New MillTools 2.0 MES goes live at GPI in East Angus, Quebec

MillTools goes live at GPI East Angus

East Angus, Quebec  –  Paper packaging manufacturer Graphic Packaging International (GPI) shipped loads of paper, thanks to the first complete implementation of the new Panther Systems MillTools 2.0 suite at the company’s paper mill in East Angus, Quebec on October 22, 2019.

“This install represents years of development and cooperation with Panther customers to re-imagine MillTools and empower paper mills to become true factories of the future,” said Rich Gillespie, Vice President, Sales and Marketing

The manufacturing execution system (MES) at the French Canadian paper mill is the first production release of the completely reinvented MES software suite. This new system allows Panther’s customers to operate multiple manufacturing facilities, using the same shop floor software tools, customer facing documents and reporting for seamless manufacturing intelligence in virtually any language. As a result, technical managers, mill managers and executives can analyze quality and production data anywhere in the world to make decisions that enhance quality, productivity, communication, training and safety.

Previously, MillTools made a name for itself by combining quality data with finished goods tracking and shipping. Consequently, Panther’s experience in North America, Australia and Eastern Europe fueled Panther’s ambition to develop new software with global benefits.

Transforming MES forever

Panther’s ambitious project to modernize the MillTools achieves mission-critical objectives:

  • Ensure longevity and planned innovation of MillTools for years to come
  • Retain critical functionality for pulp, paper and nonwoven manufacturers using existing Panther production databases
  • Provide true localization capability to operate mills in nearly any language
  • Create graphic user interfaces that world on touchscreens and mobile devices
  • Enable customers to operate factories of the future using Panther’s manufacturing execution systems, quality control systems and manufacturing intelligence solutions

New products and approaches

As a result, the new MillTools 2.0 delivers office and shop floor applications with a host of innovations in one integrated software portal. With visionary plans for the future, Panther spun up a new UI/UX team, who develops cutting-edge graphical user interfaces, proliferates new standards for style and rolled out an improved user experience, based on exhaustive research, testing and customer feedback.

Through these efforts, the software company established new standards for front-end applications and software interfaces, while preserving database structure. Panther went a step further by refining the company’s agile software development model to accelerate development of its products.

These improvements allow MillTools 2.0 to assume a central role in Industry 4.0 manufacturing environments. Mills and converting facilities can leverage Panther’s mobile/touchscreen devices and machine automation on shop floors, where people and machines work together for data-driven smart manufacturing.

About Panther Systems

Established in 1993, Panther Systems is heralded by pulp and paper experts as the leading provider of manufacturing execution, quality control, process analysis and other manufacturing intelligence systems. Visit panthersys.com for information or call 360-750-9783.