Category: Uncategorized

bel celebrates 25th anniversary

Published: 5 Dec 2023

bel Information Systems, developer of Overprint MIS for the printing & packaging industry, has marked 25 years of continuous evolution with a strong customer focus, committed to ensuring full business coverage.
 
Founded in 1998 in Athens, Greece, bel started its journey with an ambitious vision of providing professional services to the graphic arts industry. Following successful recognition by the market for their eagerness and professionalism, and while bel identified a critical gap in managing business processes, in 2001 they initiated the development of Overprint.
 
The first release of the software was launched in 2004 for commercial printing, which was then in prosperous growth. At the time, the system mainly comprised a version of the cost estimation module, which over time underwent substantial enrichment expanding its functionality to include production management, warehouse management, automated data collection, several integrations, etc.
 
Since 2007, Overprint MIS has extended its reach into the packaging segment offering exceptional value proposition, as it had been designed specifically for packaging requirements. The software’s ongoing enhancements reflect its adaptability to evolving market demands solidifying its position as a pivotal player in the packaging landscape.
 
Another important milestone was the entry into the IML industry in 2011, covering extended order processing and ganging, while today Overprint is the only MIS whose segmented platform has been developed specifically for in-mould label printing. Equivalent specialization has been developed in the platform for labels in 2018, incorporating automated costing and production proposals. The year 2021 a historic deployment for bel took place, its largest-ever, as Overprint’s segmented platform was adapted for security printing.
 
bel’s commitment to delivering excellence and unparalleled value is ensured by a team of dedicated professionals who continue to fortify the organization’s growth track. As we celebrate 25 years of successfully managing the print lifecycle, bel remains dedicated to pushing boundaries, setting industry benchmarks, and ensuring sustainable value for its esteemed customers.

 

 

 

Overprint’s successful debut with BOBST at Labelexpo Europe 2023

Published: 26 Sep 2023

bel realized its most successful Labelexpo show to date, where Overprint’s integration with BOBST made its debut in the international label industry. With a newly revitalized brand style in place, the company promptly engaged with customers, partners, and new industry contacts to present the latest innovations and technological advancements in its Overprint Management Information System.
 
Yiannis Katis, bel’s CEO comments: “The activity at our booth and at the show far exceeded our expectations. There was considerable interest in our system, especially in the newly developed BOBST integration and our highly established IML offering.” He adds: “Visitors to our booth acknowledged and complimented the cutting-edge advancements and innovative features of our Overprint MIS. The feedback we received was very positive and we were content to see that customers continue to adapt to the digital age at a very high pace.”
 
From September 11-14, bel was showcasing its Overprint MIS in its booth 9A15 and in BOBST’s booth 3A58 at Labelexpo Europe in Brussels Expo, Belgium. During the show bel’s team presented the platform of Overprint MIS and provided visitors with live demonstrations.
 
bel unveiled a momentous integration with BOBST, one of the world’s leading supplier of equipment for labels and flexible packaging production, featuring advancements that aim to drive production and ensure comprehensive quality assurance.
 
The latest innovations that leverage the power of technology, connectivity, and machine learning were introduced. Overprint MIS has undergone significant enhancements, with a focus on materials management, traceability, and quality control.
 
These improvements empower businesses to optimize their operations and maintain the highest standards of quality. Utilizing the powerful tools within Overprint MIS, converters can gain a competitive edge, and achieve greater competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.
 
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, customers, and industry colleagues who have been a part of our journey. We eagerly anticipate your presence in Barcelona in 2025, where we will unveil even more exciting innovations from Overprint MIS that will redefine the world of labels and packaging.

 

 

 

bel announces integration with BOBST at Labelexpo

Published: 25 Jul 2023

bel shares the news of a momentous integration of Overprint MIS with BOBST, one of the world’s leading supplier of equipment for labels and flexible packaging production, which will be unveiled during Labelexpo Europe 2023, featuring advancements that aim to drive production and ensure comprehensive quality assurance.
 
These advancements are announced below:
 
1. Overprint’s Cost Estimation tool is ready to provide a hybrid view of calculating and forecasting optimum production proposals across varying print quantities and different print & embellishing technologies, easily facilitating accurate cost estimations & resources management. The tool is capable of synchronously managing the DIGITAL MASTER series, as well as all flexo presses on BOBST’S portfolio. This makes for an efficient conventional vs digital comparison, as well as any technology – considering all shop floor equipment, including embellishment options.
 
