FEATURE BARCODING, LABELLING & PACKAGING
PACKAGING IDENTIFICATION guarantees product traceability
By acting in a totally controlled loop it takes control over the full range of peripherals including printers, cameras and controllers, allowing the correct management of all common processes related to product identification. A single solution steers all the lines, controls all the data and provides reports on events and actions that show what happened and where. Fully automated processes mean faster execution of the latter. One person can steer all the machines
While most manufacturers realise the benefits of an MES, 90% are unaware of key advantages of a PES, explains Zetes
J
ust as you cannot ride a bicycle without wheels, a packaging execution system
(PES) is to the packaging identification process what a manufacturing execution system (MES) is to manufacturing. It centrally steers all actions related to the aforementioned process. While most manufacturing companies
are realising the benefits of an MES, 90% of them do not yet recognise the advantages a PES brings them, according to Zetes’ direct experience working with manufacturers. The potential benefits are huge especially in a world where correct product identification and traceability are imperatives. Zetes says its packaging execution solution ZetesAtlas offers functionality and benefits beyond what competing products can provide.
NO DIRECT DATA LINK All too often there is no direct data link between the packaging line and ERP system which means each device involved in the packaging process is configured locally and independently (often manually) and identification of products on the packaging line is non- existent. As a result there is an increased probability that mistakes will occur, for example, wrong information on the label, non-compliance with GS1 standards, supply chain identification errors or configuration errors with packaging identification systems as there is no visibility and traceability of actions,
26 APRIL 2014 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
events and data, no data aggregation and no automated control. “Without a PES and therefore, without
integration of all packaging lines with the ERP of the company the whole traceability of products is jeopardised as you cannot guarantee that the identification and control processes was flawless,” says Pascal Longchambon, head of the ZetesAtlas Business Solution Group.
FULL CONTROL OF PACKAGING LINE With these challenges in mind, the ZetesAtlas software acts as the essential link between ERP and the packaging line.
on the same line with a single machine interface. This dramatically lowers the number of manual interventions and therefore errors. Knowing that the integration has been done thoroughly and that all the information is securely mastered in real time provides the customer with real peace of mind. Identification quality and integrity is guaranteed. ZetesAtlas can handle unit identification (heterogeneous flows, serialisation) and provide precise information on which products are in which boxes. When positioning products in a box the serial numbers of these products are read simultaneously and associated with the serial number of the box itself. Executing ‘data aggregation’ strengthens the traceability of each individual product unit.
NEED TO INVEST IN A PES “For decades manufacturing companies have concentrated their investment efforts around the MES which of course is essential to make sure products are of consistent quality,” continues Longchambon. “But with the growing need for traceability, be it to protect brands, control distribution channels or protect consumer health, we are noticing a shift in attitudes. Though until now there was not really an equivalent of the MES for the packaging process. “With the emergence of new data
When positioning products in a box the serial numbers are read simultaneously and associated with the serial number of the box itself
carriers which allow more data to be encoded (for example, best before date) and item level identification, companies understand the need for a solution that allows them to efficiently manage and orchestrate the whole packaging identification process. ZetesAtlas has filed this gap in the market.”
Zetes T: 0845 520 0180
www.zetes.com Enter 316
/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT
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