Case History | RuleDesigner project for the configuration of complex machines | Koenig & Bauer Flexotechnics
#Configurator #CPQ #DigitalSales #LowCode #NoCode #CompanyDigitalTwin
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Koenig & Bauer Flexotecnica
Overview
Koenig & Bauer Flexotecnica S.p.A. is based in Tavazzano, near Milan, Italy, and develops, assembles, sells and services modern flexo CI presses for printing on paper, plastic and other flexible packaging materials.Koenig & Bauer, founded in 1817, is one of the oldest companies in Europe.
The group has a turnover of 1100 million, 5400 employees worldwide and over 230 sales facilities on every continent and 10 production sites.
Areas of application are food packaging, pouches and bags, medical packaging, labels, industrial bags, barrier films for special applications, packaging for detergents, cosmetics, personal hygiene, packaging for animal food, containers for milk or other liquids in general, containers for transporting bottles, fruit, or other display merchandise, glasses, and cardboard trays for food.
1.100
Mln Turnover
5400
Employees worldwide
230
Commercial facilities
10
Manufacturing Sites
THE PROJECT
RuleDesigner | The Configurator Project in Koenig & Bauer Flexotecnica
The Flexo Business Unit builds central drum flexo machines and in specific these machines print on flexible packaging. These are machines, or rather complex systems, which can be divided into sub-systems that then form the main machine.
This is an important aspect to take into account in this context because in order to arrive at the definition of a bid configurator, it is necessary to make an accurate analysis of the product to see how to deconstruct the machine product into simpler elements that can be traced back to a univocal description and above all to a univocal cost structure.
The first approach to the configurator offered at Koenig & Bauer took place in 2015. At that time, the need was to have an automatic and semi-automatic system to produce offers, which mainly consisted of commercial texts, according to company guidelines. Anyone who has worked in sales management knows that the tendency of every salesman is to build his own offer and customise it to his liking, while large groups also want to standardise and present themselves on the market with a uniform layout and content. There is therefore a marketing aspect but also a substantial aspect, because contacts with large customer groups are frequent, so it is common to have to make a similar offer in different countries.
The Product Configurator at Koenig & Bauer is applied across multiple product families to generate multiple types of documents in multiple languages to support various business functions and calculate costs and margins.
FEATURES
Management of multiple product families
Standard presses, presses with a special type of UV curing and presses with inline units
Cost/price tables with calculation of contribution margin, gross margin and EBIT
Automatic production of contracts, cost and price tables with calculation of contribution margin, gross margin and EBIT that allows real-time forecasting of what may be a summary of direct installation costs for controllers who want this document annually
Automated document generation
Multiple document types from offers to contracts can be generated automatically
Linguistic Localization
Translating both the offer texts and the operator interface in the main languages (French, German, English and Spanish
Special Parts Management
Possibility of managing the so-called ‘in-line elements’, i.e. special parts installed in line with the main machine with which they form a single production line
Offer customization management
Possibility of managing parts of the offer in a ‘customized’ manner by inserting texts and related costs
Cost and margin calculation
Generate Excel sheets structured in order to provide information on costs and margins to be used as working/monitoring tools not only by the sales department but also by management, administration, cost control and technical department
World-wide use of the Configurator
Possibility of using the Configurator anywhere in the world via Internet connection, in compliance with the Group’s security procedures
BOM comparison
It is possible to select a number of offers and obtain an excel document that compares the BOMs and also provides individual item quantities for forecasting purposes for both the technical department and the purchasing department. In this way it is possible to determine which components are used most in the purchasing forecast and evaluate how to manage material stocks and purchasing policies
Data Sheet
Data Sheet generation which is a basic document that PMs use in kick-off meetings
Workflow and security
Creation of a step-by-step process to follow the evolution of the offer and set steps that may be subject to authorisation
Easier maintenance of configurator rules
Increased simplicity and flexibility in modifying the structure of the configurator itself
CHALLENGES
Complete and autonomous maintenance of the knowledge base.
From Low-code to No-code approach
KBA’s requirement in setting up the product configurator was to create a flexible architecture that could grow with its needs and embrace a lean approach to the deployment project. The aim was to be able to maintain the rule system in complete autonomy by extending the use of the configurator to all product families.
Thanks to the RuleDesigner Application Builder framework, it was possible to transfer almost all of the creation, editing and updating work to Koenig & Bauer’s knowledge process managers, relieving the customer company from the need of technical interventions by the RuleDesigner team.
The underlying no-code approach allowed to expand the potential of the configurator to create complex offerings in a relatively simple and guided way that also include inline elements to the main machine and commercial components such as reel holders, die cutters and sheeters.
“The introduction of the No-Code approach has enabled easier and more flexible management of the configurator. For me it was a real revolution because I went from having to depend on the supplier for any changes to implementing and testing the changes myself.”
Ing. Giovanni OstacchiniTechnical Sales Manager
TECHNOLOGY KEY POINTS
Configurable and Adaptable
RuleDesigner is a highly configurable system and therefore adaptable to multiple and changing operational contexts; it allows you to take advantage of using a standard product while enjoying all the benefits of a customized configuration. Unlike highly customized systems, it allows companies to benefit from software updates and upgrades with the certainty of an infrastructure that is always up-to-date and in line with the latest technological developments.
Scalable and functionally extensible
RuleDesigner includes several modules that can be implemented individually or in synergy with each other. Functional scope and modular structure make it an extremely scalable solution that can be implemented step by step with a forward-looking vision of the digitalisation path.
Low-code framework
Equipped with a powerful configurator (native low-code / no-code framework), it allows applications that extend the functional scope to be realised autonomously or in collaboration. In particular, prototypes and procedures for the configuration and automation of processes can be rapidly realised, extending the scope of the platform itself.
What skills are necessary to autonomously create a Product Configurator with RuleDesigner?
Some figures of the Configurator at Koenig & Bauer today
1.000
Projects entered since 2020
10.000
User interface texts in 5 languages
4.000
Sales id in 5 languages
”The configurator is today an irreplaceable working tool for our sales structure.
Ing. Giovanni OstacchiniTechnical Sales Manager
DID A LIGHT BULB GO ON IN YOUR HEAD?
Learn with us how you could use RuleDesigner Configurator for the digital transformation of your company.
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