Koenig & Bauer has announced a partnership with Tessitura, a German company specializing in software solutions, to set up an interconnected production network. The partnership aims to unify machines from different manufacturers, including older equipment, into a single network.
This initiative stands out for its open approach, enabling machines of various brands and generations to be connected. The Tessitura Odeon, at the heart of this project, is based on a dashboard capable of monitoring the status of even the most basic equipment, thanks to sensors such as light beams.
Interconnecting old and new equipment
One of the major challenges facing printing and packaging plants is to integrate older presses into a modern monitoring system. Thanks to Odeon Connect, a box based on Raspberry Pi technology, machine signals can be converted into a standard digital language. This solution makes it possible to integrate even unconnected equipment into a production network.
Access to this information is centralized in the Koenig & Bauer cloud, via the MyKyana portal, where data can be viewed in real time. So, whether it's a latest-generation press or an older machine, every production unit can be monitored with the same efficiency.
Odeon doesn't just connect machines. The system also enables real-time monitoring of equipment operating states - whether running, in preparation or stopped. The ability to generate accurate production information enables managers to make informed decisions to optimize performance and minimize downtime.
Towards interoperability between systems
Another notable aspect of this partnership is its openness to other suppliers. Koenig & Bauer is not the first to work with Tessitura; other players in the converting industry, such as Komori and Hunkeler, have already adopted these solutions. This strategy is an important lever for printers wishing to integrate different technologies without depending exclusively on a single manufacturer.
In the long term, this integration goes beyond simply interconnecting machines. Koenig & Bauer's MyKyana portal already offers advanced services such as Kyana Assist, a technical support chatbot based on artificial intelligence. The latter is designed to help solve problems in real time and facilitate the analysis of production data.
The partnership between Koenig & Bauer and Tessitura illustrates the transition to more intelligent, interconnected production systems. The unification of machines from different manufacturers, including older ones, in an integrated, real-time production network, prefigures the future of the graphics industry. These advances open up new prospects for printers seeking to maximize efficiency while optimizing the management of their machine fleets.
