Dickinson Press Choose Prism QTMS iQ

WILMINGTON, MA, January 00, 2007 — Dickinson Press, a leading high-quality book manufacturer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has selected Prism’s QTMS iQ intelligent network shop floor data capture system (SFDC) to provide real-time information that will significantly enhance production control of all sectors of its enterprise-wide operations. The QTMS iQ system, comprising machine monitoring modules and sensors, is being installed on all of Dickinson’s web and sheetfed presses and bindery lines.

Paul Heroman, vice president of operations for Dickinson Press, an engineer by education with extensive experience in systems and methodology, notes that the decision to install the QTMS iQ system was the result of an intensive analysis of several data collection technologies in the marketplace.

"My criteria was that the system had to be simple, accessible and understandable for the people on the shop floor and our customer service staff who would be using it every day," he says. "And yet from an analytical perspective, it had to contain the detail that would help us manage our business better. The technology also had to have the architecture for our future needs such as JDF compatibility. In every area of my criteria, QTMS iQ was hands above the others."

Heroman notes that he expects two primary benefits from the QTMS iQ system. First, Dickinson Press will be able to provide its customers with accurate, real time information about the status of their jobs in progress. Second, the company will have instantaneous data to analyze where operational downtime is at any point in the production flow. With that critical information supplied by QTMS, he will be able to isolate and solve problems quickly to optimize productivity.

"QTMS means we can get information as it’s happening," he says. "We’ll be able to determine immediately where we are on any job, and not try to predict its status by some sort of crystal ball or gut feel. The system give us gains in control over the entire process and is integral to the continuous improvement process we have in place at Dickinson Press."

He points out that the unique palette tracking capability of the QTMS iQ system also has critical importance for book production, a cornerstone of Dickinson’s business. The company is one of the largest producers of Bibles in the country. Many of the components of Bibles are printed in advance, but are not bound into finished books. Consequently, it is critical to have the ability to track palettes holding individual components so that when a customer orders Bible texts with specific covers, the components can be assembled quickly to meet expectations for both timely delivery and quantities.

Heroman observed that the ability of QTMS to measure paper usage, or yield, is another key feature that puts the system well ahead of its competition. "Prism has incorporated a device into the system that measures paper as it is being fed into the press. I can know what’s going into the press and what’s coming out. The other systems we looked at all try to do it, but QTMS actually accomplishes it."

Training has already started for the Dickinson workforce that will be working directly with QTMS on the shop floor. "We have a very involved, dedicated workforce here," Heroman noted. "Their response has been great. They recognized immediately that QTMS methodology makes it easier and much faster to input data into our MIS system."

He observed that the Prism organization has been a tremendously supportive partner throughout the entire planning, training and implementation phases. Underscoring their responsiveness, he cited a situation following a training session. Dickinson operators posed 25 probing technical questions about QTMS to Prism, and received all the answers, with full explanations, in just a few hours.

Installation of QTMS on Dickinson presses is currently under way. The company will have the system operational on 90% of its main line hardware, presses and binders, by the end of February. Installation on smaller equipment will be completed by April. Heroman says that from the start, when he did the research on shop floor data collection systems, his intent was to have universal data collection within the entire Dickinson facility. It represents a major commitment for the company, and he has the enthusiastic support of the technology from Dickinson’s Board of Directors. It represents a major advance that will further differentiate the company from its competitors. "I want to get the best return on our investments in new technology and I want to get it as quickly as I can," Heroman says. "I fully expect to get it from QTMS."

Leland Morgan, GM of Prism-USA, stated, "Dickinson Press is an innovative company that through the years has embraced new technologies to serve its customers. We’re very pleased to have the opportunity to be a part of their advance into intelligent networked shop floor data capture. We’re looking forward to a long, productive relationship with the company."

Introduced in 2006, QTMS iQ is a modular system with more "intelligence" and user friendly features, and new pallet-tracking modules using TCP/IP technology. The system provides an extraordinary level of highly accurate business management information and control to keep profitability and operational performance clearly in sight at every stage of production. QTMS iQ and all other Prism MIS solutions support the JDF standard.

About Dickinson Press

Established in 1884, Dickinson Press is a nationally acclaimed book manufacturer, specializing in trade hardcover and softcover books, Bibles, New Testaments, dictionaries, compact or mini-books and educational workbooks for religious and secular publishers. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company today has more than 125 employees, operating state-of-the-art equipment, including web and sheetfed presses and fully automated high-speed book binders in a modern 123,500 square-foot facility. With a long history of innovation, Dickinson Press was the first company to successfully print on the thinnest Bible paper in the United States. For additional information, visit the company’s website at dickinsonpress.com.

JDF is a trademark of the CIP4 Organization.