2. Another touch point of the integration is the real-time job ticket submission via JDF on BOBST’s DFE automating the print production workflow, reducing time to production, and allowing precise transfer of job details. Streamlining the print production workflow via JDF simplifies the process of managing complex print jobs, i.e. with multi-layer labels, and allows the converter to efficiently handle large volumes of work. Via real-time JDF submission, production is driven through Overprint MIS, which acts as the core management system of the business, across all shop floor equipment and devices.
 
3. Inspection reports from BOBST’s ACCUCHECK are now incorporated into the job ticket on the MIS, bringing quality control of the production output available to the users of the MIS throughout the whole manufacturing process. This Overprint feature ensures comprehensive quality assurance.
 
4. Integration of bel’s IoT devices on the production floor, enable real-time Floor Data Collection for valuable insights such as consumptions, idle times, and maintenance intervals. Connecting all traditional equipment next to the BOBST CONNECT digital platform, serving data management both now and into the future, makes for an end-to-end sustainable solution.
 
Leveraging advanced technology, connectivity, and machine learning, Overprint powers labels & packaging workflows to boost competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability in the digital era of label production.
 
bel will be present at booth 9A15 (Hall 9) and at BOBST’s booth 3A58 (Hall 3) during Labelexpo Europe 2023.
 
Visitors can register on this link to unlock a personalized presentation that caters to their specific needs and interests.

 

 

 

Powering Label & Packaging Workflows

Published: 19 Jul 2023

With the aim to help converters in achieving greater competitiveness, efficiency, and sustainability while optimizing their business operations for the digital age, bel proudly introduces its latest innovations that leverage the power of technology, connectivity and machine learning.

One of the key features of Overprint MIS is its Cost Estimation tool, which provides a hybrid view of conventional and digital production environments. Leveraging a Machine Learning algorithm and historical data, the tool calculates and forecasts optimum production proposals, comparing costs across varying print quantities for each press technology. Additional features allow for accurate cost management, enabling users to review actual production costs and make informed decisions.

Furthermore, Overprint MIS optimizes production planning by displaying production tasks in one main view, along with calculated time estimations based on machine learning, parameterization, and manual data entry. The system’s Machine Learning forecasting utilizes historical production data to provide the most accurate time estimations, constantly re-calculating to ensure optimized job prioritization and gain on preparation times regardless of last-minute changes.

By digitizing and connecting all areas of the business, Overprint MIS offers comprehensive, end-to-end production monitoring in a central access point. Automation of production steps and workflows ensures consistent and error-free processes, eliminating bottlenecks and human errors. The system’s control points facilitate approval processes, job ticket management, and more, promoting streamlined operations.

Moreover, Overprint MIS incorporates improved materials management, traceability, and quality control features. It also integrates with IoT devices on the production floor, enabling real-time Floor Data Collection for valuable insights such as consumptions, idle times, and maintenance intervals. This streamlines data logging, reduces administrative tasks, and enhances productivity.

The Business Intelligence module within Overprint MIS consolidates and analyzes data from production stages, offering advanced analytics and meaningful metrics. Users gain a complete overview of the business, empowering timely and accurate decision-making while identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.

bel’s commitment to seamless integration is evident through collaborations with industry-leading solution platforms and technology providers. Integrations with several ERP systems, and with Esko Automation Engine and Hybrid Cloudflow streamline process management and workflow automation.

Advanced integrations with press manufacturers will be unveiled (as recently announced with BOBST), such as real-time job ticket submission via JDF integration on a DFE and incorporating inspection reports from other systems into the job ticket. These advancements aim to drive production and ensure comprehensive quality assurance.

“The latest developments are designed to enhance connectivity in hybrid environments, unlocking seamless workflow integration while boosting efficiency, automation, and productivity. With Overprint MIS, converters can confidently navigate the challenges of the modern landscape, maximizing their potential and thriving in the digital era,” says Yiannis Katis, CEO of bel. “This will be a landmark show for bel, setting the stage for the future direction of Overprint MIS.”

Visitors can find bel on booth 9A15 (Hall 9) and on BOBST’s booth 3A58 (Hall 3) during Labelexpo Europe 2023 to witness these advancements firsthand.

To unlock a personalized presentation that caters to their specific needs and interests, visitors can register on this link.

 

 

 

bel becomes a FINAT member

Published: 26 May 2023

We are happy to announce that bel has become a member of FINAT, just before we became a sponsor of the #FINAT23 European Label Forum (ELF).

