The manufacturer said that the Zaikio development was a “further milestone” on Heidelberg’s route to becoming a platform provider. 

Zaikio is a cloud-based system that connects multiple software solutions and systems together.

After a test phase, Heidelberg is now opening up Zaikio Procurement to any printer that wants to connect. 

The system is free for printers and allows firms to establish an automated link with a range of suppliers. Alongside Heidelberg’s own Prinect Business Manager, the participating MIS vendors are Keyline, Printplus, Printvis, Datamedia, Ultraxx, and EPMS. 

“In the future, this means print shops will be able to access the ranges of suppliers such as Sappi or Metapaper and place orders directly from their MIS, once it has been networked with Zaikio,” Heidelberg stated. 

Zaikio charges vendors a percentage of sales to end users.

Matthias Prinz, Zaikio managing director and head of user experience, commented: “With Zaikio, print service providers can now access the portfolios of a growing number of suppliers direct from their MIS in an automated process, which means they benefit from maximum transparency and needs-based supplies. It goes without saying that this also works to the advantage of MIS providers and suppliers, who can massively improve their level of service.”

Heidelberg has also launched its Maintenance Manager service, also cloud-based, as part of its contract model .

It described the system as “almost completely digitising the maintenance process”, with the promise of increased uptime and reduced stoppages. 

Heidelberg UK managing director Ryan Miles said: “Maintenance Manager is another innovative step in the digitisation of our service platforms. It’s an easy to use cloud-based application that replaces paper-based maintenance manuals and it will save our customers time, money, simplify processes and will ultimately contribute to improving their press OEE. We are in the process of launching it in our market and are encouraged by the huge numbers of customer interest. We therefore expect a fast take up of the solution.”

Separately, long-serving UK service director Ian Wilcock will retire next month. Wilcock has worked at Heidelberg for 21 years, and became service director around 15 years ago. 

Miles told Printweek: “Throughout this time Ian has epitomised our values and as a result he is a highly respected part of our leadership team and our company, and we know that he has earned equal respect from our customers. 

“Ian’s retirement has been planned for some time now and he is succeeded by Jonathan Roch who has been in the designate role working alongside Ian for the past six months. Jonathan, at 49 years of age, already has 25 years of experience with Heidelberg across multiple service and related process projects and activities, both local and global.”

Miles said Roch was the “natural choice as successor”. He will take over from 1 May. 

Heidelberg has also begun the “next phase” in the potential sale of its Brentford site, Miles added. 

“Our customers are now benefiting from the successful planned relocation of our spare parts and consumables warehouse, which was always our priority. As this has settled we have moved to the next phase of our project which involves the potential sale of our Brentford site. We expect this process to take place over the next 12-24 months.”