SoftSolutions News
2011
June 2011 – SoftSolutions and EPMS partnership
Middleboro, MA, July 18, 2011 – EPMS (Enterprise Print Management Solutions), a leading print MIS developer, and SoftSolutions, Inc, a leading provider of DMI solutions announced the integration of their technologies, Enterprise 32 and SoftSolutions FLEX product line. This integration combines the planning and production monitoring power of the EPMS print management system with the ability to capture equipment performance metrics and data in real time on the shop floor.
June 2011 – Flex on a Digital Press Line
Strategic Content Imaging (SCI), a leader in ultra-short run printing, has purchased Flex as its production monitoring tool for its new HP T300/Magnum digital press line in its New Jersey facility.
June 2011 – Command Web purchases Flex
Command Web successfully completed its Flex evaluation pilot program. The system was purchased with plans to expand across all remaining key assets in the facility.
April 2011 – JDF messaging with Flex
SoftSolutions is working with Webcom, a Canadian book printer, on providing integration services between its Muller Martini Connex system and its Microsoft MIS accounting system. JMF messages from Connex are being routed into the Flex-Timesheet and posted to the site's job costing system.
April 2011 – Command Web Pilot
Command Web, a leading book printer in the North American market, has decided to evaluate Flex on a Press and Finishing line within its Missouri facility.
April 2011 – Cenveo Portland expands Flex
Cenveo's Portland facility successfully completed the Flex pilot evaluation in their press room. The client has decided to expand their Flex installation across their remaining presses and key finishing equipment.
March 2011 – Thomson-Shore expands Flex
Thomson-Shore, a leading independent book printer in the Ann Arbor, MI area will expand their Flex installation across all remaining key assets of their manufacturing process.
February 2011 – Cenveo Portland Pilot
Cenveo's Portland plant has entered a pilot agreement with SoftSolutions to evaluate the Flex product. The initial system will be installed on a high-speed printing press for a six week evaluation.
January 2011 – new Flex language options
SoftSolutions is proud to launch a full multi-lingual version of the Flex Production Control System. This initial lunch will be deployed to a Packaging Printer in Montreal Canada.
Switching between English and another language is as simple as changing the preferred language on one's web-browser. This version of the product opens the door to more international opportunities for helping clients manage their operations with better metrics.
2010
December 2010 – SoftSolutions finishes the year with record-breaking sales
Within a year of accepting its first round of outside financing to help accelerate its move to a software product-focused business model, SoftSolutions is seeing strong signals from the marketplace. In Q4 of 2010, SoftSolutions won contracts for its Flex-PCS software with new clients such as Marking Systems in Texas, CCI/Coakley Tech in Wisconsin, as well as additional expansions within existing customer accounts such as Cenveo, Sheridan and Webcom. Total installed cost-centers running Flex-PCS have more than doubled over the past year.
Jay Foster, President of SoftSolutions, noted that "In spite of the Great Recession, 2010 was one of our best years at SoftSolutions. We are seeing tremendous interest in our ability to integrate existing MIS systems with our award winning Flex-Direct Machine Interface technology. Our focus upon developing highly innovative, cost-effective integration solutions is attracting attention within our key target markets. We are excited about the opportunities for continued high growth in 2011 and beyond."
November 2010 – new Flex-DMI connector for digital finishing
SoftSolutions will provide its Flex-PCS software as a standard offering on the new Magnum FlexBook a highly innovative approach to the exciting world of ultra-short run Print on Demand.
The need for minimal operator touch points in the production workflow becomes critical when run-lengths shorten to a single Lot. The number of orders flowing through the cost-center becomes too high for an operator to keep up with in terms of even keying in the Next Job to run.
Flex integration will enable jobs to flow directly between the MIS/Scheduling systems and the local work-to-list (dispatch) on the equipment. Flex will enable a tight feedback loop between what is planned versus what is actually ran at the cost-center.
November 2010 – Dramatic Flex-ROI savings captured in a customer testimonial
After SoftSolutions' product group shared a link highlighting better data visualization tools with some of its key customer sponsors of Flex, one SoftSolutions customer replied back using the technique to visualize the dramatic ROI cost savings resulting from their investment in Flex-Production Control tools.
