Why Case Studies Matter

Theory alone rarely convinces. Companies want to see how others have overcome similar challenges. This case study illustrates how a mid-sized packaging manufacturer transformed its operations with packQ — from initial customer requests to pricing, production, and delivery.

Initial Situation: Where the Company Stood

The company, a family-owned business with around 150 employees, specialized in folding cartons and corrugated packaging. Its typical customers included:

• Medium-sized food producers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• Smaller e-commerce shops

Key Challenges Before packQ

• Quote turnaround: 1–3 days per request due to manual calculations
• Data errors: 20% of print files were faulty (RGB images, missing bleed, wrong dimensions)
• Order processing: Numerous small runs made workflows unprofitable
• Customer retention: No online self-service — everything had to go through sales

The realization: without digital solutions, the company would not stay competitive.

Decision for packQ

After evaluating several systems, the company chose packQ because it offered:

• Integrated ECMA and FEFCO standards
• Real-time price calculation
• Dynamic Preflight checks
• API integration with the existing ERP (SAP) system

Goal: establish Web-to-Pack as a new business model and accelerate all core processes.

Implementation: Step by Step

Phase 1 – Project Planning

• Defined goals: reduce quote times, cut error rates by half, launch a customer portal
• Built a cross-functional project team (sales, IT, production)

Phase 2 – Product Library

• Selected 10 FEFCO cartons + 5 ECMA folding boxes for launch
• Configured with dimensions and materials in packQ

Phase 3 – Pricing Logic

• Modeled real cost structure in the system
• Added tiered pricing and fixed costs

Phase 4 – Integration

• Connected packQ to ERP (SAP)
• Automated order and production data transfer

Phase 5 – Pilot Phase

• Tested with 5 key customers
• Collected feedback on usability, pricing, data quality
• Adjusted pricing logic slightly

Phase 6 – Go-Live

• Opened online shop for all customers
• Marketing campaign: “Configure Packaging Online”

Results After 12 Months

The rollout of packQ delivered measurable improvements:

• Quote turnaround: reduced from 2 days to under 1 minute
• Error rate: cut from 20% to 6% (–70%)
• Throughput: +30% more jobs processed with the same workforce
• Online orders: +20% growth in the first year
• Customer satisfaction: highly positive feedback, especially on 3D preview and transparent pricing

📢 Production Manager’s quote:
“In the past, every small job was a headache. Today, we process even small runs profitably.”

Key Success Factors

• Start small: launched with 15 standard products, expanded later
• Training: involved staff early to reduce resistance
• ERP integration: ensured smooth workflows
• Pilot phase: feedback eliminated obstacles before go-live

Benefits Across Departments

• Sales: relieved, as customers now handle many steps themselves
• Prepress: fewer corrections thanks to Dynamic Preflight
• Production: stable, validated data → fewer stoppages
• Management: new revenue streams and higher customer satisfaction

Lessons Learned

• Standardization is the foundation of automation. ECMA and FEFCO templates make Web-to-Pack possible.
• Change management is crucial. Employees must understand the added value.
• Customer focus pays off. Transparency in pricing and previews builds trust.

Future Plans

Following the success, the company plans to:

• Expand portfolio to 50 packaging types
• Introduce Variable Data Printing (VDP) for personalized runs
• Launch multilingual portals for international expansion

This case study proves: packQ is more than a configurator. It is a transformation tool that enables new business models and secures long-term competitiveness.

With clear strategy and structured implementation, companies can achieve:

• Faster workflows
• Fewer errors
• Happier customers
• Increased revenue

For packaging manufacturers still hesitating: now is the time to take the step into Web-to-Pack.

Powering the Next Generation of Packaging

CloudLab has established itself as a global benchmark for Web-to-Pack innovation. Through continuous R&D and close collaboration with leading print providers, the company has built packQ as a modular, cloud-native ecosystem that scales effortlessly across markets and business models. Its unique blend of automation, accuracy, and design flexibility makes CloudLab not just a software vendor, but a true enabler of the next generation of digital packaging production.