Articles

Barcodes are still scanned over 6 billion times daily, but as the demand for more information grows, many industries are beginning to adopt 2D codes for product packaging. The transition from 1D barcodes to the GS1 Digital Link, a 2D coding system intended to replace barcodes by 2027, aims to enhance information, improve supply chain transparency and provide detailed product information.

Over the past two decades, significant steps have been taken to modernize the supply chain resulting in significant cost reduction and increased productivity. It is expected that these modernization trends will intensify over the next five years and that the supply chain will evolve into an significant source of added value for businesses. The catalyst is the technologies that can be adapted to all business sizes.

Food and consumer product safety is the most decisive factor for consumers when making product choices. Businesses involved in production, storage, distribution, and sale must adhere to strict regulations to ensure that their products reach the final consumer in the proper condition, while consumers increasingly demand more information about the safety of these products.

It is a fact that Industry 4.0 offers a unique development opportunity for industrial, and not only, businesses. It is a reality and it is here to bring the future. Our long-term engagement with industrial digital transformation shows us that most Greek industries seem to understand the basic principles and technologies of Industry 4.0. But there is quite a lag in understanding how to properly use them to meet their needs.

It is a fact that there is a lot of information about the new industrial revolution and the technologies that support it. Knowledge of these technologies is essential for industry executives who are responsible for developing strategies for integrating digital transformation. The question, of course, is how technologies lead to applications that provide real solutions to the problems facing the industry.

In this article we present the current developments in the two central technologies of the new industrial revolution: the industrial robotics and the new industrial automation. We also give some suggestions on how any industrial enterprise, large or small and medium, could develop a workable strategy for integrating new technologies into its production process.

Product packaging is a central priority of every industrial enterprise. This is because, during this critical phase, the product is prepared for its journey through the supply chain and is presented in a way that appeals to the final consumer. In this article, we look at the trends that are impacting packaging and highlight the innovative technologies designed to address the evolving needs of the industry.

The Theodorou Group developed the Tracer Factory suite to address the need for real-time monitoring, control, and assurance of quality, productivity, and safety in factories. The Tracer Factory suite can be integrated with other information systems within the factory, but its primary capability is to connect and interact with a wide range of equipment on the production floor (shop floor).

The final segment of packaging lines (End-of-Line) is ideally suited for the application of new automation technologies (Connected Automation). The End-of-Line is the critical intersection point for primary packaging, supply chain, and operational information systems. The Theodorou Group has developed the MEL system, which provides a solution for automating the End-of-Line.

The C-19 pandemic is an exceptionally significant challenge, with wide-ranging impacts on public health, the economy, and individual businesses. It has fundamentally altered the way we interact with friends or colleagues at home, in the office, and within factories. It has transformed how businesses operate and the new conditions created pose a considerable challenge for planning the future.

In this article, we introduce the concept of Connected Automation as the next evolution of classical industrial automation. We examine the new structures of Connected Automation, the technologies involved, its various applications, and the opportunities it offers for enhancing operational efficiency. Finally, we provide a comprehensive practical guide for developing effective implementation strategies.