with Screen, it is an eyes-closed certainty that it increases efficiency from day one.

“Our existing deep integration makes adopting our MIS quick and seamless, enhancing productivity across their entire workflow almost immediately. This integration doesn’t require any onsite research. It is a proven standardised solution that is available out of the box, and that is highly appreciated by multiple customers.”

Cerm claims drastic improvements in efficiency, with production time decreases as high as 74% observed by the firm.

The process works by converting orders into JDF files, triggering a “seamless” workflow into Equios, setting up the press. During and after printing, Equios returns production data through JMF files to the MIS for optimisation and analysis, with a final set of JDF files returned to the printer with instructions for finishing equipment based on the JMF data.

Counting Screen alongside existing premium integration partners ABG, Esko and Hybrid Software, Cerm is now able to automate nearly every step of the label production process, according to Sebastiaan Hermans, Cerm marketing manager.

He said: “As we continue to expand the list of Premium Integration Partners and the more we work together with Screen’s Equios workflow, the more in-depth the integration between our solutions becomes, then both systems can be further streamlined with our other premium partners, and the result is a better final product for our shared clients.”