Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/733311
24 October 2016 Tablets & Capsules neering, capital equipment, and tech- nology needed to devise and imple- ment serialization solutions. In fact, we've installed solutions on 750 pro- duction lines in 140 plants worldwide, with more than 5 billion SKUs serial- ized, aggregated, shipped, and notified using our systems and equipment. One example is a well-known con- tract packager based in Philadelphia, PA. This customer selected us after evaluating several other serialization equipment providers and integrators as candidates to upgrade its global plat- form. Modularity and flexibility were the key factors, and the contract pack- ager selected its largest operation cen- ter, in Illinois, for the first installation. Today, that site has successfully inte- grated our technologies into its high- speed, automated, and multi-step packaging lines. It also uses our equip- ment as an à la carte solution to handle packages of various sizes and configu- rations. This successful implementa- tion provides a robust platform for additional installations both at the company's North American headquar- ters and at several sites in Europe. Benefits for all Don't let the mad rush to imple- ment serialization blind you to the ultimate goal: the greater good. That's why, as government, industry, and vendors drive track and trace forward, you and your colleagues are right to press vendors to deliver solutions that minimize the impact on operational efficiency and SOPs. Seek vendors that are ready and able to develop unique solutions to satisfy your spe- cific needs. At the same time, make sure your investment in serialization pays off. By complying with government regula- tions, you should eventually recoup the costs as losses from counterfeiting decrease, your visibility in the supply chain improves, and user feedback turns positive. In due time, the effort you make today will more than pay for itself through better business efficien- cies, consumer safety, and customer satisfaction. T&C Andrew Pietrangelo is president, North America, of Antares Vision, 500 Atrium Way, Suite 3, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054. Tel. 856 780 3465. Website: www.anta resvision.com. The company offers hard- ware and software of its own and in part- nership with technology vendors, including enterprise application suppliers, packaging OEMs, software and communication experts, and manufacturers of cameras, printers, and labelers. Figure1 Levels of serialization Governmental Regulatory agencies External supply chain Corporate ERP Interface tracking system GTS Plant site manager Production lines Serialization Serialization of cartons and bottles Bundle aggregation Case aggregation Pallet aggregation Rework shipment, pick and pack recall Aggregation Warehouse management systems Warehouse and shipment manager WTS Stations and terminals Corporate EPCIS Notification tracking system Plant site database Site database STS Automatic aggregation HTS Semi-automatic aggregation PTS Manual aggregation MTS Line manager Corporate Level 4 Plant site Level 3 Production line Level 2 Devices Level 1