With immediate effect, the international folding boxboard database of the FFI e.V. (FFI) is open for data entry by carton manufacturers. (FFI) is now open for data entry by cartonboard manufacturers. Carton manufacturers are thus invited to enter data on their products into the database. The database will be activated for users after a data entry phase of about five weeks.
CENTRAL ONLINE DATABASE WITH TECHNICAL DATA AND CERTIFICATES
Manufacturers of folding boxboard can now enter their products with the corresponding technical data, technical data sheets, certificates and, if applicable, food safety certificates into the central online database, which is available in German and English. The certificates include, for example, hygiene, energy and forestry management certificates.
In addition to certificate management, the cartonboard database also offers various research and comparison options. For example, cartonboard products can be searched for and filtered according to various technical parameters such as cartonboard grade, basis weight, bending stiffness, thickness, moisture, whiteness, smoothness, volume, sensory properties, barrier, etc. and compared according to central parameters in graphical evaluations. The database also offers the user various options for saving searches and comparisons that have been carried out and for creating their own favourites.
The carton producers are constantly reminded to keep their own data records up to date by automated maintenance requests with follow-up (secure replenishment). In addition, users are automatically informed by the system about changes to data records or updated certificates (product change notification).
OPTIMISED SUPPLY CHAIN EFFORTS
The central online database considerably reduces the supply chain effort. Until now, folding carton manufacturers have managed the certificates of carton makers in individual analogue archives or digital, decentralised databases. This is done with considerable administrative effort in their purchasing organisations, in research and development or in quality assurance, in order to be able to show proof of the up-to-dateness of the certificates in customer audits or quality certifications.
A central carton database not only reduces administration costs for folding carton manufacturers, but carton manufacturers also benefit when they only have to enter updated documents or technical data once in a central database instead of having to send them hundreds of times to their customers at home and abroad or provide them on request. The central carton database is thus a significant contribution to reducing supply chain costs in the cartonboard and folding carton industry.
DATABASE MEETS LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Since the carton database was not only designed for folding carton manufacturers as users, but also to serve as a highly useful information tool for the carton manufacturers who enter the data, the implementation was preceded by a comprehensive legal examination with legal advice. In particular, the database was checked for competition law and copyright issues before the "green light" was given for the commissioning of the programming. The database therefore does not contain any data relevant to business management or calculation, such as prices, general terms and conditions, delivery times or stock levels, nor does it contain any information that has been bilaterally agreed between two partners (carton producer, folding box manufacturer). In addition, no claims under trademark law are jeopardised.
NON-MEMBERS CAN ALSO USE THE CARTON DATABASE
The carton database is a valuable addition to the FFI product and service portfolio and offers folding carton manufacturers and carton producers significant added value. In addition to full access after a one-time registration and password-protected login for FFI members and members of other national folding carton associations, the basic functions of the database can also be used by non-members of the FFI. This measure underlines the added value for participating carton manufacturers, as they do not have to send certificates to non-members in parallel to certificate management in the central database.
FFI PROMOTES LIVE DEMO TO CARTON MANUFACTURERS
The programming, which was carried out by the Swiss IT company brandkitchen and nord.digital on behalf of the FFI, has been completed, as has a beta test with dummy data to evaluate the designed functionalities and user-friendliness. The carton manufacturers also had the opportunity to participate in a first live demonstration. Accompanying the current phase of data input by the cartonboard producers, introductory videos for the database are available in English as well as in German.
www.ffi.de