Note in this example that Signatures are printed sections of a book or magazine that are produced from a printing press. In this testimonial, Flex is providing Count Control to high-speed web presses and turning them off far more consistently and accurately than a press operator is typically able to do.
This short case-study highlights a fundamental benefit of the Flex-Direct Machine Interface (DMI) technology. Highly skilled operators provide significant value in many areas of the production process. However, accurate data collection and high-speed machine control are two functions that computers are ideally designed to provide on a far more consistent and cost-effective basis.
July 2010 – new Flex-Points helps Cycle Systems reward customers
SoftSolutions' Flex-Scales application has a new Frequent Customer awards module. The Flex system is used to issue Customer ID cards. When a customer arrives at the recycling center, their card is swiped and the Flex system will track the amount of materials weighed on the transaction. A threshold is set in the system. Real-time customer point status versus the threshold is shown on the Flex-Ticket printed at the station.
This new module highlights a powerful dimension of a well integrated Direct Machine Interface such as Flex. Accurate metrics are collected on customer transactions directly from the machine - in this case a weigh scale. Trustworthy metrics enable more innovative business processes that help drive more revenue throughput.
June 2010 – new Flex-Material Waste Managment tools coming in Q4
Based upon customer feedback, SoftSolutions is focusing more of its product development efforts in the area of Material Cost Management tools. In the print sector, as one example, paper costs can easily account for over 50% of total costs to the business. In some print sectors over 30% of paper purchased ends up in a very costly waste stream that adds zero value to customers.
Flex-Roll Stand will be one of the first modules developed specifically for better Material Waste Management. Slab-off waste from the roll prepping process is one excellent example of 'Avoidable Waste' that is often lost due to poor visibility. The Roll Stand system will leverage Flex's ability to integrate with floor scales and bar-code scanners to enable clients to accurately measure every pound of paper from receiving through the printing process.
What gets measured gets managed. SoftSolutions goal is make it as easy as possible to get better visbility on metrics that drive avoidable costs down and revenue throughput up.
April 2010 – Webcom expands Flex across its entire Toronto facility
Webcom's evaluation of Flex has resulted in a plant-wide expansion with full, bi-directional integration to their existing custom MIS system. Flex will be installed across all presses and key finishing lines within the Toronto plant. Real-time job costing and schedule updates using the Flex-Direct Machine Interface will eliminate the paperwork and hassle of manual data collection. Flex-Count control will be used to turn off the presses at proper count to eliminate over-production waste in the printing process.
March 2010 – new mobile phone Flex support - is there an app for that?
SoftSolutions continues to focus upon making it easier and easier for customers to access their production data - anytime/anywhere. As part of their standard software maintenance and upgrade offering, SoftSolutions will support mobile access to Flex-metrics. Customers are now viewing real-time production metrics and job information from their iPhone, Blackberry, Droid, iPad, etc. If a device has a web browser and a secured VPN connection - it can view real-time Flex metrics.
February 2010 – new Flex-Alerts are a hit with customers
SoftSolutions continues to expand the functionality of its award winning software products. As part of their standard software maintenance and upgrade offering, SoftSolutions has started rolling out a new Alert & Notification module for Flex-PCS customers. Flex-users can now subscribe to an email or text messaging service to get alerts when machines exceed a downtime threshold or waste threshold. Different thresholds can be configured to escalate the Alerts to other subscribers.
Glenn DeRossett, Regional Vice President at Cenveo, noted 'Our IT department has been getting these types of alerts for years when our servers have problems. Now we are finally getting alerts when our presses or finishing equipment need immediate attention.
February 2010 – new Flex-Connector automatically records machine STOP Codes
SoftSolutions continues to expand its growing list of data connectors available for the Flex-OS integration platform. A new connector has been published for collecting Stop Codes directly from a Muller Martini Corona Gatherer. Message are recorded from the existing serial port of the machine and stored within the Flex database for easy reporting.
When the machine stops, Flex will also automatically populate the operator's Flex-Timesheet with the Stop Code from the machine. WorldColor (now part of QuadGraphics) is the first customer of this new connector. Detailed fault codes from the machine are helping their maintenance department pinpoint the right issues to address on the machine.
