For the operator, production planner, line manager and plant manager, the Line Management System (LMS) makes order-related information available in a concise manner and thus ensures the utmost transparency for all areas of the filling and packaging lines.

The LMS provides the following functions:

• interface for the exchange of order-related and material master data with the ERP system and the WMS
• material flow control
• automatic creation of partial jobs
• interface towards connected machines, printers, scanners and labeling machines
• visualization
• data analyses, reporting
• OEE analyses

Since the LMS is connected to the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) level via an interface, it enables the automatic entry of orders, provides access to material master data and enables e.g. the creation of procurement orders. In addition, the LMS ensures that all data created at the production level is fed back to the ERP level. The entire procurement and logistic planning, along with the process control, packaging material management and machine control, can be represented on a consistent user interface. Furthermore, the LMS automatically compresses and visualizes data - specifically oriented to the requirements of the different decision levels, including the operator, merchandise planner, line manager and plant manager.

Packaging orders are entered in the LMS via an order list. Combined with the information collected in the production data acquisition system, the operator is provided with an overview of the current status of production planning and material provision.

In addition, the LMS serves for the time-controlled sequencing of orders on the preparation lines in order to ensure the adequate supply of the packaging lines.

For the warehouseman, the Packaging Material Management visualizes and specifies what quantities of which packaging material is available or required.

Along with the monitoring of the packaging and filling processing, the management of packaging materials and the tracing and minimization of scrap is a further centralized LMS functionality. Packaging Material Management is a core prerequisite for tackling the following tasks:

• Provision of the packaging material
• Automatic detection which line is short of packaging material and request for supply
• Request for material replenishment considering the actual speed of consumption in addition to the residual quantity
• Control of material provision processes based on the specifications transmitted by the system to the operating personnel in order to ensure that the right material is supplied to the right line

Along with an order-related view, the operator is also provided with a material-related view. This approach ensures e.g. that orders for which the same type of packaging material is required are actually processed one after the other, i.e. without any additional and inefficient material movements, on a line. In addition, orders for the procurement of consumption materials can be placed independently of any order relation defined, e.g. for adhesive tape or gloves .

For employees of the different decision levels, the LMS makes data available in a compact manner. Operators working on the line, employees responsible for the provision of packaging materials, production and shift planners, line managers and plant managers have access to the information required for their specific tasks.  On this basis, it is possible to compare the capacity utilization on the different lines and also the compliance with performance characteristics, e.g. using OEE analyses.