FINAT is the European association for the self-adhesive label industry, also covering adjacent narrow-web product decoration and identification technologies. It is an organization that brings together more than 500 companies of all disciplines in labeling in more than 50 countries worldwide, representing the interests of the self-adhesive label industry.

For bel to be joining one of the most important professional associations in the label industry is a major milestone, which confirms and reinforces the focus on establishing Overprint MIS in the label and packaging industry.

FINAT’s annual European Label Forum will be held in Vienna, Austria from 31 May-2 June 2023. Our presence at the ELF will strengthen the link with the labeling industry and will increase brand awareness of Overprint MIS in international markets. Meanwhile, it opens up the opportunity for us to exchange key information and ideas, learn about the latest label industry developments and relevant topics, as well as to network and connect with label professionals.

The label producers who will attend the event will be able to find out more information on our Overprint MIS product offering and how it can support their business in improving operational performance and workflow automation.

 

 

 

Overprint MIS integration with Esko’s Automation Engine

Published: 15 May 2023

When it comes to integrations with other systems, bel’s team of business consultants could not find a better opportunity than to integrate Overprint MIS with Esko’s Automation Engine. The implemented solution involves a 2-point integration with Esko Automation Engine, the first with the prepress and the second with the production process.

Overprint MIS being the core management system within an organization generates the codification by which the products and orders are logged and communicated within the company’s organizational structure. The integration allows the interaction of Overprint MIS and Esko Automation Engine via Automation Engine’s Connect, enabling the sharing of data within the whole organization.

 

Workflow of Overprint integration with Esko Automation Engine

 

Which is the functionality of the solution

Overprint MIS communicates the job’s technical specifications to Automation Engine, where a prepress job is created using the very same data. Alongside, the product is also created within Esko Automation Engine using the codification sourced by Overprint. This means that job creation in Automation Engine can be initiated from within the MIS. The data comprises the product number, description, customer information, and product specs such as the number of colors, die-cut plate number, substrate information, etc. The prepress department works on the same data set as the customer service team and the same information is moved forward to the production floor.

Following the approval of artwork, the job ticket generated in Overprint MIS is also submitted to the Layout module of Esko Automation Engine where the Step & Repeat (S&R) is performed. This functionality can apply to both a single-product job or a job containing several products, a job that is created using the Orders Ganging functionality in Overprint MIS. In the latter case, there will be more than one product in the same job ticket. The information transmitted is the product(-s) ID, product type(-s), quantities per product type, die-cut plate info, customer service information, and other metadata. This info will be matched to the product that was created in Esko Automation Engine by the previous integration step. After the S&R is performed, a production job is created and sent to the production department for printing. The production job is designed with a predefined structure and job parameters, according to the needs of production.

 

Benefits delivered with the integration

  • Automation with the minimum of user intervention eliminates the need to input data manually into Esko Automation Engine; this further streamlines and automates the overall job processing, which in turn increases efficiency.
  • Eliminates errors from manual entries.
  • Use of one point of reference enables the seamless interaction among customer service, prepress, and production departments.
  • Linking MIS job tickets with Esko Automation Engine products increases productivity and responsiveness, and eventually, it helps provide better customer service and satisfaction.
  • Higher productivity will increase your organization’s overall production capacity.

 

This integration is opening up a wealth of opportunities for our customer base. Overprint MIS supporting all industry segments and any production line within the same platform means the integration solution can be scaled to any environment.

 

 

Gold distinction at the Packaging Awards 2022

Published: 12 Jul 2022

bel has won another Gold award, this time at the Packaging Awards 2022 organized by Boussias Communications, which validates the innovation that Overprint MIS provides by the utilization of technology and the added value it brings to the supply chain of products’ packaging.

At the awards ceremony which took place on Thursday, July 7, the top packages of the year were awarded, as nominated by the judging committee, for their innovation in design, the materials used, the technology used, and the processes, which add value to the entire packaging chain of a product.

“bel, responding to market trends and the needs of its customers in Greece and abroad who have been trusting the company for more than 20 years, presents the new functionality in Overprint that covers the traceability of raw materials and finished products using portable terminals and advanced systems of data collection from production and warehouse sites, thus ensuring its customers the assurance of quality and safety standards”, says Konstantinos Spyropoulos, Global Sales & Business Development Director of bel.

bel received the Gold award for Overprint’s integrated solution on Data Collection and Traceability in the category of Production management systems and quality control in printing.

The safety and quality of food and pharma require a reliable traceability system from printing and packaging companies. Built with innate agility and extensive data management capabilities, Overprint MIS provides different ways to log material consumption and waste in production, either manually or through automated data collection terminals on the production floor.

