When purchasing a packaging management information system, business managers at all levels in the Brand Management and packaging supply chain often find themselves torn between the necessity for a specialised preproduction solution and their desire to save money. Why do brand managers, marketing managers or package converters need two different software solutions? Is it possible that a single solution would be able to address all your concerns?

Modern MIS solutions are considered the backbone of most businesses, collecting data from multiple online systems, analysing it, and providing reports to help management make decisions. Finance, Shipping, HR, Manufacturing, Inventory, and R&D departments can benefit from today’s software, which provides metrics and reports that help move the organisation forward. However, many general MIS systems fail to handle the graphical data, brand packaging, and print management processes, which are so important to consumer-packaged goods.

Graphics file management requires precision, efficiency, and, most importantly, consistency when moving high resolution artworks across the platform. If the platform isn’t robust, rework and waste accumulate in the converter or packaging process. While a general MIS system can manage the file, it cannot inspect artwork and packaging design for errors.

Typical MIS file management systems are rigid and unable to handle actual data file numbers and complexity. In addition, generic systems don’t understand lithographic and flexographic presses, customer packaging specs, packaging legislation, languages, or regulatory requirements.

Research shows that many MIS systems do not currently support high-quality online viewing or advanced annotation and approval management between designers, printers, brand and marketing departments. In many cases, the brand or product owner may ask to see the package assets in 3D structure and graphics to assess the final product appearance with print and packaging effects.

To reuse artwork for future projects or versioning, a digital asset management system must be set up after the artwork has been approved. In the absence of such a system, artwork can be lost, files can be corrupted, an older version of artwork or labelling may unintentionally be used. As a result, it takes longer to get a product to market, and costly mistakes happen.

The use of specialised preproduction software is required to deliver an integrated MIS solution capable of handling, interrogating, and effectively managing large graphics files and linking with external parties, hardware and CAD systems, dies, and providing versioning capabilities in the context of print production.

Web-based platform Polyflex WebCenter manages the packaging preproduction specification, approval, and project life cycle, delivering the suitable first-time print with appropriate reporting metrics, process optimisation metrics, and reporting.

This specialised solution, developed by prepress experts, should be seen as the beating heart of any enterprise-wide information management system because it is one of the most challenging aspects for businesses to manage and stabilise what can be a complex process. In addition to providing immediate solutions, Polyflex WebCenter sets the stage for future automation and optimisation, which will lead to greater productivity.

Polyflex WebCenter not only provides solutions to the existing issues but also lays the groundwork for future automation and optimisation, which will, in turn, lead to greater efficiency.

Using WebCenter’s online approval procedure, printers demonstrate their vision and commitment to improving their business and ensuring that their clients achieve optimum efficiency. When it comes to updating their firm, several printers who invested in WebCenter even cite the software product in their marketing materials.

Consider all of the benefits between Polyflex WebCenter as opposed to any other MIS solutions.