“Heidelberg has been building and enhancing the elements of its Systemservice portfolio for more than a decade,” said Ulrich Koehler, Senior Vice President Systemservice at Heidelberg USA. “Because there’s no such thing as a ‘one size-fits-all’ service solution, the current launch provides customers with a comprehensive menu of services and the flexibility to choose from among them. Heidelberg’s reconfigured Systemservice portfolio uniquely satisfies customers’ growing demand for increased efficiency and lower operating costs.”
Technical Services
Keeping production equipment in top condition is the basis for guaranteed uptime and lays the foundation for achieving operational excellence. Heidelberg Technical Services ensures this through modules that cover repair service and parts, intelligent support and proactive maintenance services. Benefits include 24/7 access to Heidelberg’s global network of experts, increased machine availability and higher productivity through rapid support. Options include on-site repairs by factory-trained service technicians (break/fix); preventive maintenance (lubrication, adjustment and parts replacement); and a wide range of Remote Services including troubleshooting, application support, remote inspection and new Remote Monitoring. More than 60% of electronic problems on presses and more than 90% of reported problems on Prinect/CtP Workflow Systems can be solved remotely without an on-site visit.
Even a machine in top running condition may fail to achieve peak performance unless its operators are properly trained. For this reason, Heidelberg has extended its Systemservice portfolio to include a range of Performance Services aimed at developing the people who run the presses. After an Operator Evaluation first determines the areas where training is needed, Heidelberg can develop a customized program for those needs. The OEM can also perform optimized equipment maintenance on specific issues with clear goals and benefits. For example, one such program is Print Color Management, a comprehensive service package designed to help users of Heidelberg equipment reach optimal colour coordination while reducing make-ready times and waste. IT Services, another example, offers a range of equipment upgrades and retrofits, increasing the functionality of a system by adding new features and enhancing existing ones.
Consulting Services
Understanding operational data and employing the right processes is the third element needed for operational excellence and maximum performance. Heidelberg Consulting Services provide the right data, measuring metrics and evaluation tools to define output through key performance indicators. In addition, process analysis and employing sustainable production methods ensure added efficiency. Through monthly Performance Reviews, Heidelberg guides the customer through the data and provides recommendations on how to improve output on an ongoing basis. During an on-site evaluation, current procedures are reviewed and opportunities for operational excellence are uncovered. Finally, a customized program is designed that determines savings potential and a project plan for implementation. With these services, every customer can quickly benchmark individual operational performance and determine future potential.
Performance Plus Projects
When the goal is to optimize an entire production sequence, Heidelberg offers Performance Plus, a “measureable” consulting approach that helps printers increase profits either by lowering costs per job produced, or by achieving a higher total output per hour. “Measurable” means that results are benchmarked by the dollars and cents of a target amount that Heidelberg and the customer agree to when the Performance Plus consultation begins. After examining all data, plant characteristics and operator performance, Heidelberg experts work with the customer to develop a business case that calculates achievable savings and identifies ways to make them continuous. Only when the customer pockets the savings does Heidelberg collect a percentage of the target amount as its consulting fee. For example, as of 2015, 10 Performance Plus consultations were in progress in the U.S. Average project duration was 12 months, over the course of which 1,000 to 2,000 production hours per project were saved. Achieved savings per project ranged from $100,000 to $500,000 per year. One particular site marked its best performing month ever, with a 70% increase in productivity!
