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Customer: Flexicon AG
Flexicon AG, based in Germany, is one of the most innovative and technology-driven prepress businesses in the packaging industry. Flexicon has expanded its business globally over the past ten years.
The implementation of Esko’s WebCenter resulted in a powerful centralized solution that effectively streamlines communications between Flexicon and its global subsidiaries and customers.
By strategically acquiring new technology, Flexicon has expanded its business globally over the past ten years.
This international scope created a critical need for easy and efficient communication between Flexicon and its global subsidiaries and customers.
Quote
The Esko WebCenter solution meets all our requirements. As a web-based platform, WebCenter supports multilingual file and project management across all national borders. The related components enable us to automate release and approval processes around the globe.
Gerrit Sander, Managing Director of Flexicon AG
Flexicon, based in Halle/Westphalia, is one of the most innovative and technology-driven prepress businesses in the packaging industry. The company has more than 30 high-end imaging stations installed plus extensive flexo-CTP equipment from Esko, such as BackStage Server, Esko’s Software Suite and a CDI flexo platesetter. Flexicon's successful business strategy is to deliver optimum support for brand-name producers, offering them a modern and efficient service concept including an exceptional level of customer services. Flexicon delivers services and products in more than 30 countries and employs over 200 people at numerous locations.
By strategically acquiring new technology, Flexicon has expanded its business globally over the past ten years. This international scope created a critical need for easy and efficient communication between Flexicon and its global subsidiaries and customers. Esko’s WebCenter was the perfect match for these demanding criteria and its implementation resulted in a powerful centralized solution that effectively streamlines communications.
Gerrit Sander, Managing Director of Flexicon AG, explains why WebCenter is an ideal match for his company's requirements: “More and more of our customers are demanding the option of handling the approval process via a web-based system with parallel, rapid and centralized access for all involved. We first installed WebCenter in 2005 and it has proven to be a powerful tool for communicating with our customers and all other partners in centralized fashion. It has also enabled us to effectively optimize our own international workflow.”
WebCenter has a comprehensive offering of tools and Flexicon has particularly benefited from the following capabilities: digital approval (facilitating an optimized online approval process), internal communication for remote production, and digital quality control. Flexicon is currently using WebCenter version 6, which includes the ‘Version Compare Function’ (VCF) that enables PDF files to be digitally placed and compared. VCF has been an invaluable tool for ensuring that files used in a globally distributed repro job are accurate, approved and error-free.
WebCenter's centralized database enables Flexicon to securely maintain original data in-house on one server. Everyone involved in a project can download only the data they need to check, by using a web browser and a Java-based viewer. This ease of access offers significant time savings for file upload or downloads. Because the original version remains on the server and changes are only submitted to the production team in the form of remarks, several project participants can work on a file and simultaneously communicate worldwide.
“The Esko WebCenter solution meets all our requirements. As a web-based platform, WebCenter supports multilingual file and project management across all national borders. The related components enable us to automate release and approval processes around the globe,” says Sander.
Flexicon chose WebCenter because of its long and trusted relationship with Esko. Gerrit Sander elaborates: “We have been Esko customers for many years. Esko supplies everything we need to meet our demanding quality requirements, from the workflow concept, to servers, software and a flexographic CTP system. I first saw the WebCenter solution at a trade show in 2005 and recognized that it represented the beginning of a new era for us in terms of customer communication and production reliability.”
WebCenter has been well received by Flexicon's customers and has proven to be an excellent investment. Customers want to handle approvals exclusively via the Internet because it saves time and money. Flexicon's international customers are enthusiastic about using WebCenter for their decision-makers, who frequently work thousands of miles apart and need to simultaneously communicate about projects. Even traditional customers, who still are not Internet-savvy and shy away from modern communication methods, are impressed by Esko's WebCenter. “Once customers use it, they usually don't want any other solution,” explains Sander. “Shipping several versions of a job on multiple data carriers or films largely is a thing of the past at Flexicon. WebCenter is the ultimate communications solution.”
WebCenter has effectively removed all barriers to communication at Flexicon, opening the door to enhanced productivity, accuracy and cost savings. “Esko's WebCenter 6.0 has enabled us to effectively manage the global production requirements in our expanding business, without an increase in associated costs. We can easily check and approve documents, resulting in an efficient production process that saves time, money and resources. WebCenter has increased our efficiency, while guaranteeing high quality and service for our customers,” concludes Gerrit Sander.
Automate. Connect. Accelerate.