January 2010 – Canadian firm gives Flex a try
Webcom one of the most innovative and largest independent book printers in Canada has installed a Flex evaluation system within their Toronto facility. Flex will be monitoring real-time production metrics from a Goss web press and a Muller Martini binding line. Job targets are downloaded via a connector to Webcom's innovative POEM management information system. POEM is a custom developed MIS application optimized for the complexity of the book manufacturing process.
Once again, the Flex system went live with an integration to the MIS and to the equipment in less than 1 day on site.
2009
December 2009 – investor likes what he sees at SoftSolutions
Tracy Wilkins, a highly successful technology entreprenuer has provided SoftSolutions with its first round of equity financing. As reported by the Business Journal Dr. Wilkins likes what he sees at SoftSolutions. Funding will allow SoftSolutions to continue its transition from an integration services model to a software product model. In addition to enabling the company to invest further in areas of Research & Product development, the funds will help SoftSolutions begin to actively market its award winning software products.
November 2009 – Cenveo expands Flex to second Plant
Cenveo the third largest printer in North America with sales of over $2.4 billion has expanded Flex-PCS into their Lancaster, PA Cadmus plant. This system integrates with an existing Web Press to automatically capture productivity metrics directly from the machine. Job targets are automatically populated on the operator's Flex-Timesheet with a connector to the Cadmus custom MIS application.
Once again, the Flex system went live with an integration to the MIS and to the equipment in less than 1 day on site. SoftSolutions goal of providing a 'plug & play' Direct Machine Interface continues to gain momentum in the market place.
October 2009 – WorldColor launches Flex-Pilot
WorldColor the second largest printer in North America with sales of over $5.6 billion has launched a Flex-PCS solution in their Fairfield, PA book plant. This system integrates with an existing Muller Martini binding line to automatically capture productivity metrics directly from the machine. Job targets are automatically populated on the operator's Flex-Timesheet with a connector to WorldColor's custom MIS application.
Once again, the Flex system went live with an integration to the MIS and to the equipment in less than 1 day on site. SoftSolutions goal of providing a 'plug & play' Direct Machine Interface continues to gain momentum in the market place.
July 2009 – Flex-PCS wins the prestigious InterTech Award
Flex-PCS wins the prestigious InterTech Award as one of the most innovative technologies in the Print Sector for 2009.
Jay Foster, President of SoftSolutions remarked, "our team at SoftSolutions is extremely proud to receive this award from Printing Industries of America. We certainly could not have built such an innovative software application without the support and direction of our customers & partners, along with the outstanding resources and commitment of our people here at SoftSolutions."
July 2009 – Cenveo expands Flex-PCS
After a record install time on the initial high speed web-press, the Cadmus division of Cenveo has expanded the FLEX-Production Control System to its second web press in a matter of two weeks.
SoftSolutions worked closely with Cadmus/Cenveo personnel to rapidly bring the initial Flex-PCS on-line over a two day site visit. The Flex-DMI data collector integrated with a Cadmus PLC programmed directly to the outputs of a triple delivery web-press. A basic Flex-MIS data connector was configured to load Job data directly from the Cadmus custom DB2 database. The Flex-Timesheet brought this data together on an electronic Job Ticket that requires minimal operator input. Just click on the Job Number, then let the machine record accurate MR time, Run time, Downtime, Waste, and Speed against the MIS estimates.
By day #3 of the installation/training process, Glenn DeRossett, the site Vice President, was monitoring live job costing activites over a secured VPN internet connection from his laptop at home. Based upon knowledge transfered during this installation phase, any additional Flex-DMI data collectors will likely be installed without the cost for SoftSolutions' resources going on-site at all.
SoftSolutions goal is to work with partners to offer a truly 'plug-and-play' data collection solution built upon Open data integration standards such as JDF.
June 2009 – Cenveo selects FLEX-PCS
The Cadmus division of Cenveo selected the FLEX-Production Control System to monitor real-time performance metrics directly from an existing web-press.
In addition to connecting directly to a high-speed web press, SoftSolution's Flex-PCS software integrates to the Cadmus front-office planning software running on an existing in-house IBM DB2 database. Job targets are automatically downloaded and communicated to operators through the Flex-Timesheet, providing clear job standards per the front-office planning systems. Actual Job Costs can then be reported back against the 'budget' downloaded from the DB2 database.
