Industry Frontiers | Explore the impact of cloud computing on the printing and packaging industry in

Packagingand printingcompanies rely on various software applications, from ERP systems such as supply chain management modules to engineering applications such as digital twin platforms. None of these applications can run without the associated IT infrastructure that supports them, including storage, networking, and operating systems. Cloud computing is the medium through which these applications and infrastructure elements are delivered. importantly, it is more flexible, resource-efficient and cost-effective than traditional IT delivery systems.

Instead of paying large upfront costs for hardware and software licenses, package printing businesses   using the cloud pay recurring fees based on the computing power they consume. Data and applications hosted on the public cloud can be accessed anywhere in the world, providing a flexible and convenient computing model for large packaging operations. Package printing companies can also customize hybrid or multi-cloud deployments based on their needs and the specifications of legacy systems. These features make cloud computing an essential technology for packaging and printing companies.

  The matrix below details the areas in cloud computing where packaging printing companies should focus their time and resources. We recommend that packaging and printing companies invest in technology in shades of green, explore the prospect of investing in technology in shades of yellow, and ignore red shaded areas.

  Pharmaceutical companies must invest heavily in cloud computing across their value chains. Cloud computing offers a variety of benefits, from ensuring R&A collaboration between research teams and capturing large data sets from clinical trials to accelerating regulatory submission procedures and improving sales data collection.

  In addition to investing in specialized SaaS solutions, pharmaceutical companies can also invest in PaaS to develop software tailored to their specific R&D or business goals. Larger pharmaceutical companies could also consider investing in IaaS, partnering with cloud providers to develop proprietary platforms on which to create their own software.

  Pharmaceutical companies face the same pressures as healthcare providers and payers regarding patient data privacy and sovereignty. An on-premises private cloud would suit a large pharmaceutical company with a large presence, but a hosted private cloud would be more cost-effective and offer easier management. Public clouds offer the most cost-effective solutions, while multi-cloud environments are gaining popularity in the industry.

  01. How cloud computing can help solve supply chain challenges

  A number of cloud-based applications can improve the efficiency and resiliency of a packaging printing enterprise's supply chain. First, many leading supply chain management applications are delivered through the cloud, including products from Oracle, SAP and Logility.

  These applications enable packaging printing companies to optimize supply chains and automate management. Typical features include automated freight procurement, route optimization, and real-time updates on locations and delays. Packaging and printing companies can use these cloud-based applications to better understand the entire supply chain and optimize logistics accordingly.

  Second, cloud-based engineering applications, such as digital twin platforms, enable packaging printing companies to gain a deeper understanding of the machines and physical assets that underpin their production facilities. By collecting and analyzing data from these assets and developing digital twins, package printing companies can proactively rather than reactively maintain industrial machinery, prevent unplanned downtime, and in turn ensure that the wider supply chain faces fewer disruptions.

  02. How cloud computing can help solve quality control challenges

  Cloud computing can facilitate packaging and printing enterprises to store and analyze data. Packaging printing quality control depends on packaging printing machinery performance and the consistency of characteristics and dimensions of packaging printing products. Monitoring these metrics requires collecting large amounts of data, which is then analyzed and turned into actionable insights. That's exactly what the cloud allows providers to do.

  For example, Elopak commissioned the services of software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider HAI to improve its quality control process. HAI's software solution analyzed data related to quality control, including package seal strength measurements and automated product and equipment inspections.

  Elopak operators using HAI software will be alerted if the analysis indicates that the package print quality will fall below acceptable standards. This gives operators time to prevent this from happening by proactively adjusting production processes.