Connecting software and ensuring data exchange between existing systems is one objective of the Industry 4.0 concepts. One difficulty encountered in practice is the automation of processes, as software packages are often incompatible. Interfaces between ERP system and production workflow are often non-existent or very expensive. This is where the newly announced collaboration between Zaikio and Impressed could provide a remedy. In the future, the companies plan to offer printers the ability to connect software via the Zaikio platform with existing local modules from Enfocus or the Impressed Workflow Server (IWS).
“In discussions with Zaikio, I understood very early on that we share a common vision for the future. It is clear to us that integration and intelligent automation is where the greatest value creation potential lies for our customers. Therefore, the integration of the IWS with Zaikio is the right step for production in the sense of Industry 4.0 and Smart Factory,” says Bernd Remus, Managing Director of Impressed GmbH.
Mission Control will be an important component for Impressed as the central switching system of Zaikio. Here, the data of a production process converge and can be read and processed by other systems as needed. Once connected to Zaikio, the IWS can access all production-specific data. The aim and benefit is to network the print shop.
Andreas Aplien, Zaikio Partner Manager: “Our platform provides the basis for cross-vendor and open communication. IWS and Switch are pursuing the goal of integration in print shops. The collaboration bridges the gap between the cloud and local installations (on-premise). The print shops can keep their existing processes and customer-specific adaptations.”
