Panther’s newest MES and quality tracking solutions go live at WestRock in Dublin, Georgia

Dublin, Georgia  –  WestRock Company upgraded the existing Panther Systems MillTools manufacturing execution system (MES), TestCentral quality tracking suite and a host automation with Panther’s newest MES, quality tracking and machine interfaces at the manufacturer’s integrated paper mill in Dublin, Georgia on September 13, 2022. A team of MES experts from Panther were on-site to support WestRock’s mill and IT personnel when systems went live.

“These important MES upgrades exemplify Panther’s focus on continual innovation. Our new technologies now in production at Dublin play essential roles in WestRock’s digital transformation.” said Dan Schott, a Panther UI/UX team member

The MES solution at the WestRock’s paper mill in Dublin includes Panther’s signature quality tracking suite known as TestCentral and RoleLineSupervisor, a highly configurable and powerful solution, which automates the mill’s roll line. Panther also upgraded the mill’s other machine and business interfaces. The upgrades at Dublin follow a series of Panther upgrades at many of WestRock’s other paper mills.

These and other Panther technologies operate in pulp plants, paper mills, converting facilities, warehouses and corporate centers globally.

Transforming MES forever

Panther’s ambitious project to modernize the MillTools achieves mission-critical objectives:

  • Ensure longevity and planned innovation of MillTools for years to come
  • Retain critical functionality for pulp, paper and nonwoven manufacturers using existing Panther production databases
  • Provide true localization capability to operate mills in nearly any language
  • Create graphic user interfaces that work on touchscreens and mobile devices
  • Enable customers to operate factories of the future using Panther’s manufacturing execution systems, quality control systems and manufacturing intelligence solutions

New products and approaches

As a result, the new MillTools 2.0 delivers office and shop floor applications with a host of innovations in one integrated software portal. With visionary plans for the future, Panther spun up a new UI/UX team, who develops cutting-edge graphical user interfaces, proliferates new standards for style and rolled out an improved user experience, based on exhaustive research, testing and customer feedback.

Through these efforts, the software company established new standards for front-end applications and software interfaces, while preserving database structure. Panther went a step further by refining the company’s agile software development model to accelerate development of its products.

These improvements allow MillTools 2.0 to assume a central role in Industry 4.0 manufacturing environments. Mills and converting facilities can leverage Panther’s mobile/touchscreen devices and machine automation on shop floors, where people and machines work together for data-driven smart manufacturing.

About Panther Systems

Established in 1993, Panther Systems is heralded by pulp and paper experts as the leading provider of manufacturing execution, quality control, process analysis and other manufacturing intelligence systems. Visit panthersys.com for information or call 360-750-9783.