Accuware Incorporated contracts deal with Micron Industries Corporation

Accuware has completed initial implementation of an enterprise labeling system to control Micron’s entire label printing needs for production of transformers. 

When Accuware was approached by upper management at Micron they had a long standing relationship with us.  Micron knew we had the end to end experience to take on the major overhaul of an antiquated transformer identification system.  Micron was ready to move their old system that runs on older technology over to a “web intranet” based solution from Accuware. The overall system components of the new solution are a centralized website for printing and user input screens, with a SQL server database on the back end. Seagull Scientific BarTender software is also integrated into the “behind the scenes” server based solution.  Lastly, the thermal printers provided are Zebra Technologies TLP2844 and TLP2844-Z printers.

Accuware has previously provided Micron with thermal printers, supplies, and “out of the box” label printing software, but had not provided the end to end solution that Micron really needed and that Accuware has provided to so many clients.  After some initial meetings with Accuware, the older system was analyzed and it was determined that all needs could be met with Accuware’s solution. In order to weave the new system into the existing fabric of Micron operations it was also decided to integrate the printing of all labels into an existing “intranet” website already in operation at Micron. This site was being used for manufacturing order fulfillment and it was decided to add a “link” to the existing site that would pass 5 pieces of data across to the Accuware printing solution.  But that was the easy part.

In order to satisfy Micron’s label requirements Accuware needed to allow for many label templates to be able to be designed that could be dynamically fed with variable graphic images. The electronics industry has many stringent requirements to labeling. In addition, the labels also needed to be provided with dynamic product rating information that varies from model to model.  Each product can have up to 4 labels that need to be produced based on conditional settings in the software.  Box labels, as well as other miscellaneous labels, are also supported. Micron can add templates by using BarTender software.  This empowers Micron to be able to expand the system to handle any new future label needs. They can also add data to the label database using web based forms provided by Accuware.  The system intelligently allows Micron to specify which box labels and product labels need to be automatically printed, based on the product being produced. 

The Micron solution is an excellent fit for any client with complex label requirements who also wishes to push their label production out to the manufacturing floor without errors. Users select a link from the list of manufacturing orders and the labels that are required are automatically produced and directed to the proper printers.  Manufacturing lines are configured to drive specific printers based on the configuration screens in the Accuware web software.  All software is tested thoroughly on Accuware test servers before initial installation. The system also seamlessly uses the existing printers that are installed today at Micron. Micron will now be strategically positioned to use the labeling solution to drive inventory accuracy.  An inventory record can now be easily written when any product label is printed.

The system expands in all the possible directions. Variable data and variable graphics on variable templates printing to variable printers without users on the floor being required to type anything. There is no scenario the system cannot handle. Most solutions required by other clients will be a subset of the requirements of this project.

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