With label converters seeing an influx of job orders and time of the essence, Label Traxx has optimized a host of new products to further streamline efficiency. The company boasts 100% automated scheduling, online artwork approvals, its Siteline web portal for customers, and much more.

As part of L&NW Label Insights, we recently spoke with Rob Mayerson, president of Label Traxx, about how the company’s newest products can save converters time and money.

L&NW: What are the benefits of Siteline, and how has it improved?

RM: Simply put, Siteline provides convenience for brands doing business with their packaging partners. By centralizing all points of interaction between a brand and their packaging partner – not just shopping – both parties benefit tremendously in terms of communication. Label converters can focus on what they do best, rather than spend time chasing answers to simple questions. Imagine a bank taking dozens of phone calls every day at every branch to aid customers asking for account balance information – we all know there’s a better way.  Yet, that’s how many label converters and their customers continue to operate.

L&NW: What can you tell us about your automated scheduling module?

RM: We’ve taken the complex algorithm of determining an optimal schedule out of a person’s brain and relocated it into configurable software, with machine learning and the potential for human interaction. We believe humans should manage exceptions, rather than repeat mundane tasks repeatedly. The benefits of reduced waste and press availability are easily visualized and confirmed with a reporting suite aimed at simplifying and presenting data in an actionable way.

L&NW: How does Artwork Approvals make life simpler for the label converter?

RM: This is just another example of centralizing the communication between a brand and their packaging partner.  We think it’s borderline ridiculous to provide a customer multiple portals with separate logins for different tasks. And then throw in email communication on top!  We believe a packaging provider can and should provide a single environment for everything – file uploads, product and SKU management, collaboration, order placing, checking status, and payment.

L&NW: How has automation been prioritized with these newest releases?

RM: First, I’d say that Siteline automates and simplifies order entry.  The system automatically combines like-products onto single job tickets, a previously labor intensive process with SKU proliferation.  And through integration with automated prepress systems, files flow from a shopping experience directly to a digital press or platesetter. These types of improvements can literally take days out of the pre-production process, which is much lower hanging fruit compared to squeezing minutes out of manufacturing make-ready.

L&NW: What other new products has Label Traxx been working on?

RM: With the pace of consolidation accelerating, we see an emergence of enterprises running professional operations. Our team is working on a suite of features designed for this environment. Imagine a single view of multiple facilities without losing a simple interface.  That’s our goal.  We believe an enterprise with multiple locations should be able to manage all of their resources, such as tools, materials, employees, etc.  – all from a single pane of glass. That approach enables the enterprise to do things like assess performance globally, move jobs and more.

L&NW: What can we expect from Label Traxx in the future?

RM: We are excited to announce a refreshed user interface, Version 9, to be released later this year. We’ve modernized every single screen, which has been a monumental undertaking. Users of the system will benefit from a more enjoyable experience, as well as increased ease of use and efficiency. Our mantra is to help customers unlock their human potential, so this was a top priority.