Really just about anything. Machines of all makes, models and vintages can connect to AMP, often in less than a day. Some will require simple gateway hardware, while some can connect directly via software. AMP was built for easy and secure connectivity based upon the global industry protocols for IoT (the Internet of Things). The AMP team has partnerships with many leading machine makers (OEMs) and can assist you in making this process quick and easy.

Yes. In fact, most of the context of your live data comes from software platforms you already have. Software like ERP, MIS and Workflow platforms can connect to AMP in most cases very easily through existing APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) or communication standards such as JDF/JML. Additional licenses and connection software may be required in some cases, but the technical part is very straightforward. The AMP team can assist on a case-by-case basis to connect your software rapidly.

Yes, in fact your production machine data merged in real time with connected sub-systems enriches and expands the insights about your process. Many sub-systems, such as UV curing and drying, inspection cameras, corona treaters, ink dispensing systems, coating supply systems, chillers, recirculators, washing systems and other accessories have more to do with your process quality than your machine itself. Essentially, anything with a control program connected to your machine that contains data can integrate to AMP.

Yes. AMP was designed to ingest live data from just about anything using low-code industrial IoT (Internet of Things) protocols, such as MQTT and JSON. If you have something you want to measure on your machine to create a competitive advantage or solve a process consistency issue, the AMP device team can assist you in most cases very quickly.

AMP’s strength is connecting data from disparate systems across the factory floor. If a different software is preferred for production monitoring, AMP can easily feed that system with additional data from the hardware it connects with. Conversely, AMP has many analytic and expansion capabilities that can be used with data generated from your current system, so augmenting and building on top of existing monitoring systems is easy to do and will produce the most feature-rich toolset. Furthermore, AMP can be used to simplify a complex entanglement of existing software integrations and remove the liability of home-built production monitoring solutions. Because AMP can connect to many different types of systems and is managed externally, it will likely have a decreased IT overhead compared to the existing software systems.

No! AMP’s interface is simple and intuitive. Built specifically for the printing, packing, and converting industries, you will find familiar elements of printing presses and process-specific language. AMP can be used successfully with minimal training, but also has powerful capabilities to maximize the impact of your data. Users can be assigned roles with granular permissions so they have access to as few or as many tools as desired. For those seeking a more hands-off experience, AMP Rules can be created around different process conditions so AMP will send alerts (via email or text/SMS) with all relevant information when an event occurs.

If AMP is not needed for improving machine utilization, it is still useful for a variety of other process enhancements. For example:

Quality assurance and process stability for waste reduction, end customer reporting and to track and drive internal improvements.

Increased visibility into a job’s process parameters, live status and workflow, as well as augmenting your existing scheduling process.

Performance comparisons between machines, operators, substrates, inks, coatings, jobs, defect rates, etc.

Energy and waste monitoring and reduction in support of sustainability goals.

Live notifications based on real-time data regarding preemptive maintenance, consumable usage, and other anomalies that would otherwise interrupt normal production.

Cyber security is always evolving, but in short, “no”. AMP only receives data from edge systems and will not send data back. This greatly reduces the risk of AMP being used as a vector for penetration. The AMP team also takes significant precautions with automated security scanning on multiple levels of infrastructure used throughout the platform. Further, AMP is backed by a significant investment in hyper-cloud IT security through its investment partnerships.