Integrate your production system with our Line Print Agent (LPA) for offline printing in your packaging and production systems. We solve label printing requirements with realtime data at the product level.
Requirements for label printing in production systems
Your production systems runs 24/7 and should be able to produce as independently as possible from higher-level systems such as ERP. However, traceability must still be ensured at all times. Production networks are also usually isolated from the rest of the company network to increase security. Printing within production or packaging systems therefore requires so-called inline printing with realtime data from your facilities. With the Line Print Agent (LPA), we offer you a printing solution that is tailored to precisely these needs.
Offline functions
In order to be as independent as possible from Level 4 (ANSI/ISA-95) systems, a two-stage printing method is required. Here, your work preparation area provides the labels for the specific order. Distribution to the corresponding production systems is therefore ensured with a lead time.
Inline printing
Your label printing with integration “in the line” is generally referred to as inline printing and is therefore aligned with the packaging or production systems. The system generates the trigger and releases the required labels according to the production stage.
Realtime data
Your machines, test equipment or measuring devices generate realtime data, which they print on the labels. In order to integrate realtime data into the labels provided in advance, the Line Print Agent (LPA) offers corresponding interfaces.
Independence through a two-stage printing method
Production or packaging systems are business-critical facilities that must run uninterrupted, and they are often protected in their own networks. On the one hand, this means you do not generally allow any connections to higher-level systems, such as SAP ERP, during production. On the other, the print system must be available24×7. To meet these high demands, you use a two-stage printing method with the Line Print Agent (LPA).
How does this printing method work?
With this method, you provide the labels specifically for your production system while planning your production orders, e.g. during order release (1). In addition to the order data and master data, you also determine the template to be used in SAP. These pre-filled labels are now available to the production or packaging systems. As soon as production has started the order job, the realtime data is transferred to the Line Print Agent. Production systems decide on the time (2) and the necessary realtime data for inline printing of the labels. The timing of the system determines the trigger for printing so that the labels are applied accordingly.
Test inline printing
If you are already using OPAL LABELMANAGEMENT™, we will be happy to provide you with a Line Print Agent (LPA). See for yourself the benefits of inline printing with SAP. We offer a live demo to interested parties.
Serialization in the pharmaceutical industry with SAP ATTP
Serialization and traceability are the focus of labeling.
The reasons: Prevention of product piracy on medicinal products and the associated increase in patient safety. With the EU Falsified Medicines Directive 2011/62/EU, serialization will become mandatory for prescription medicines in the pharmaceutical industry. Here, the packaging (at different aggregation levels) is marked with individual serial numbers. This ensures unique identification and seamless traceability. Labels as well as direct printing, for example with an ink jet printer, are the carriers of this information. Track-and-trace systems ensure the traceability of packaging along the entire supply chain. With SAP ATTP (Advanced Track and Trace for Pharmaceuticals), for example, serial numbers are generated, which are then provided to the packaging systems and reported to the health authorities. Different regulations of the respective health authorities in the target market place specific requirements on the coding (GS1, SGTIN, China Code, etc.) of the serial numbers.
The track-and-trace systems – our customers
We integrate the Line Print Agent (LPA) into your track-and-trace system. Benefit from printing solutions from the following suppliers that have already been successfully implemented:
Do you have questions about serialization or inline printing?
Book a personal consultation appointment with our experts. We show you how to use the two-step printing method successfully.
Questions about serialization
