Norwegian printer becomes 50th Esko/Cerm workflow integration customer

In 2005, Cerm and Esko created for a joint customer the first MIS to pre-press workflow based on JDF. A string of other ‘firsts’ followed, as well as industry awards, acknowledging their achievements in integration and efficiency improvement in label printing.

The partnership between the two Belgian-based global companies delivers integration for product approval and production jobs between the MIS and pre-production environments. Their combined technologies ensure the highest levels of efficiency, not only for administration and pre-press functions, but also for printing and finishing.

Cerm managing director Geert Van Damme said: ‘When we started working together, the initial aim was to convert MIS information into pre-press instructions in order to create job tickets for pre-press without retyping everything.

‘It may sound easy now but I can assure you it was quite a breakthrough at that time, and the Cerm/Esko partnership pioneered efficiency in label printing ever since. We are very proud of this 50th installation together and look forward to many more to come.’

‘Cerm is our world champion partner when it comes to the number of MIS integrations we have implemented in the label industry market segment,’ commented Stijn Govaert, business development manager for workflow and integration at Esko. ‘But we also use CERM, with much enthusiasm from both sides, as a sparring partner for new ideas and for alpha testing.

‘Our mutual customers differentiate from their competitors with a strongly integrated and highly performing workflow solution. It is very important that our common customers maintain a competitive edge and are future-proof because of our continuous innovations based on their voice.’

As the 50^th customer to benefit from the partnership, Digital Etikett reported an extremely positive experience, and Øyvin Tørvi, the Norwegian label printer’s factory manager, said: ‘What surprised us most during the recent implementation is that we did not see a bunch of engineers working here for a week or longer to install an interface. Almost all of the interfacing work was carried out extremely fast by the consultants who helped us through the implementation process.

‘They focused on us and our needs, not on their own tools, which was refreshing and added great value.’