Heidelberg is expanding its digital business with the purchase of software startup Crispy Mountain, which owns cloud-based print MIS platform Keyline.
Keyline is designed exclusively for cloud operation, using web-based and mobile technologies across the entire digital and offset value chain. Heidelberg intends to expand it across the commercial, label, and packaging segments.
Aiming to expand its HEI.OS as a new platform for the printing industry, the German press giant will launch an app store, and connect existing Heidelberg software solutions around Prinect, Heidelberg ID, and Heidelberg Assistant.
Prof Dr Ulrich Hermann, member of the management board of lifecycle solutions and chief digital officer at Heidelberg, says the platform will be open to all printing industry manufacturers, in order to give print shops easy access to comprehensive services while having low administrative requirements.
“For Heidelberg, the acquisition of Crispy Mountain is a further step in the rapid expansion of cloud based digital applications that are billed on a usage basis.
“With Crispy Mountain’s qualified team and innovative solutions, we are accelerating our developments around our new industry platform HEI.OS,” he said.
According to Jürgen Grimm, head of global software business at Heidelberg, the move is part of Heidelberg’s realignment of its traditional software business to cloud technology.
“This is the first time that Heidelberg has offered its customers all Prinect modules on a subscription basis as Software-as-a-Service since their market launch a year ago and with great success.
“Crispy Mountain strengthens our team with key competencies in cloud technology and development processes, enabling us not only to deliver an innovative cloud-based and proven MIS application, but also to secure our ambitious business plan on the road to the digital industry platform,” he said.