Technology | What to Watch
GOING SOFT
IT’S HARD TO SUSTAIN A SUCCESSFUL LARGE-FORMAT PRINT BUSINESS, BUT SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENTS ARE MAKING IT EASIER AS AI ELEVATES THE INTERNET OF THINGS INTO A WHOLE DIFFERENT DIMENSION.
You want to see real-time, historic and trend data from your entire production site in one central location, and have easy-use tools to help you analyse that info, right? Throw into the mix the ability of your data gathering machines to diagnose and flag-up potential problems to boot and you potentially have business building tools as well as more efficient production. With that in mind we asked some of the leading kit and software developers for their heads-up on those areas. To kick-off, Mike Horsten, speaking on behalf of Agfa, grasps the thorny issue of data privacy and regulation: “The data collection on this [large- format print] technology is something we are very conscious could invade the privacy of the users. Therefore, we only collect engine data, head passes, drop amounts/size used, ink consumption and other non-intrusive data collection. We do this so that we cannot only monitor the engine but also see if there is a need of sending a technician for pre-emptive maintenance - something that is starting to appear now.
USING A BIT OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
TODAY, AGFA APPLIES REMOTE MONITORING TO MOST OF THE NEW HIGH-END DEVICES AND WE AIM TO INCLUDE THIS TECHNOLOGY TO ALL OUR
MACHINES IN THE NEAR FUTURE
Mike Horsten
In the dynamic realm of wide-format inkjet printing, effective data management is crucial for PSPs to boost efficiency and profitability and, as we all know, the cornerstone of maximising data potential lies in accurate extraction and intuitive presentation. That said, Steve Richardson, group commercial director at MIS provider Optimus, believes the game changer here has been the evolution of data presentation through business intelligence (BI) tools like Microsoft Power BI and Qlik View. “These platforms transform raw numbers into dynamic, real- time visualisations, revolutionising how PSPs interact with their data. They offer interactive dashboards, complex data modelling, predictive analytics, and natural language queries,” he says. “Optimus has embraced this shift with Dataflex, our proprietary solution that seamlessly interfaces with these BI tools. “Dataflex ensures that the wealth of data captured by our MIS is accurately and efficiently output to Power BI and Qlik View in real- time. Our diverse customer base utilises both platforms; notably, our largest global customer harnesses Qlik View in combination with Optimus and other data sources to provide an accurate group view of trends and analytics. “This integration empowers PSPs to visualise production efficiency, track resource utilisation, analyse profitability, and identify trends - all from a single, intuitive interface. Looking ahead, Optimus remains committed to refining our data extraction methods and embracing cutting-edge BI technologies, ensuring PSPs have the tools to thrive in an increasingly data-driven industry.”
“The monitoring of printing systems remotely and supplying the correct diagnosis for service engineers to act upon is needed more than ever in the wide-format print industry. We are all facing the result of the world economy and there are less employees available. Thanks to the new AI technologies that are starting to be used, we can plan better how to do the maintenance
18 | October/November 2024
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