Traceability is achieved via management by LOT numbers, barcodes and/or RFID tags, and through data collection devices that replace the way data is logged and verified, with quality assurance and automation in warehouse and logistics processes. Automation can be achieved by applying Industry 4.0 and JDF standards to the print lifecycle.

By leveraging the capabilities of the internet, continuous connectivity and information exchange are enabled. The digitization of processes and workflows allows a business to exchange information more efficiently, empowering the interaction between people and equipment. This increases overall efficiency, enabling service delivery at speed, ease of access, and convenience.

The derived benefits of the integrated solution on Data Collection and Traceability provided by Overprint MIS, are increased production efficiency, elimination of bottlenecks and human errors, increased quality, and savings of time and manpower.

The solution is in operation at print and packaging companies that own Overprint MIS.

Implementation of Overprint MIS at the University of West Attica

Published: 14 Apr 2022

The implementation of Overprint MIS at the Hellenic Graphic-Media Research Lab – GRAPHMEDLAB of the University of West Attica opens up new opportunities. Following an open tender for the supply of a management and print production planning system – graphic arts MIS software, bel was selected for the supply, implementation, and training of Overprint.

bel is a pioneer, Greek producer of specialized software and services and integrated IT solutions, servicing with absolute consistency and quality since 1998 the printing and packaging industry in the Greek and global market.

The Hellenic Graphic-Media Research Lab – GRAPHMEDLAB develops initiatives and collaborations in the wider field of science and technology of graphic arts, printing, and packaging with all relevant communities and industry bodies in Greece and abroad.

The implementation of the integrated Overprint MIS system completes a range of material-technical infrastructure meeting the research and educational needs of the laboratory, providing additional benefits, such as:

  • the practical application of integrated management of print production, in the individual production stages (prepress, printing, finishing – bookbinding and carton packaging), as implemented in all industries (either commercial printing, publishing, carton packaging, labels, or paper cups),
  • the education and familiarization of students with the modern standards and new technologies (such as Industry 4.0, automated data collection and processing, Internet of Things (IoT), and Machine Learning) used in the industry, thus preparing them for the labor market, and
  • new opportunities for research collaborations in the context of digital transformation and industry development.

“We are pleased that Overprint MIS was chosen by the University of West Attica, a system that has been established in the Greek market, and that we contribute to the development and modernization of the pathway of the Graphic Arts Technology. We believe that the important know-how we possess, will benefit both in educational and research level”, says Konstantinos Spyropoulos, Global Sales & Business Development Director of bel.

“The implementation of bel’s system – that is designed and produced in Greece, allows the development of close cooperation between the educational units and especially the pathway of the Graphic Arts Technology through our research laboratory, with the innovative applications and technologies that exist in the industry segments and the printing and packaging industry. The familiarization of the students of the graphic arts, printing and packaging science with the modern technologies and systems applied in our companies is absolutely necessary, so that our new graduates of Graphic Arts Technology, are well prepared for their successful entry into the labor market after completing their studies.

In addition, the implementation and operation of the system will allow the development and promotion of research and innovation in the fields of holistic transformation of the Greek converters and producers with the use of modern digital applications at many levels, as well as in the context of digital transformation,” says Dr. Anastasios E. Politis, Director of the Laboratory of Graphic Arts Technology and Visual Communication Media – GRAPHMEDLAB of UniWA.

Printing Awards 2022: bel wins the Gold award for Overprint’s Control Center

Published: 2 Dec 2021

bel wins the Gold award in its category in the Printing Awards 2022 organized by Boussias Communications for the second time in Greece. Leading representatives of the printing & packaging industry gathered in the awards ceremony which took place on Wednesday, December 1st at the Radisson Blu Park hotel in Athens. Specifically, bel received the Gold award for the integrated solution of Overprint’s Control Center in the category Production management systems and quality control in printing.

“It is a great honor and pleasure to win the Gold Award for Control Center at the Printing Awards. The award seals our strength in the market and the achievement of our goals, utilizing data from the entire production workflow, automating processes, and connecting people and equipment. The awarding to Overprint MIS shows the recognition of the efforts of all our people and the way in which bel envisions the development of its products around the 3 pillars: digitization, automation, connectivity. The Printing Awards is an important establishment which provides a platform for the promotion of innovative and successful projects. Our customers are the ones who inspire us and drive us every day to aim higher,” says Konstantinos Spyropoulos, Global Sales & Business Development Director of bel.

