From our many years of project experience, we have derived a successful methodology—one that covers everything from design to live operation. We would like to present it to you here.
Create trust with a Proof of Concept (PoC)
During the first step, customers want to build trust in a new label management system. To meet this desire, our appraoch starts with a Proof of Concept (PoC). During the process, we get to know your specific objectives and develop an individual plan for implementing a modern labeling system. This will also allow you to get to know our experts and form a comprehensive opinion regarding our expertise. Thanks to our years of experience in working with international customers from various industries, we have extensive expertise in the field of labeling with SAP.
Do you want to test our solution first? We will show you “best practice” approaches for printing labels from SAP. You can test our system in your SAP environment and with your local printers because we already print directly from your system on the second day!
Rony Sieber, Head of Professional Service
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The 7 phases of a label management project
The following seven steps will guide you on your way to ensuring a successful label management project. Our experts accompany you through all phases of the project with a great deal of experience and know-how. Click on the individual phases to find out more:
Stock-taking
First, we collect and sort all physical labels and identify their contents. Then we analyze the interdependencies and group them together with you. This is the core task in the first phase. During the evaluation, we uncover so-called “label secrets” and try to eliminate any historically grown constructs in the process. The summary of these findings forms the basis for the template design as well as the process requirements for the label management system to be implemented. We conduct this phase with as many stakeholders and departments as possible. For this purpose, we organize appropriate workshops and carry out various interviews with the responsible persons.
A label management project can mercilessly reveal any failures in master data management of recent years.
System Design
In most cases, the stock-taking phase already gives the direction of the “best practice” concept to be implemented. In the following “System Design” phase we define the printing processes and determine the data content based on the respective business process. Ideally, OPAL LABELMANAGEMENT™ is already installed and is therefore available for online documentation. Traditional project work includes this phase of the methodology. Our system architecture experts develop the system design together with your core team. Here we focus on the SAP system, business processes and the IT system landscape. Depending on the customer’s quality management requirements, we may also start working on the specifications.
For each business process, we determine the content that is relevant for labeling and define the label templates to be used.
Implementation
We implement the defined print processes swiftly, in accordance with the “best practice” approach, in small sprints and based on prioritization. In doing so, we develop the way in which data content is identified in SAP and, at the same time, the process-specific, logical flow. Through this, our customers get to know our framework, and with the “train-the-trainer” methodology, we show you how to use the system. During the development or implementation phase, we adapt specifications and implement the identification of your label content. This is generally the part of the project that requires the least effort. The quality of the master data is usually the biggest challenge in this stage. If no data is available yet, it must be created in the system.
The consistent application of our framework creates the basis for a future system that can be maintained well.
Design & Testing
Requirements testing is used to verify the previously specified requirements with a view to qualitative implementation. Data procurement is completed and implementation of the label designs can begin. In the first part of this phase we create the label templates (layouts) and include them in label management. During the process, your authors (designers) are trained in the use of the Label Designer. We also create the design guidelines together with you to set rules for future templates. Afterwards, you determine the corresponding rules (conditions) for each of these templates, under which they are automatically identified. Finally, the physical test takes place: We print the label and check the contents as well as the print quality. This phase of the methodology is intensive, but at the same time also the most exciting for those involved—and it often includes many “Aha!” moments. The handling of the new designer and label management in SAP are “internalized”. At the end of the testing phase of our methodology, the so-called technical go-live is due, an important milestone in the introduction of the new system.
Testing is the supreme discipline during the introduction of the system, and it is closely linked to risk management!
Optimization
Once the new printing processes are available in the productive system, it’s time to start the optimization phase. This phase includes the implementation of minor extensions, refinements to the rules and improvements to the ergonomics. In most cases, the master data receives a lot of attention. Extensions, corrections or the partial restructuring of content are not unusual here. Part of this phase includes planning the roll-out for the solution. This can take smaller or greater amount of time, and this depends ultimately on the organizational structure, complexity and resources. It is advisable to carry out roll-out planning in advance and to coordinate this with the respective department.
As everybody knows, some things have to be learned from experience, and this certainly applies to a label management system!
Extension & Expansion
Positive experiences lead to extensions and the expansion of the system in the company. Because once you have seen how an integrated label management system works, you will want to use it as extensively as possible. Such expansions are implemented in “mini-projects”, and these can be started directly in phase 4. One process after another is implemented, tested and rolled out. This phase is carried out by the core team in the system together with the responsible specialist departments.
Only accepted systems that provide the desired benefits will prevail in the end!
Operation
You will now be able to implement new requirements efficiently in your label management system and thus measure and control your processes with key figures. From this phase onwards, label management is fully implemented and customers can ensure operation with minimal effort.
Labeling is now a success factor for your company!
Customer testimonials and references
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Standardize your labels in SAP
