Insight Summary
Galley Solutions provides a cloud-based Culinary Resource Planning (CRP) platform. The platform allows food producers (e.g. restaurants, catering, institutional kitchens, etc.) to integrate all key elements of their business to run more efficiently, profitably, and consistently. As such, they provide a means for clients to easily and accurately label the food created. An integration with Loftware Cloud allows clients to take that labeling capability in Galley and extend it into industrial labeling equipment. This includes both industrial thermal and inkjet technologies as well as automated print and apply labeling and packaging systems. Some up-front planning can help clients best determine what technologies are best for a given situation.
Insight #1 – Leverage cloud printing technology
As a cloud-based CRP using the REST standard, Galley can allow users to take full advantage of the latest labeling technology. When integrated with Loftware, there are two general approaches the client can take:
- Cloud Printing – Print direct to a Cloud Printer (IoT registered device) using the Loftware Cloud. The Cloud Printer calls out to the Loftware Cloud to check for pending label jobs. Upon detecting a pending label for a particular printer, that printer then pulls that label job down from Loftware Cloud and prints it. The client does not need to create or maintain local device drivers.
Galley Cloud -> Loftware Cloud -> Printer
- LAN Printing – Print to any printer within a network using Loftware Proxy and Print Services. Loftware Cloud sends the print job down to the client’s LAN by sending it to the Loftware Proxy Service. The Loftware Proxy Service channels the print job to the Loftware Print Service. The Loftware Print Service then renders the print job in the correct printer language using local print drivers and routes it to the printer within the LAN.
Galley Cloud -> Loftware Cloud -> Loftware Proxy Service -> Printer
Not mutually exclusive, the client can deploy printers using both architectures at the same time. Thus, they optimize the architecture for each different printer and circumstance.
Insight #2 – Think about automation
For creating large quantities of meals, Loftware can be used with Galley Solutions to drive print jobs into semi-automated and fully automated packaging and labeling systems.
Print Applicators (aka Print & Apply): Companies like Concept Automation can add more speed and reduce errors by automating the printing and application of labels. Label jobs from Loftware can be sent to an industrial printer using the fastest and more reliable labeling technologies such as thermal transfer and industrial inkjet. Concept Automation can then fabricate an applicator that quickly peels the label and accurately places it on the packaging. This is often done using a conveyor that can run at high speeds.
Integrated Packaging and Label Printing: Companies like Platinum Packaging can take that automation a step farther by integrating a print applicator with packaging machinery itself. They can take meals produced in volume and put into tray sealer machines, for example, and integrate a print applicator so packaging and labeling happen all at the same time.
Insight #3 – Plan your labeling workflow
To get started, we recommend you create a labeling workflow to identify what software subscription, hardware, and setup services are required. Start with how the system would work in the ‘ideal world’. Usually this process is something like:
- Galley Solutions creates print job and sends it to Loftware Cloud via REST
- Loftware Cloud API receives print job, selects correct label design, creates label job, and routes to correct printer
- If printer is cloud enabled, that routing involves parking the label job in the cloud to wait for the cloud printer to pull it down and print the labels
- If the printer is not cloud enabled, the routing involves sending the label job down to a label proxy service
Often, clients will build a labeling system that supports both cloud-enabled printing and using the Loftware Label Proxy Service.
The basics you will need include:
- Subscription to Galley Solutions with services to configure label printing (setup services typically one time cost)
- Subscription to Loftware Cloud with Loftware Cloud API with services to configure the integration (setup services typically one time cost)
- A PC or server with Loftware services and network and USB printers installed.
- Printers, print applicators, and/or fully integrated packing and labeling machine
EBI can assist you with labeling workflow planning, estimating costs for Loftware subscription and hardware, as well as assistance with setup, implementation, and long-term support for your labeling system.