Having acknowledged the challenges faced by its customers, bel has listed some of their requirements, as follows: comparing cost estimation calculations versus actual production costs of job orders, accurate and on-time information on production times (and therefore costs) data, elimination of errors arising from manual data entries either due to incorrect quantities (e.g. consumption of print materials) or incorrect entries (on start/end times, job set-up /production, stoppages, reasons of stoppages e.g. due to maintenance, breakdowns, lunch breaks, etc.)

Therefore, it identified the need to automate communication and data logging throughout all production stages, which will be able to provide the system with data and information in an automated and reliable manner.

The solution to this was given by Overprint Control Center, an integrated system for the automated collection and processing of production data through the integration of PLCs on production equipment (printing machines, cutting systems, folders, gluers, etc.) regardless of type and manufacturer.

The PLCs monitor on-line and continuously record all critical parameters of the production process, to achieve real-time monitoring, such as:

  • Start time, end time and duration of production stages
  • Start time, end time and duration of equipment set-up stages
  • Average operating speed of equipment
  • Equipment status (set-up, operation, stoppages)
  • Start time, end time and duration of equipment stoppages
  • Consumed and produced quantities

eliminating the need for manual data entries and thus eliminating human errors.

Nowadays, there is a newly established environment where digitization, automation, and connectivity play an important role in today’s value chain. Overprint MIS and the aforementioned Overprint Control Center automation solution have been developed and designed upon the principles of the 3 pillars of our vision of The Connected Converter which are: Digitization – Automation – Connectivity.

The main outcomes that derive out of the benefits of the automated communication and data logging throughout all production stages are increased production efficiency and profitability, competitive agility, and improved ability to serve customers.

The integrated automation solution for data entry, Overprint Control Center, with the integration of PLCs and their connection to the Overprint MIS system has been successfully installed in printers & converters in Greece, Turkey, Poland.

 

 

Our vision: THE CONNECTED CONVERTER

Published: 27 Sep 2021

This year’s iarigai – IC annual scientific conferences jointly took place in Athens, Greece during September 19-24. They covered innovation and evolution in research, industry and education of the graphic communication, print, media, and packaging sectors.

bel was one of the sponsoring companies invited to deliver a keynote speech and shared its vision on The Connected Converter.

Having acknowledged the challenges that converters face, bel provides optimum solutions and services that make it easy for converters to leverage data across the entire production workflow, seamlessly automate processes and connect people and equipment.

We take pride in developing our flagship product, Overprint MIS, around these 3 pillars: Digitization – Automation – Connectivity.

Digitization

Digitization of the processes and workflows enables your business to exchange information more effectively, empowers interaction between people and equipment, enables the collection of data, provides an end-to-end view to all connected parties, establishes trends, and makes better & faster decision-making.

This in turn increases overall efficiency, making your business more agile, delivering services at speed, ease of access, and convenience. More importantly, it allows your print business to be driven by data and you, as a business owner, to make fact-based decisions.

 

Automation

By automating every production step and process, your entire production line runs smoothly. The benefits when automating your workflow are raising your output, additional increase of short runs production, eliminating bottlenecks & human errors, increased quality, savings of time and manpower.

Converters can start small in automation steps and include additional levels of automation as their business grows, or as people are getting familiar to the automation process. Management Information Systems should be developed for this task, whereas you can bring automation to key touch points in the production workflow. Automation can be added on every individual task by applying Industry 4.0 and JDF standards to the print lifecycle.

 

Connectivity

In the newly established environment information exchange should be on the spot, decision-making needs to be based on data and done fast, bottlenecks and errors to be eliminated. This means that the supply chain for the conversion of a product should be connected in a seamless way leveraging the internet capabilities, allowing continuous connectivity and exchange of information.

All parties involved to the conversion of a product need to have a complete overview of the production process as well as established ways of exchanging information, workflows for approval of job tickets and processes, etc. Continuous access to online systems allows the management of the workflow, data, and communication channels.

 

The main outcomes that derive out of these benefits are increased production efficiency and profitability, competitive agility, and improved ability to serve customers.

Thus, the entire production line, from the creation of the pdf file to the final product, is connected. In this environment, people and equipment are talking to each other seamlessly, transmitting data online. Eventually, the processes are completed as designed, repeating accurately every time.

Overprint MIS, developed upon the principles of the 3 pillars works as the core management system ensuring an efficient and optimized converting process. Its exhaustive, modular, and strongly customizable architecture makes it an ideal fit for every industry segment.