Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) unveiled its new
web-based Remote Service - eCall - at Graph Expo, which
is being held from September 9-12, 2007 in Chicago. Operators of
presses equipped with this module can automatically send an error
message generated by the press to the responsible Heidelberg
service organization at the touch of a button.
If there is an impending service issue, the press notifies
the operator with an eCall alert on the console screen. The
operator then determines when, and if, to send the information to
Heidelberg. In under a minute, the data required is sent and a
preliminary diagnosis is produced electronically. Based on this
diagnosis, the Heidelberg team of experts comes up with a proposed
solution which is communicated to the user by phone. Customers no
longer need to phone the Heidelberg Expert Support Team, give their
contact details and explain the problem. The electronic
notification sent by the press - once the user has given the
go-ahead by pressing a button - provides the Heidelberg
experts with all the information they need, enabling them to work
out a solution for the customer quickly.
Compared to the conventional process, this can result in a
time saving of up to 50 percent.
"With the launch of its web-based Remote Service
solution at drupa 2004, Heidelberg set new technology standards
within the print media industry and beyond, increasing machine
availability for users and cutting service costs. With eCall,
Heidelberg is now taking a further step in the development of
intelligent service functions that dramatically cut response times
for expert customer feedback," states Dr. Jürgen Rautert,
CTO at Heidelberg, as he underlines the customer benefits.
"The potential for web-based service functions in offset
printing is far from exhausted, though. In the future, electronic
diagnostic options will further improve to the point where presses
report a prediction of a problem even before there is a
stoppage," he adds.
Innovative and powerful diagnostic and analytical functions
perform the fault analysis in the presses. The Prinect CP2000
Center provides the user with details of the fault on screen and
asks for the go-ahead to forward the information to the Heidelberg
service team. Once this go-ahead is given, the responsible experts
receive the analysis as an electronic notification, enabling them
to work out a proposed solution right away and get back to the
customer.
The pilot markets for eCall are the U.S. and Germany, where
the function will be available from the start of next year for all
new press deliveries with Prinect CP 2000 as part of the system
service 36plus program. A phased global market launch
will follow on from drupa 2008.
Image:
With eCall, its new web-based Remote Service function,
Heidelberg will increase its customers' machine availability and
help cut service costs.
Further information for journalists:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Corporate Communications
Matthias Hartung
Tel.: +49 (0)6221 92 50 77
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 50 46
E-mail:
matthias.hartung@heidelberg.com