Implementation costs will be minimized through SoftSolutions' optional "Train the Trainer" approach of teaching Cadmus personnel how to install and train on the use of the FLEX-PCS application.
June 2009 – Edwards Brothers expands FLEX-PCS
After running the Flex-PCS pilot program, Edwards Brothers awarded SoftSolutions a contract to expand Flex-PCS across both its Ann Arbor, MI and Lillington, NC facilities to monitor real-time production results against front-office job estimate targets.
During the initial pilot implementation, Flex-PCS downloaded job targets directly from the existing Management Information System (MIS) via custom database connectors. Given the open nature of the Flex-OS integration software, migrating to the new MIS planning software will simply be a matter of updating the MIS job estimate connector - none of the connectors to the existing shop-floor equipment will need to be modified.
Implementation costs will be minimized through SoftSolutions' optional "Train the Trainer" approach of teaching Edwards Brothers personnel how to install and train on the use of the FLEX-PCS application.
March 2009 – SoftSolutions joins CIP4 to offer an 'Open JDF' integration platform
Given the on-going success and strong market interest in SoftSolutions FLEX-OS integration platform for enabling JDF solutions within the print sector, SoftSolutions has become a full member of the international CIP4 organization. SoftSolutions' long-term involvement with integrating Lean Manufacturing information solutions between real-time shop floor activities and front-office planning systems has proven an ideal fit for meeting the demands of value-add CIP4 integration.
Specifically, FLEX-OS offers a real-time messaging platform that takes advantage of proven 'Connectors' to both equipment OEMs using Direct Machine Interfaces (DMI) and to MIS Planning systems in the front office using database drivers and HTTP/XML communication protocols.
SoftSolutions' commitment to promoting truly 'Open' solutions based upon industry standards is backed up with an 'Open' Software License that ensures our customers and partners get the best long-term integration solutions without becoming hostage to a proprietary platform.
March 2009 – SoftSolutions partners with HIFLEX to enable Real-time JDF solutions
SoftSolutions partnered with HIFLEX and Muller Martini to develop a CIP4 compliant interface between the HIFLEX MIS and Muller Martini's Connex JDF system running on a high-speed Primera Stitcher. This integration solution can be enabled for a wide range of both new and legacy print equipment to share real-time production information via JDF and JMF interface standards. SoftSolutions' FLEX v5.0 software provides the HTTP communication interface for real-time data exchange between the two systems. Highly accurate, timely job costing data and events can be captured using the FLEX-DMI to shop floor equipment and integrated directly to HIFLEX via JMF messages.
February 2009 – Edwards Brothers proceeds with a FLEX-OS pilot project
Edwards Brothers of Ann Arbor, MI has contracted with SoftSolutions to install their 'Quick Start' FLEX Pilot program on an existing high-speed web-press. The objective of the pilot program is to allow the Edwards Brothers team to evaluate the benefits of real-time visibility offered through the automated FLEX-Timesheet.
January 2009 – Cycle Systems expands functionality of the FLEX-Scales application
Cycle Systems contracted SoftSolutions to extend their existing weigh scales application built upon the FLEX-OS integration platform. Additional features include SoftSolutions' remote workflow management tools based upon real-time events such as 'Load Alerts' and provide remote electronic authorization from supervisors. These workflow enhancements are expected to significantly decrease customer wait times while reducing the cost of requiring management personnel to physically go to the operator to complete an authorization.
2008
December 2008 – Timsons to partner with SoftSolutions to leverage the FLEX-OS platform for broader data integration options
Given the on-going customer satisfaction with SoftSolutions' FLEX software on new Timsons presses and the growing demand for more data integration options in the market place, Timsons, Inc. announced it is partnering further with SoftSolutions to offer easier access to its machine data using industry standards of JDF and JMF via the FLEX-OS 'Open' integration platform. Read more.
November 2008 – Muller Martini to tap SoftSolutions' FLEX-OS platform for broader 3rd party integration options
Given the on-going success of SoftSolutions' FLEX integration platform, Muller Martini announced at the JDF User Conference in St. Petersburg, FL, that it plans to leverage the FLEX-OS 'Open' integration platform to provide broader access to its real-time machine data. In addition to custom 'drivers' to 3rd party systems, FLEX will also provide integration options to Muller Martini using print industry standards such as JDF for Job requirement downloads from front-office MIS systems and JMF for real-time Job costing messages from Muller Martini equipment. Once connected into FLEX-OS a Muller Martini machine can share its real-time Job Status data using a wide range of options, from JDF, customized flat-files, or Web-Services.
