Dymo: Empowering the factory of the future with a modern data platform

About the customer

Dymo, part of Newell Brands, is a globally recognised name in label solutions. Located in Belgium, the company manufactures consumables for Dymo label printers. These products are distributed worldwide.

The Challenge

Despite a highly automated production process, Dymo was weighed down by paperwork and rework. Operators and personnel spent more time on administrative tasks than on production. 

This reliance on paper and whiteboards resulted in low data accuracy and availability, making it difficult to get a clear, real-time picture of operations. The data was unstructured and disconnected, making it difficult to access for reporting and analytics. To stay competitive and embrace the principles of Industry 4.0, the company knew it needed a digital transformation.

The Goal

The primary goal was to digitise its data and processes to improve efficiency. They aimed to improve efficiency and productivity by having employees focus on machines and products instead of paperwork. 

They sought to have more accurate and accessible data that would enable data-driven decision-making, a cornerstone of Industry 4.0. This modernisation was also intended to create a solid foundation for future AI capabilities, paving the way for Industry 5.0.

The Solution

In 2019, Dymo partnered with Devoteam to conduct a content analysis of their paper-based processes, identifying opportunities for digitisation. This led to Dymo’s headquarters approving a many years’ digital transformation program, which began in April 2020. 

This program has been crucial for digitising key information flows and integrating disparate data sources, laying the essential groundwork for a more connected and intelligent manufacturing environment.
Across all production lines and islands digital shop floor portals have been realised on Microsoft 365 with the low-code Ometa framework for real-time integration of SAP Production Planning & Warehouse Management, Maintenance, Quality & Safety, and OEE management, based upon live machine data.

Following this foundational digitisation, Devoteam and Dymo have realised the next step with the implementation and migration to a modernised Data platform. 

This solution leverages:

• The Microsoft Azure capabilities as the foundation for the new data platform. 
• The Ometa framework serves as “data bridge” to push data from Dymo’s on-premise systems (warehouse management, SAP, production planning and maintenance) to the Azure cloud. 
• PowerBI reports have been implemented to transform raw data into actionable insights, complemented with SharePoint Portals for collaboration and driving operational excellence.

Today’s platform enables an automated “pull system” for production planning. Orders are now created automatically based on global demand, a major improvement over the old manual system. This approach not only addressed the immediate need to digitise but also created a flexible, scalable infrastructure that could grow with the company, preparing it for the evolving demands of the industrial sector.

The Methodology

Devoteam’s methodology combined its expertise in production environments with a human-centric approach. They began by meticulously analysing Dymo’s existing paper-based processes, identifying key pain points and opportunities for digital transformation. This led to the co-development of a new, streamlined digital collaboration platform. The team then utilised a robust pipeline approach to construct a modern data platform on Azure, specifically designed to make Dymo’s newly digitised data reusable and easily accessible. This systematic approach ensures that data is not just collected, but actively prepared for advanced analytics and future innovations.

The Result

The implementation of the new digital solution delivered significant, measurable results that transformed Dymo’s operations and employee experience, solidifying its position as a “Factory of the Future.”

• Time Saved: The administrative task at a bulk roll slitting job was reduced from 15 minutes to 1-2 minutes, which is an 87% to 93% reduction in administrative time.
• Improved Data Quality & Accessibility: Data is now readily available for reporting using PowerBI reports and can be utilised for data-driven decision-making.
• Efficiency & Productivity: Digitisation increased machine and labour efficiency, as measured by Dymo’s KPIs. 
• Automated Production Flow: The digital platform automates the production flow and enables a “pull system” based on global demands

Factory of the Future

Agoria awarded Dymo the “Factory of the Future 2025″ for its significant advancements in key areas such as Employee Involvement and engagement, Lean Transformation and process Improvement, and Digitisation and digital Improvements. 

Dymo’s lean manufacturing efforts streamlined processes by eliminating manual tasks, leading to substantial production improvements. Digitisation was the final crucial step, distinguishing Dymo as a leader. It enabled continuous improvement, provided real-time information to the shop floor, and supported existing high levels of automation. This digital transformation was instrumental in securing the award and validating Dymo’s strategic decisions for future readiness.