Cloud Connect module, a platform for collaborative package design

Esko is a global provider of integrated software and hardware solutions that accelerate the go-to-market process of packaged goods. It has over 25,000 customers in more than 140 countries.

Challenge

ESKO provides a sophisticated packaging platform that enables customers in different parts of the world to collaborate and create a product. For example, a bottled water manufacturer can organize the production of labels in Belgium, and bottles in China, while the final product can be assembled in some third country.

ESKO needed an integrative software system that would allow communication between different kinds of software in different companies and translate them into one system.

They required an IT partner who could create the integration system. The system would take the data from one side and turn it into readable, relevant info that could be easily used by another side so that all parties (ESKO and their clients and partners) in the production process know every aspect of the order at a given moment.

Solution

In collaboration with ESKO, we have created a Cloud Connect module. It is an integration service that allows communication and information exchange between the client’s operating system and ESKO.

With this solution, ESKO and their clients’ could have a single communication point, so that all partners in the process of packaging could see the current status of their orders. This module allowed data exchange between different parties in the process of product manufacture.

‍

Project Process

After completion of the sales part of the contract, we had a project Kickoff meeting where our team and ESKO’s got introduced. Our team consisted of 6 people, and the product owner and a few assistants came from Esko's side.

Before this meeting, we received Project Initiation Checklist that was filled out during the sales process. This document specified all the important points of the project, with desired outcomes of every stage and the people responsible for each step of the project.

During the kick-off meeting, we defined the main goals of the project. We chose the SCRUM methodology for this project.

We defined who was the project owner, team lead, development team, sprint intervals, and ceremonies, as well as our expectations from people in different roles and what we will do in each ceremony.

The next step was documentation analysis and knowledge transfer. The client sent all the necessary documents and links and our team had enough time to prepare questions.

After that, we had a proof of concept phase. We completed a small project together, in order to get to know the palette of ESKO’s services that we would use later in the project. The ESKO’s team had a well-structured plan to integrate our team to better understand their software.

With such clearly and carefully set roles and goals, the team could cooperate smoothly from the very beginning until the end of the project. This was a great example of the importance of having a clear procedure for software development and integration with clients because they immensely help cooperation and impact project results.

‍

Results/Effects

The project Cloud connect module had this main goal:

Development of the first version of a Cloud Connect module which converts information from ESKOs system into information understood by external systems.

With the Cloud connect module we created, ESKO’s clients were able to make orders and check status of their orders. The information regarding the order would later be transferred to the Esko packaging software. The system allowed communication in both ways.

Our teams had an excellent experience working together. ESKO had confidence in our team’s ability during the project. We had clearly set a framework on one side, and autonomy to work freely on the other side, which was mutually beneficial for both our companies.

We have completed the Cloud connect module in stages. The project lasted a little longer than a year to complete.

‍