New AI-powered solution helps print shops access production insights instantly through natural-language queries.
Heidelberg has introduced AI Performance Chat, a new intelligent feature within the Heidelberg Portal designed to make production data analysis faster, simpler, and more intuitive for print businesses. Launched under the tagline “Stop searching, start asking,” the solution allows users to interact with production data using natural language, eliminating the need to navigate complex reports and dashboards.
Developed for customers using Heidelberg’s Print Shop Analytics platform, the AI-powered assistant enables operators and managers to ask questions directly and receive immediate insights in a conversational format. Responses are supported by charts, tables, and clear explanations, helping users quickly understand production performance and identify areas for improvement.
The new capability builds upon Heidelberg’s existing analytics infrastructure, which tracks key performance indicators such as Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), productivity levels, makeready times, and waste. While traditional analytics tools often require manual filtering and report generation, AI Performance Chat streamlines the process by delivering relevant information instantly through simple text-based queries.
According to Jürgen Grimm, Head of Software at Heidelberg, the solution is designed to make production intelligence more accessible to users across print operations.
“With AI Performance Chat, we are making the use of production data significantly more intuitive. Customers can ask the questions that matter most in their daily operations and receive immediate, meaningful answers that support better decision-making,” he said.
Early adopters have already reported considerable productivity gains. Marcel Willnow of LUC Medienhaus noted that tasks that previously required hours of data preparation can now be completed within minutes.
“Preparing performance reports for meetings used to be a time-consuming process. Today, a single prompt provides not only the data but also the necessary context to understand it,” he explained.
Available globally in more than 18 languages, AI Performance Chat is fully integrated into the Heidelberg Portal and designed to help print businesses address ongoing challenges such as increasing operational complexity, tighter production schedules, and workforce shortages. By simplifying access to production intelligence, the tool enables faster responses to operational issues and supports more informed business decisions.
The launch also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern print manufacturing. As print service providers increasingly focus on efficiency, waste reduction, and productivity optimization, AI-driven analytics tools are becoming an essential component of digital transformation strategies.
With AI Performance Chat, Heidelberg continues to strengthen its portfolio of smart manufacturing solutions, helping print businesses unlock greater value from production data while improving operational performance and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.