Xentral ERP for the Packaging Industry

Yes. Smaller packaging businesses benefit from the flexible, scalable solution Xentral provides. You get access to professional ERP software without heavy upfront investment. The cloud setup means you can run efficiently with as few as 10 to 15 employees and stay competitive against larger players.

Implementation typically takes between 3 and 9 months, depending on the size and complexity of your business. Smaller companies can go live within 8 to 12 weeks, while larger companies with complex production setups may need 6 to 12 months. As a cloud solution, Xentral cuts implementation time significantly since there's no hardware to install.

Xentral runs in parallel with no production downtime. With a phased migration and planned test phases, your production keeps running smoothly throughout the implementation. Critical production periods are factored in, and the final switchover usually happens during low-production windows or weekends.

Xentral's interface is intuitive, so training is fast. Production staff usually need 1 to 2 days for the basics, while schedulers and planners need 3 to 5 days of more intensive training. Xentral provides online training, support and documentation, so most employees are fully productive within 2 to 4 weeks.

Yes. Xentral has features built specifically for managing complex packaging recipes. You can map multilayer films, adhesive formulations and printing ink compositions. Material requirements, cost calculations and quality checks are automatically calculated and tracked. Recipe changes are versioned and documented automatically, giving you full transparency and control.

Xentral uses smart algorithms to calculate optimal cutting plans based on order data and material webs. The system minimizes material waste by optimizing how formats are arranged on production webs. Real-time monitoring of material consumption identifies waste sources immediately, saving 8 to 15 percent on material use.

Yes. Xentral was built to handle the full range of the packaging industry, from flexible packaging to labels to rigid packaging. Each product category can be set up with its own parameters, production processes and quality requirements. Xentral manages multi-material structures and customer-specific variants without issues, keeping every step under control.

Xentral connects to production machines through Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). Real-time data from printing presses, laminating lines and packaging machines is captured, enabling automatic production data collection, machine status monitoring and predictive maintenance. This optimizes your production flow and reduces downtime.

Yes. Xentral offers open APIs and integrations with popular e-commerce platforms (like Shopware, Magento and WooCommerce) as well as POS systems and marketplaces (like Amazon and eBay). Stock, prices and orders sync automatically, so multichannel sales run efficiently without duplicate entries.

Xentral is a cloud-based solution and generally needs an internet connection. However, it offers offline modes for critical functions like production data entry and warehouse movements. This data is cached locally and syncs automatically once the connection is back. For maximum reliability, hybrid solutions combining local servers with cloud backup are also available.

Xentral automates the reporting requirements of the German Packaging Act through built-in calculation and documentation modules. The system records material quantities, calculates recycling rates and generates LUCID reports. Licensing costs are calculated automatically, and regular compliance reports are generated. Your packaging production stays compliant and traceable.

Yes. Xentral supports HACCP-compliant processes through automatic temperature logging, batch tracking and effective contamination risk management. Corrective actions for deviations are documented automatically. Audit trails and complete documentation ensure FDA and EU requirements are met.

Yes. Xentral provides automatic management of best-before dates. The system monitors expiry dates of raw materials, plans by FIFO/FEFO and warns you in time about critical stock. Batch-based traceability enables fast recalls, and automatic blocks prevent the use of expired materials.

Yes. Xentral is a future-proof solution that grows with your business. As a cloud-based platform, the system scales easily, so adding new users, locations or features is straightforward. Xentral supports multi-company structures and complex group setups, while regular updates deliver new features without system changes.