Day: 10 May 2019

Innserve, specialists in the supply, installation and maintenance of beer and soft drinks dispense systems, is rolling out Panasonic TOUGHBOOK L1 Android tablets to its 400 technicians across the UK.

The company chose the devices for their rugged and ergonomic design, alongside Panasonic’s commitment to supporting the latest Android operating systems and its comprehensive service and maintenance offering.

Innserve is the major provider of drinks dispensing in the UK. Its maintenance and installation technicians service more than 80,000 licensed and non licensed premises across England, Scotland and Wales. The company has used Panasonic TOUGHBOOK devices for many years and was impressed with the latest TOUGHBOOK L1 Android tablet.

“We require rugged Android devices that are functional, reliable and competitively priced,” said Kieran Delaney, Innserve’s Director of IT. “But it is not just the device, it’s the service and maintenance that comes with it that is critical to the running of our operation. In addition, because we develop all our own desktop and mobile applications, ongoing support for future versions of Android is incredibly important to us to ensure we can continue to take advantage of future innovations.”

Panasonic offers its Android customers specialist Android support through Panasonic COMPASS, its market-leading suite of enterprise management tools for Panasonic TOUGHBOOK rugged tablets and handheld devices running the Android operating system. The latest additions to the Complete Android Services and Security package include a new proprietary rapid configuration tool “PARC”, enhanced security support for up to 3 years after product end of life and can be extended for up to 5 years, including support through OS transition where applicable., as well as a Mobile Enterprise Application Platform and an application submission portal to certify new applications for devices.

To ensure the workforce always has the right tools for the job, Panasonic also maintains a Rapid Replacement stock for Innserve at its configuration and service centre in Cardiff and provides a 24 hour replacement service for devices that are damaged or stolen.

Innserve technicians will receive their daily schedule of 8-10 appointments a day, plan their journeys and record information about each job using the device. In addition, the TOUGHBOOK L1 tablet will be used to place orders for and return parts, as well as for email communications, to provide access to HR systems and payment information, and also to show customers the latest information and training videos.
 

In response to the mounting sustainability challenges facing manufacturers in the food industry, ULMA Packaging UK has announced the launch of the #ULMAweCare project.

Launched at the IFFA trade show in Frankfurt, the #ULMAweCare project demonstrates ULMA’s commitment to enhancing its sustainable credentials. The manufacturer of packing machinery is promoting the reduction of packaging and the use of recyclable materials throughout the process.

With the demand for plastic packaging expected to double in the next 20 years, and the packaging industry already using 40% of the plastics processed every year, finding a solution that minimises waste, and provides a sustainable alternative to plastic, has been a priority for the business.

ULMA has sought to advance sustainability through innovation with the introduction of a range of environmentally-friendly solutions. For instance, LeafSkinTM is a packaging solution that reduces plastics usage by up to 80% and is based on a 100% recyclable flat cardboard tray. Additionally, all of the materials are fully separable.

The sustainable packaging solutions highlighted at IFFA, included ULMA’s latest thermoforming machinery. One such example is the TFS 200 MSV (above) which is compatible with MAP, skin and vacuum processes, and is optimised for multiple applications with flexible and rigid plastic materials and some combinations of cardboard.

Chris Pickles, Managing Director of ULMA Packaging UK, commented, “The ‘Blue Planet’ effect has made reducing plastic packaging a hot topic within the food packing industry. Consumers are increasingly looking for reduced packaging and so the industry must innovate and develop new technologies.”