Several discussions at the JDF User Conference indicate growing recognition of the value provided by SoftSolutions' FLEX-OS strategy to promote 'Open' integtation. By providing an open platform, FLEX makes it easy for any front-office MIS software to integrate directly with any shop-floor equipment, new or legacy. This type of Open integration strategy makes it easier for a wider range of vendors to co-exist and cooperate to accelerate the adoption of industry standards and realize the significant benefits of real-time integration.
November 2008 – Yokohama Tire contracts SoftSolutions for data integration consulting between Oracle MIS and Shop-Floor systems
Yokohama Tire, a leading Japanese tire manufacturer, has contract SoftSolutions' engineering services to assist with their on-going integration projects to connect front office MIS Sales systems running Oracle to shop floor data collection from their Operations equipment. Yokohama was pleased to find the expertise and experience that SoftSolutions brings to solving the challenges of real-time data integration between Operations equipment and front-office Sales and Order Management systems.
October 2008 – SoftSolutions demonstrates FLEX on a high-speed Stitcher at GraphExpo 2008
SoftSolutions' FLEX integration software was a hit at GraphExpo this year. FLEX was connected directly to Muller Martini's Primera E140 high-speed stitcher literally over lunch on Saturday afternoon before the show started. The ease of using FLEX-Timesheets to connect machine performance data with an Operator login, Shift ID, and electronic Job data to capture accurate Job Costing generated significant attention at the show. FLEX-Analytics to easily report real-time job status, performance metrics and trends against job standards via any web-browser was also a hit with both prospective customers and partners within the Print industry.
October 2008 – Massimo Zanneti (formerly Sara Lee Coffee) Expands FLEX to new Production Area
Given the on-going success of FLEX within Massimo's retail coffee production process, the company has decided to expand its FLEX installation into a new production process. Once again, the focus will be upon real-time material tracking through the manufacturing process. Specifically, production order information will be downloaded from the JD Edwards MIS system into FLEX. As the orders make their way through the production steps, FLEX will monitor real-time events directly from production equipment to update the order status and monitor material usage. Product genealogy of the various mixtures is also recorded within FLEX to facilitate product recalls if necessary.
September 2008 – FLEX-Timesheet Users see benefits of Real-time Performance Metrics
SoftSolutions sees its FLEX workforce management software gaining traction in the manufacturing sector based on innovative metrics and decision-support tools that help customers quantify operator skill levels. Read full article in Manufacturing Business Technology.
August 2008 – Sheridan Expands FLEX across remaining key assets
Given the on-going success of FLEX within Sheridan's web-presses, the operations management group has ordered software licensing to expand the real-time FLEX-Timesheets across all key assets of the factory. In addition, SoftSolutions will complete out the data integration requirements to Sheridan's PrintStream MIS system. Operators on the shop-floor will utilize the automated FLEX-Timesheets to download Job-specific work standards and then capture real-time, highly accurate job costing data which can then be automatically uploaded back to MIS.
July 2008 – Cycle Systems selects FLEX to automate & integrate data collection and Performance Tracking across its Recycling scales.
FLEX replaces manual paperwork and potential human error with real-time visibility on the retail/peddler scales process. FLEX integrates directly with a standard scale head to automatically generate a customer Ticket. Each line item is weighed on the scale and automatically recorded by FLEX. Additional security is provided with an automated interface to a network camera that stores images that are linked directly with the customer Ticket. Customer Ticket data is automatically passed to the Recy front-office system for payment.
June 2008 – Thomson-Shore expands FLEX into the Press Room.
Thomson-Shore has selected FLEX as its Press Management system for its new high speed Web Press. After a successful start-up of FLEX in the Bindery on the Muller Martini Bolero Line, Thomson-Shore sees advantages for having a consistent set of real-time OEE-based performance metrics visible in the Press Room.
March 2008 – Thomson-Shore selects FLEX to automate & integrate data collection and Performance Tracking on its latest book binding finishing line from Muller Martini.
