Heidelberg’s Customer Portal users top 3,000

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen has reached more than 3,000 printing companies actively using its Customer Portal, with over 7,000 individuals utilizing the cloud-based platform to digitalize and automate production processes three years after its launch.

The portal now offers more than 15 specialized apps, including the Maintenance Manager, Inventory Management app and Print Shop Analytics. These functions boost efficiency and transparency in maintenance, materials management and production operations through digital assistance, automated processes and real-time data. The apps help prevent downtime, reduce storage costs and improve overall equipment effectiveness and sustainability.

The platform will soon enable users to purchase consumables and spare parts in two clicks. Heidelberg combines all digital services in a single cloud-based portal, including access to production and workflow apps, real-time analyses, maintenance, management tools and shopping for consumables.

'The Heidelberg Customer Portal is a milestone in the digitalization of customer relationships and, at the same time, a strategic tool for optimizing processes and mastering complex workflows in print shops. Our Prinect Workflow is the backbone for all that,' said Dr David Schmedding, chief technology and sales officer at Heidelberg. 'In short, the Customer Portal quite simply makes our customers' work easier.'

Mark Mills, president of Spectrum Packaging Corporation in Orlando, confirmed the benefits. 'The new Speedmaster XL 106-7+L with Prinect tripled press speed, reduced makeready times and elevated color consistency for every job. With support from the Heidelberg Performance Team and analytics from the Customer Portal, we are continuing to push efficiency even further, fine-tuning results week after week.'

Heidelberg recently added the Data Capture app for capturing production data and analyzing it in real time. This application transfers planning and job data directly to print shop workstations, supports job and status tracking and supplies operating data for reporting and actual costings.

Marco Rassfeld, head of prepress and CtP at pilot user Meinders & Elstermann, confirmed the practical benefits. 'The Data Capture app is self-explanatory and makes life a whole lot easier than the previous process. It saves time, has access to a centralized data source and ensures full use can be made of all available production slots. The rollout was virtually seamless, and Heidelberg provided fast and professional support at all times.'

Heidelberg will continue enhancing the portal, integrating further digital solutions to increase automation levels and achieve fully autonomous print production. The company aims to create a scalable infrastructure that print shops worldwide can use to control their production operations intelligently, autonomously, flexibly and reliably.