Quality control software reduces costs and increases efficiency of specialized pulp and paper company
With the help of specialized quality control software, Pix Force, a computer vision and image processing startup, helped Suzano, in the pulp and paper business, save money and correct operational errors.
Quality control is a fundamental sector for the operation of any company . After all, this process is what guarantees the safety and tranquility of a consumer when using any product.
More than just ensuring operation, quality control must have the mission of ensuring a fully satisfactory experience for a customer. Even more so in a time of high competitiveness and commercial demand.
However, in large-scale productions, mistakes are common. Even with the evaluation of competent professionals, it is humanly impossible to guarantee perfect quality control for all products.
In addition, the safety of these professionals can often be put at risk during heavier processes.
Fortunately, technology is increasingly seeking solutions to increase the effectiveness and agility of this process . Especially when we talk about the innovation sector and startups.
A good example of this is the case of Pix Force , which developed customized quality control software to minimize errors in machines and systems at Suzano, a company in the paper and cellulose industry.
In a collaboration based on Open Innovation, both companies worked together to solve problems and foster growth on both sides.
Check out more about this amazing collaboration case!
Case Pix Force and Suzano: open innovation for customer segmentation via mobile data
Suzano , a company specialized in pulp and paper, was facing a series of quality control problems in the pulp bale packaging process.
At the time, the machine often did not properly close the product, or some packages tore during the process .
Even with professionals on site to carry out quality control, in some cases the bale was sent to the customer with a defect and, consequently, it was rejected, generating collection costs, replacement and even contractual fines.
In addition to operational inefficiencies and high costs, the company had to deal with a huge waste of time and resources to fix these flaws.
That’s where Pix Force came into the picture. Taking advantage of a connection with Endeavor, Startup’s longtime partner, the company began its relationship with Suzano.
The proposal for the development of quality control software was the starting point for the Open Innovation project between the organization and Startup.
Before proceeding with more details about the case, it is important to make a brief presentation of the companies involved in this project.
pix force
Pix Force is a startup that develops customized solutions for large companies using computer vision, artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies.
Founded in Porto Alegre, in 2015, the initiative has been providing disruptive technology-based solutions for several companies.
Providing valuable information to its customers through the automatic acquisition and interpretation of images and videos , the project has been standing out as one of the most promising innovative initiatives on the market.
So much so that Startup has appeared 5 times in the Ranking 100 Open Startups.
Suzano
Suzano is one of the largest companies in the pulp and paper sector in Brazil and the world. Founded in 1924, the organization has a rich and solid history in the forest products industry.
The company is known for its integrated operations, which range from the planting of eucalyptus forests to the production and sale of final products.
Internationally recognized as a leading company in the pulp and paper sector, the company credits its constant growth over the years to its investment in innovation .
After all, Suzano is one of the main references in the use of state-of-the-art technologies to optimize its operations and adopt sustainable practices throughout its production cycle.
Therefore, the solution found together with Pix Force, through Open Innovation, fit perfectly within the company’s ideals and professional values.
Key Case Benefits: Quality Control Software
The Open Innovation project between Pix Force and Suzano was a great success, with the quality control software bringing a series of advantages to the pulp company.
Among the main benefits, the substantial cost reduction stands out , achieved for two essential reasons.
First, with the elimination of the need for human labor working in manual inspections, which demand long and extensive work, 7 days a week.
Second, artificial intelligence ensures the elimination of product defects and, consequently, the costs associated with replacing and reworking defective products. Suzano’s operational efficiency has become even more refined.
Another notable benefit was the guarantee of safety for employees. After all, manual inspections of large, heavy assets often expose them to significant accident and injury risk .
In addition, intelligent automation allows real-time monitoring of inspection activities , which enables quick detection of problems and failures.
That way, the company can act promptly to correct issues before they escalate into larger, more complex issues.
However, the great differential of the solution proposed by Pix Force lies in the high learning capacity of its software . Unlike other solutions whose analysis would be binary, in the startup project, reading comprises much more sophisticated information.
Pix Force’s solution shows levels of damage, exceeding analysis and quality expectations beyond the customer’s immediate pain.
One of the examples of this is recognizing that a package may have been properly designed, but the label printing is blurred, which also results in non-compliance and product rejection.
As a result of this project, both companies have strengthened long-term ties. In such a way that the partnership continues firm until today.
Currently, Pix Force has developed another project together with Suzano, focusing on counting objects on pallets, also using artificial intelligence.
What do startups have to offer companies?
This case exemplifies the transformative role that startups can play within companies. Regardless of the sector, every corporation can take advantage of Open Innovation partnerships to take its performance to another level.
Innovation often brings greater simplicity to processes that customers already have. In the case of Suzano, for example, Pix Force’s solution came to simplify a quality control flow that guarantees much more assertiveness and quality for its products.
How to connect with startups?
Do like Pix Force, and participate in the Ranking 100 Open Startups to connect with the best startups or corporations most qualified for this type of project.
‘’As the main ranking of startups in the country, the 100 Open Startups is recognized by large companies, which gives us credibility and gives us access to potential customers’’, Aline Torres, marketing manager at Pix Force.
This is your chance to connect to the startup ecosystem and be part of the largest Open Innovation community in the world . Come and discover the work of 100 Open Startups.
What is the 100 Open Startups Ranking?
100 Open Startups is the main open innovation platform and accelerator in the Brazilian market . Its main objective is to connect startups with large companies, promoting partnerships and business opportunities.
The company acts as an intermediary between startups and corporations, facilitating the collaborative innovation process. One of its main products is the 100 Open Startups ranking.
The 100 Open Startups Ranking is an initiative by 100 Open Startups that seeks to identify and recognize the most attractive startups for the corporate market.
The ranking is based on a methodology that involves the evaluation of startups by large companies and specialists from different sectors.
In addition to evaluating large companies, specialists also contribute to the ranking of startups.
After evaluation, startups are classified in a ranking that reflects their relevance and attractiveness to the corporate market.
The best-placed startups receive recognition and visibility, which can result in partnerships and business opportunities with large participating companies.
The Ranking 100 Open Startups is updated annually , with the disclosure of the selected startups and their classification in the ranking.
It serves as an important indicator for the market, highlighting startups that are standing out in the area of innovation and attracting the attention of large companies .
