Having the proper MIS solution in place is critical for a label converter. CERM MIS has always been about integrating workflows and business automation because true productivity leads to producing more orders, better and faster. The label and packaging printing industry is characterized by repeat jobs and recurring orders and automating repetitive tasks, which means improving efficiency is key.

L&NW recently spoke with Sebastiaan Hermans, marketing manager, CERM, to learn about the company’s centralized system that connects all different elements of a label printer’s workflow, streamlining them from CRM to estimating to production to the final invoicing process.

L&NW: What makes CERM MIS such a good fit for the label & packaging printing industry?
SH: From the very beginning, our CERM MIS is developed to be industry-specific. All features and modules are based on a standard workflow all label printers or packaging converters maintain when processing their sales orders. On top of that, we play a centralizing role within your complete workflow. CERM MIS brings all your operating and third-party software systems together in one interactive framework that’s more than just the sum of its parts. To do so, we have created off-the-shelf standardized partner integrations with many suppliers in the label and packaging printing industry. We have bi-directional data exchange with all elements of your business, so we can align and automate your complete production process – improving productivity by 30% or more.

L&NW: How do you anticipate new technologies and the ever-changing landscape of the printing industry?
SH: Scalability is the word. Nobody knows exactly what the future holds. But our CERM MIS is scalable, and it grows together with our customers. It is never a limiting factor.  On the contrary, we pride ourselves in being a big accelerant when our customers adapt to new technologies and processes. For example, Blue Label Packaging president Andrew Boyd said about our role in their journey: “CERM has allowed us to scale at a rate that is unmatched. From inventory management to color quality systems, CERM has always been there to support our growing needs.”

In addition, we release a new version update each six months. Those version releases tackle the demands of our customers and help us anticipate new functionalities. Since the CERM MIS Software is 100% subscription based, all our customers benefit from the latest updates and newest developments.

L&NW: At Labelexpo Americas 2024, you recently launched two new AI-powered products: an AI-scheduling solution and a support chatbot for customers. Can you tell us about them?
SH: The CERM Scheduling optimizer is our AI-scheduling tool for maximized efficiency. It manages long-term planning to provide the best scheduling solution based on constraint optimization and predefined parameters that are tailored to the customer’s needs. While its scheduling team focuses on day-to-day urgencies and short-term actions, they maintain control over the entire scheduling processes.

“Lumi” is our AI-support assistant and designed to help our customers get the most out of CERM MIS Software. Whether it’s troubleshooting complex workflows or onboarding new team members, Lumi delivers real-time support exactly when you need it. Designed to integrate seamlessly into CERM MIS Software, Lumi helps you navigate CERM MIS with ease and ensures that your business runs smoothly.

L&NW: How do you see the future for CERM and the label and packaging printing industry?
SH: New technologies and lots of change inevitably bring new dilemmas. It’s very important to have a strategic vision on the future role of your MIS. As an industrial printshop, you rely on all departments working together. Modern management systems focus on automating your workflow and optimizing your efficiency so you can process more orders faster and better.

Just as the printing industry embraces new technologies, our CERM MIS Software will continue to evolve. Today, cloud applications and browser based software improve user experience and reduce IT maintenance while AI technology empowers automated solutions that surpass human error.

We will continue to guide our customers through this transition by developing next-generation software. And by focusing on operational excellence, both on our side and our customers.