Eurofast

How Eurofast Group, an international specialist in fasteners and tools for construction and industry, centralized its worldwide labeling process with Loftware Cloud Business and a direct connection to Microsoft Dynamics NAV, based on real-time SQL data.

The challenge: centralization and data integrity across several locations

The Eurofast Group is a leading international player in fasteners, tools and technical solutions for construction and industry. With a strong focus on quality and customization, Eurofast supplies professionals in roofing and facade engineering and the solar energy sector worldwide. To support that worldwide distribution, the labeling process had to be modernized.

With several production locations and a broad product range, the need for one central management tool grew. Eurofast also wanted to move away from separate, locally managed label files and looked for a solution that:

• Integrates seamlessly with the ERP system Microsoft Dynamics Navision (NAV).
• Works from a single source of truth, with the software taking data directly from the SQL database.
• Can drive both industrial black-and-white labels and full-color branding labels.

The solution: Loftware Cloud Business with a hybrid hardware environment

Together, Giesbus and Eurofast chose a cloud-native approach. The core of the solution is Loftware Cloud Business, connected to high-quality equipment that combines industrial speed with the flexibility of color printing.

ERP integration with Dynamics NAV

The system generates all labels automatically from real-time data in the SQL database of Microsoft Dynamics NAV. This eliminates manual input and keeps errors to a minimum: item numbers, weights, batch codes and destination information come straight from the source.

Efficient industrial output

Eurofast uses three Novexx Solutions XLP 604 thermal transfer printers. These printers have an intelligent ribbon saving function, which keeps ribbon use on unprinted parts of the label to a minimum. This gives a noticeable saving on consumables and a more sustainable production process.

Visual distinction with color printing

For labels with color-coded information and branding, Loftware also drives an Epson ColorWorks CW-C6000 color label printer from the same environment. One central management tool drives both the industrial black-and-white printers and the full-color labels, without separate software or duplicate work.

The result: maximum control and scalability

Eurofast Group now has full control over the labeling process, from design to the shop floor. The connection with the ERP system brings three concrete benefits:

• More efficient management: one central environment for all locations, with no more separate files per production line or site.
• Scalability: for a new product or a new location, the system handles labeling right away according to company standards, without extra development work.
• Lower material costs: the ribbon saving function of the Novexx XLP 604 printers considerably reduces ribbon use.

This hybrid solution of durable Novexx XLP 604 hardware and flexible Epson color printing, centrally driven from Loftware Cloud Business, prepares Eurofast for further international growth.

Frequently asked questions about Loftware Cloud Business and Dynamics NAV

What is Loftware Cloud Business?

Loftware Cloud Business is the business edition of Loftware's cloud-based label software. In addition to central management of templates and data, Business offers more extensive options for automation, ERP integrations and multi-site rollout, suited to organizations with several production locations or international distribution. The software runs entirely in the browser.

How do you connect Loftware to Microsoft Dynamics NAV?

Loftware can retrieve real-time data from the Microsoft Dynamics NAV database through a direct SQL connection. As soon as a user creates or changes an item, batch or order in NAV, Loftware uses that data directly for the right label, without manual steps. For Eurofast Group, this means one source of truth and no risk of outdated or incorrect label data.

What is a ribbon saving function on a thermal transfer printer?

In thermal transfer printing, the printer uses a colored ribbon to apply the print to the label. A ribbon saving function makes the printer stop the ribbon when there is an unprinted area on the label, and advance it again as soon as there is something to print. On labels with a lot of white space, such as industrial barcode labels, this gives a considerable saving in ribbon use, usually 20 to 50 percent.

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Would you like to know more about this project, or how a connection between Loftware Cloud Business and your SQL environment can streamline your process? Contact Giesbus.

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