Paxonix

Source: Food and Drink Digital

Date :22/11/2007 07:06:52

Digital Workflow Solutions for Packaging

Offering new solutions to the packaging industry, ExecUS looks at Paxonix’ service offering and how it will make branding and packaging decisions easier to manage

Written by Lucy Mowatt and Produced by Michael Magno

Paxonix is a division of MeadWestvaco, a $6 billion business with over 120 years experience in the packaging industry, offering diversified packaging solutions to a variety of industries in more than 30 countries worldwide. Paxonix has headquarters in Connecticut with offices in New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and California. Paxonix has customers in 31 countries.

The products designed and developed by MeadWestvaco have received a number of awards; in 2005 the company won the 62nd Annual Paperboard Packaging Council President’s Award and the Canadian National Packaging Competition Silver Award for Labatt Brewing Company’s Tailgate’r 28-can-holder solution. This is in addition to a number of other awards. Recently Paxonix was awarded the Consumer Goods Technology magazine’s “Readers Choice, Best in Class” award for 2007.

This can be attributed to the company’s focus on employing the right people for the job. All employees are qualified for their role within the business, having trained across a range of disciplines. This is added to by additional and ongoing training programs which ensure that its people have the means to work effectively.

The work-life balance is very important for Paxonix too and as such the company offers employees excellent healthcare options, a 401k pension scheme and a number of other benefits. This all ensures that talented and valued individuals stay with the business and are motivated to offer their best efforts.

Attracting attention

According to an AMR study in 2004, 70 percent of consumers choose exactly which products to buy while they are in store. This means packaging not only has to be practical and safe, but also has to be eye catching and appealing when it is on the shelf. Paxonix prides itself on being able to offer its clients a service which will ensure that their specifications are met in an effective and straightforward way.

The company’s web-based platform for managing the process of design and development of packaging solutions is the means of achieving these aims. PaxPro is a software application which factors in not only packaging requirements, but budget and timing issues. This means that Paxonix’ customers have the option to focus on their day-to-day business while they get on with developing a solution. Based on Dassault Systemes Enovia platform, PaxPro is delivered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, which means customers do not need to install any hardware, software or have any valuable IT resources deployed. Paxonix hosts and supports the entire system via the web.

PaxPro works from the initial idea of a product, right through to approval and production of the packaging. This streamlines the process and can be applied across a whole range of industries. Each platform is customized for the industry and company involved, so that all solutions are bespoke and individual.

This process is aided by the assignment of a Solutions Engineer to each project. This Paxonix employee performs a ‘Fit-to-Business’ analysis for each customer. This process assesses exactly what is required of PaxPro and how to fit it into the client’s current operations. They then help to resolve any technical problems and see the design through from ideas to concept. This involves developing a detailed business plan about how the project will develop and timescale projections.

Customer support

Following on from this, PaxPro is configured and tested to ensure that it is fit for purpose and hits the client’s initial specifications. Once this is complete a training program is offered to the client’s employees. Again, this addresses the needs of the customer alongside the packaging. This can be carried out both on-site or as a distance course, so that entire companies become aware of the benefits of PaxPro and the packaging solution.

After these stages are complete, Paxonix also offers an ongoing support program, which evaluates the success of the packaging process, and irons out any further requirements. This can also involve additional training and access to a customer care center. As a further development, the Paxonix website has an Online Knowledge Center. This contains a range of frequently asked questions, which means that customers can gain access to important information at any time.

So far, PaxPro has found applications in cosmetics, personal care, fast moving consumer groups, food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology sectors. This demonstrates the wide range of successes that Paxonix has seen. US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found that of all the food, beverage and pharmaceutical product recalls, 51 percent were caused by labeling errors. The PaxPro solution cuts down on the chances of this happening, because of a comprehensive process of testing and configuration, which validates under the FDA 21 CFR Part 11 regulations.

Gathering data

All Paxonix processes are based on best practices, six sigma and other quality management programs. This is not just used to control statistics, but it is used as a way to organize and implement best practices for individual customers. The consistent application of best practices means errors are avoided and high quality goods and services are always provided.

The PaxPro Enterprise Integration Server can be used to ensure data from disparate systems across ad enterprise is available to all members of the package and labeling design and development process. Many times, information needed for this process, such as SKU numbers, regulatory text, etc., is housed in other systems such as SAP or other ERP applications. The PaxPro Enterprise Integration Server manages the integration of data between PaxPro and these other systems. In this way, customers can integrate PaxPro into other enterprise-wide applications

The Paxonix Business Rules Engine (PBRE) works alongside the Enterprise Integration Server and PaxForms to ensure that a client’s business process is based on best practices and is as automated as sensible. For example, if legal advice has to be consulted before a marketing campaign is unveiled, then the PBRE will ensure that the legal team sees the proper information at exactly the right time during the process.

Additionally, all tasks throughout the process are visible and transparent to all. No more phone calls to see where something is in process. Customers can simply look at a dashboard that will tell them everything about a current process; who has completed their tasks, did they complete them on time, who has the current task, when it is due, etc. In this way, customers can focus on their real job: creating innovative and effective branding and packaging, and not worry about administrative functions that are best left to technology to accomplish

Other modules of the PaxPro solution include; digital asset management, project management, specification management, reporting, product repurposing and automatic proofreading, meaning it can cover every company’s branding and packaging needs.

Paxonix customers find that the solution increases speed to market, reduces the amount of rework, increases quality, and provides transparency, visibility and auditability to the entire brand and package design development process. ¬