Production Preparation and Start-ups

CoLOS Message Design

At the early production preparation stage, CoLOS® Message Design supports you in designing complex messages for all printer technologies in one user-friendly interface using the full range of data field types.

Easy message design

• Design messages using one user interface for every field type supported by each printer: text, date, barcode, logo, and lines. Design wizards and on-screen error checking ensure perfect designs every time even for the most complex messages.
• Access all message designs from one central repository to ensure brand and layout consistency. The same repository can then be accessed by all other CoLOS applications.
• Use the GS1-128 AI wizard to create barcodes that are fully compliant with global standards for encoding critical product information.

Efficient preparation

• The simple image design features ensure that the correct information is sent each time.
• Once you have created your messages, the download wizard helps you send them to printer memory to be recalled later at production startup.
• Free-up operators to perform more value-added activities and reduce costs of manual entry and message data maintenance by 90%.

CoLOS Data Management

At the early production preparation stage, CoLOS® Data Management enables you to link fields on message designs to those in ERP master product tables and individual designs to many stock-keeping units (SKUs) while automatically populate messages with SKU data.

Less repetition and rework

• Link fields on message designs to those in ERP master product tables.
• Connect single message designs to many product SKUs to streamline the updating of designs – one change is reused over all attached SKUs.
• No need to copy data to local databases that can become out of date and difficult to manage.

Streamlined data management

• Using live master data removes the possibility of operators entering the wrong data or making typing errors.
• Populate image designs automatically using live central master data for stock-keeping units (SKU’s).
• CoLOS comes with an in-built data management system with simple data entry to internal production tables for situations where connection to external data sources is not required. It also enables to create product table from scratch when there is no access to a central product database.

To be used with CoLOS® Message Design application.

CoLOS Production Control

At production start-up, CoLOS® Production Control enables you to download complete production line jobs in one step from an easy-to-use operator interface or automatically from line control automation equipment.

Faster and easier start-ups

• Setup all the printers on a production line with the correct message and label using back-office systems in one single operation.
• Access all message designs anytime from one central repository and ensure brand and layout consistency.
• Connect to printers over Ethernet throughout the production facility and use terminals running CoLOS Operator Interface wherever needed.

Fully integrated solutions

• Select one correct job each time avoiding costly changeovers, resulting in fewer mistakes.
• Connect to upstream and downstream equipment to have fully automated production change-overs and equipment. Host systems can trigger in new production a number of ways including networked files, Ethernet messages and OPC interfaces.
• CoLOS Production User Interface can be run on touch-screen industrial terminals throughout the factory. Hand-held scanners can be connected to remove the problem of operators mistyping data.