The company's Efficiency Improvement Tool (EIT) 5.0 is designed to be used for collecting data about plant floor packaging processes and performance.
"Like prior versions, the new system offers reliability, relevancy, standardisation and insight into production," Sidel stated.
"Enhancements in EIT 5.0 ensure optimal usability, interoperability, flexibility, scalability and visibility."
EIT was developed in 1996.
The software has evolved into a production efficiency tool that can be used by customers operating either Sidel's packaging and filling equipment, or those made by other manufacturers.
The EIT system is used to gathers production data round the clock, providing a wide array of metrics to help users analyze production issues, better fine-tune the line, reduce unplanned downtime, improve working methods and schedule maintenance.
The ultimate aim is to increase the plant's output.
The software is designed to incorporate various manufacturing execution system functions.
Various modules address different operational issues, such as efficiency increase, quality control, waste reduction and benchmark analysis.
Tracking production events, detailing unplanned downtime, and allowing managers to view a wide range of operational key performance indicators (KPIs).
The system's analysis methodology is based on packaging line design principles, Sidel stated.
"We know first-hand that ordinary data comparisons are insufficient to pinpoint production issues," Sidel stated.
"The actionable intelligence provided by EIT helps put the plant's output on the fast track and enables real-time decision making."
Once the software identifies high-priority issues and inefficient production, it then measures machine downtime impact, down to the fault level, on the line's efficiency loss.
"The results enable plant personnel to target quick wins, implement curative actions, and develop proactive measures," Sidel claimed.
"What usually requires time and skilled analysis by productivity engineers is now available to plant personnel in real time and in a very visual, intuitive format."
The new EIT now has increased flexibility for customising reports, integrating end-users specifications and interfacing with enterprise resource planning software and legacy systems, Sidel claimed.
Sidel plans to ofer a role-based feature to the reporting module to further tailor the application to the user's needs, the company stated.
About 150 plants worldwide currently use EIT, including food, beverage, dairy, and personal care companies.
Sidel is one of the world's largest suppliers of packaging equipment for beverages and liquid products.