Application Analysis of Professional Cartons/Carton Structural Design Software (2)

Domestic market is not yet mature

Foreign large-scale packaging companies, especially European and American packaging companies, have generally used professional box-type design software. Many well-known commodity manufacturing companies use designated box-type design software for designated packaging companies. If packaging manufacturers do not have the professional software they specify, they will not receive orders.
In the field of domestic packaging and printing, despite the increasing attention paid to professional box-type design software, practical applications are limited. According to a survey conducted by the "Print Manager" magazine on top 100 companies in 2003, only 22 of the 64 packaging and printing companies use professional box type design software, accounting for only 34%, and from the overall perspective of China's packaging and printing companies, Professional software companies are still less than 10%. Most of the domestic packaging companies use universal design software for box-type design, such as AutoCAD, Core]Draw, lllustrator and other general-purpose design software without box library, can not be parametrized, the quality of design is naturally uneven, and the work efficiency and professional design software It also cannot be compared.

There are already 7 or 8 internationally famous professional box-type design softwares that have entered the domestic market, and their promotion has been for nearly 10 years. Why can't it be popularized? The analysis of Mr. Cao Wensheng, director of packaging products at Peking University, has the following factors:

First, the price of professional design software is too high. Due to the rampant piracy in China, general design software such as AutoCAD, CoreIDraw.lllustrator, etc. are easily pirated. There is almost no need to spend money. The enterprise has been using it for many years, and it is very skilled and can meet the needs of customers. Feel no need to change.
The second is that the degree of intelligence in professional design software is not enough, and many experience points are needed. The quality requirements for operators are high. The owners of all companies hope that their employees can use the software universally, even if they are ordinary high school students or secondary school students. Can be competent and will not be affected by the flow of people.

The third is that the Chinese language is not doing well. Because there are no national standards in the industry, China has a vast territory. It is different in terms of each terminology, and the naming is not uniform. It is difficult to name the carton/carton in terms of structure, and the software is finished as a barrier.

Fourth, professional software operations are complicated. Professional software has many functions, many functions are not available, operations are complicated, and it is difficult to use.

Fifth, there is not enough knowledge in the domestic market and people in the industry. There is a lack of communication channels and environment. For example, in the “World Star Design Award” of the World Packaging Organization, the structural design awards were all won by foreign contestants, and most of the design awards in China were from the interior design. From this we can also see that structural design is still a weak link in China. .

Change the status quo to find a solution

The Chinese packaging industry is a fast-growing industry. Therefore, the potential market for packaging professional design software in China is very large, which also allows professional design software suppliers to see hope. As Mr. Cao talks about, the market needs to be nurtured. At present, China's professional design software market should be an education-based promotion. We must let our users understand and understand the advantages of professional software, and let them realize that they can use professional design software more effectively. Adapting to current work habits can also improve work efficiency and allow them to automatically abandon common software that they are now accustomed to using.

Mr. Cao thinks that the way to change the status quo: First, to consider compatibility issues when using box-type design software and other types of software in the overall packaging program, such as data compatibility issues. The second is to further intelligentize all the empirical values ​​into an automatic program that simplifies the operation, even for those who have no relevant experience. Third, the software is designed for different user groups, and the functions do not have to be numerous and comprehensive, as long as they can meet the specific needs of the target user group. For example, packaging CAD can be subdivided into two types. One is design CAD, which means that your idea is drawn into a 3D model in a computer. The second is the drawing CAD, which means that the model you have designed will be drawn as a physical object. The third is the production of CAD, do not need to draw the box type, just out of the box library, and then processing variables, spelling version, and finally output, these three kinds of CAD application environment is completely different for different user groups, such as Product design users, packaging design users, corpses for packaging and printing, die-cutting users, school teaching users, etc. The demand for software from different user groups is certainly not the same. Now, professional software has a full range of functions. For example, if a company buys software that has 10 functions, they actually use only two or three of them. Others The functions are wasted, and spending money is not worth it.

Looking forward to the future

Mr. Cao talked about packaging software and solutions in the future. He said that a solution for packaging products can't just stay on the processing of images and structures. The complete solution should be for packaging users and packaging providers to communicate and display. Solutions, products and solutions are provided in the establishment of various communication methods such as design, production, etc., that is, the product design process, packaging design process, packaging product process and packaging and transportation process are organically combined. The overall solution is specifically to improve the supply chain of packaging production: from product development, product design, packaging design, packaging production, inspection and packaging functions, packaging logistics, product transportation to product display, and product sales.

Future packaging software and solutions should also be developed in the direction of diversification, ease of use, and configuration liberalization based on the needs of the market. In front of different users, provide different software solutions and products, and launch different products required by different types of users. For example: to do software courseware products for college users, to make easy-to-use software versions for low-end users, and to provide software for package design testing for product design companies.

This should be the direction that every packaging product solution provider works for.

(author/boat)

"Printing Technology" corrugated box special issue 2005, 7