Bobst and ei³ announce Mobile Portal

The new Mobile Portal app puts critical production data in the hands of manufacturing leaders, enabling real-time machine monitoring from anywhere in the world via smartphones and tablets.

Bobst and ei³ have introduced the Mobile Portal, an innovative application designed specifically for busy manufacturing managers and executives. The app remotely monitors machines and displays key production data, creating awareness about operations whether the production floor is in the next room or on the other side of the world.

"Being the first major machine supplier in the packaging industry to offer this type of remote monitoring demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with innovation and excellence in services."

Stephan Maerz, Head of Business Unit Services at Bobst

Extending cloud capabilities to mobile devices

Mobile Portal builds upon Bobst's existing Internet service called Connect Portal, which is based on remotely monitoring machines and securely storing data in the cloud. This platform utilizes highly secure Internet technologies to track production and benchmark performance.

"People are used to banking and buying things online, even storing sales contacts, so it's easy to explain the value of storing machine data in the cloud. All the same benefits of convenience, back-up, and strong security apply."

Massimo Ardito, Service Products Portfolio Manager at Bobst

Key features that drive production efficiency

The Mobile Portal delivers several powerful capabilities:

• Clear and attractive machine displays with real-time metrics

• Instant visibility of speed, production, and material produced

• Implementation of OEE (Operational Equipment Effectiveness) – a Lean Manufacturing best practice – providing a high-level view of each machine's performance

• Access to Bobst's advanced applications, including remote monitoring and downtime tracking

A powerful tool for global operations

"Having the convenience of viewing machine productivity in plants around the world is a powerful game-changing technology that makes the Mobile Portal a very powerful tool to promote efficient production."

Raphael Indermuehle, Business Unit Services Head of Sales and Marketing at Bobst

Bobst machines are now being shipped fully compatible with Mobile Portal, and solutions are available for older machines to integrate with the system.

The Mobile Portal was developed in collaboration with ei³ Corporation of Montvale, NJ, combining Bobst's packaging industry expertise with ei³'s remote monitoring technology.

The image above shows Bobst CEO Jean-Pascal Bobst and ei³ CEO Spencer Cramer introducing the Mobile Portal