It’s generally accepted that packaging lags behind processing when it comes to network integration. That’s partly because controls and instrumentation for processing lines are typically installed by one vendor. On a packaging line, however, equipment from many different manufacturers must be integrated, a tough task on a good day. To gain some insight into just where packaging professionals stand with regard to networking, PW conducted an exclusive survey on the subject (for survey methodology, see p. 43). Surprisingly, a full 71% of respondents to the survey reported that few or none of their lines are networked. To be clear, this survey is not a scientific sampling of this publication’s readership. But as the only broad-based survey of manufacturers in a variety of industries on the specific topic of packaging-line networks, it’s revealing to say the least.