FLEX replaces manual paperwork with real-time visibility on the production line's OEE-based Key Performance Indicators of Uptime, Line Speed, and Material Yields using a direct machine interface to the equipment. A dual FLEX-Box collector configuration will be used to capture gross counts from the initial Gatherer machine and good counts from the final Trimmer machine.
February 2008 – SoftSolutions announces the release of v4.1 of FLEX with significant enhancements for data management and business intelligence.
The distributed database architecture of v4.1 enables FLEX Console PCs to replicate real-time data collected from each remote FLEX-Box collector back to the central FLEX-Server. Royalty free Digital Dashboard technology is now included in v4.1, providing highly cost-effective real-time performance feedback via user-friendly gauges, charts, and graphs.
January 2008 – Sheridan Books expands FLEX across its remaining Web Presses.
Manual paperwork is replaced with a fully automated workflow for downloading Job Targets via a web-browser and automatically collecting Time & Material metrics by Job directly from production equipment. OEE based 'scores' are automatically calculated for each Job ran on the press, with individual scores for Uptime, Speed, and Material Yield. FLEX Count Control is utilized to maintain accurate and consistent material usage and 'sig balance' across each high-speed press. FLEX communicates performance expectations directly from Sheridan's ERP systems with the operators via the browser-based FLEX-Timesheet module.
2007
December 2007 – Muller Martini, a world-leader in Print finishing equipment, selects SoftSolutions' FLEX data integration software to automate & integrate the collection of OEM Commissioning metrics.
FLEX automates the collection of OEE based Performance metrics of Setup Time, Run Time, Run Speed, Material Yield, and Downtime to assist in the certification process of new bindery finishing equipment. A dual-data collector configuration in FLEX enables multiple jobs to start on integrated finishing lines where one job may 'tail out' while the next job goes into setup.
October 2007 – Massimo Zanetti (former Sara Lee Coffee & Tea) selects SoftSolutions' FLEX enterprise integration software for its Manufacturing Execution System (MES).
Real-time information captured directly from production equipment is tracked against the production schedule downloaded from Massimo's JD Edwards ERP system. FLEX provides Production personnel with real-time feedback on order status, recipe blends, material tracking, and genealogy by Lots. FLEX genealogy data provides mission critical information in the case of a product recall or quality issue.
August 2007 – Volvo expands FLEX for its Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to enable real-time tracking of materials and order status across its entire cab manufacturing process.
Detailed information captured directly from production equipment is tracked against the production schedule downloaded from Volvo's mainframe ERP system. FLEX provides Production personnel with additional insights on bottlenecks and upcoming schedule demands via a web browser intranet interface.
June 2007 – Sheridan Books, a premier Book Printer, utilizes FLEX as their Performance Tracking & Count Control software on their latest Timsons' Web Press.
Production Job targets are downloaded automatically from Sheridan's ERP systems with results collected directly from the equipment, eliminating costly time wasted by operators' manual typing at the computer.
June 2007 – Timsons Press, a world-leader in Web Printing Presses, selects SoftSolutions' FLEX data integration & automation software for use as their OEM Press Management Software.
FLEX will provide both Performance Analysis of critical metrics such as Setup Times, Run Times, Run Speeds, Yields, and Downtimes - as well as mission critical Count Control for shutting off the web press at target 'Finish Good' count as a function of speed.
May 2007 – SoftSolutions announces the release of v4.0 of FLEX with an expansion of its 'Target-based Management' framework.
The three core components of Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), Uptime, Speed, and Material Yield, have been incorporated into the FLEX-Timesheet module. Each job pass on the FLEX-Timesheet provides automated, real-time feedback on performance against these OEE metrics. An OEE-based FLEX-Points 'score' is calculated for each job, operator, shift, and area.
March 2007 – Arkay Packaging expands FLEX across their entire press room to automate & integrate timesheet job cost data automatically from presses into their 4D ERP database system running on a Macintosh based server.
Manual, hand written timesheets are replaced with Web-based timesheets running on Arkay's existing Mac PCs in the Press Room. Timesheet data is collected directly from Sheet fed printing presses.
February 2007 – Volvo selects SoftSolutions' FLEX data integration software for mission critical Production Control to accurately route and track Cabs through their Paint manufacturing process.
Real-time data is available for viewing and editing via a pass-word protected Web-based reporting system.