 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
Implementation Effective planning and coordination at the beginning of the implementation phase is necessary to ensure a smooth, timely and controlled transition to the new operations/systems. Companies must have a detailed plan for the integration process to keep the project on track, and must have clear communication channels between the project team, stakeholders, suppliers and company management. Most importantly the project must have senior management support. Tracking and Quality Assurance
Project Management (Overall, Facility, MHE, Systems, Resources, and Transition) TransTech will coordinate all aspects (construction, software, material handling equipment, operations, inventory and systems transition, cultural change, and other project tasks) into a master schedule with a critical path for timely completion. This will include project planning, project monitoring, analyzing impact and making adjustments.Project schedule components include: - Resource tracking and schedules for Client's personnel, vendors, contractors, and TransTech. - MHE, Hardware and other equipment schedules for procurement, delivery, installation and implementation. - WMS and TMS design, development, testing, training, transition, and start-up. Other activities included as part of project management include managing implementation of planned design, monitoring vendor performance, coordinating and controlling client/vendor meetings and fine-tuning each functional area as an iterative process throughout the implementation phase. The most critical activity is insuring that the original design ideas are implemented with changes/alterations only as deemed important by the team and to enhance the original concepts. Back to Top Services Selection - MHE, WMS, 3PL and Carriers Services selection involves identifying qualified suppliers, creating a Request For Proposal (RFP), comparing responses, evaluating supplier's capabilities, and making a final recommendation. TransTech provides services selection for all aspects of distribution including material handling equipment, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), 3rd Party Logistics companies (3PLs), Carrier Services, and Facilities.TransTech does not have an affiliation with any vendors and do not accept any type of compensation from a vendor. Our process for procuring equipment or systems is to write performance specifications (based on the team's design), distribute an RFP, evaluate the proposals, then, recommend the most effective solution to our client. TransTech helps facilitate the negotiations but the client completes the final negotiations and purchases the equipment directly from the vendor. Printable Summary Back to Top System Configuration TransTech has been instrumental in the design and enhancement of several warehouse management systems. Along with our best practice expertise, we are the right choice when it comes to insuring your system will be configured to match the original design.Using the requirements document and our knowledge of the design requirements, we will facilitate the completion the following assignments to configure the system:
Back to Top Testing (Unit, Integration, Acceptance, and Conversion) There are many phases of testing including unit, functional, end-to-end, integration, acceptance, and conversion. The implementation of most systems requires each of these test phases to be completed, reviewed, evaluated, and approved. It is absolutely critical to have management ownership in the testing process to insure buy-in and for them to learn the system.Using the functional requirements and transition plan, test are developed to insure all aspects of the functionality and conversion are satisfied. It is critical to identify all scenarios within test scripts then insure data is collected to support the running of the tests. Testers are encouraged to "break" the system throughout all of the testing phases. The completeness of test scenarios and the thoroughness of testers will be reflected in the success of the start-up and the weeks and months to follow. Back to Top Management and Employee Training Train management and supervision in the operation of each functional area and in the overall operation of the system. They must be trained in the inventory control, material handling and order fulfillment techniques designed into the system. Problem solving methods must also be taught so they can properly adjust the system as customer requirements change. Management and supervisors are involved in the testing phase since this is a great training opportunity.TransTech will work with management to develop employee training plans defining resources, training material, training space, systems requirements, and more. Employee training is critical before startup of any system to insure operators can perform required functions but just as importantly, to obtain buy-in and ownership of what they are doing The more training you can do the smoother the operation will function at start-up. Back to Top Conversion Planning and Execution Conversion planning relates to the conversion from one system to another whether it is the front-end systems or the WMS. This planning needs to detail the steps to complete the conversion and must include resources, software, hardware, backups, databases, etc. Once the plan is established it is necessary to complete multiple iterations of testing to refine the process.Once it is time to convert, TransTech will manage and coordinate resources and tasks for every step to insure a successful start-up. Meetings are held as necessary to stay on tasks and individual face to face meetings are held as required to insure success. Back to Top Transition Planning and Execution Often when starting up new operations, distribution related elements are changed or moved including resources, equipment, workstations, offices, systems, hardware and inventory. It is critical that a detailed plan be formalized to understand the timing and methods to complete the transition.Once the transition starts detailed monitoring of task progress against plan is absolutely critical. One hiccup in a certain area could jeopardize the entire transition. Back to Top Cost Control and Budget Tracking Throughout the implementation phase, costs are monitored against budgets to insure the project is kept on track. Resources, equipment and systemsExpenditures to date and expected for future are updated regularly and tracked against the original budget. Each party involved in the implementation is held accountable for their area and expenditures, and required to give updates to be rolled into the overall schedules. Back to Top Go-Live Support Implement and fine-tune each functional area. The master project management schedule will identify the "start-up" of each functional area only after the prior dependent activities are completed. After start up, some assumptions made during the project should be monitored and possibly modified for full effectiveness of the system.Back to Top |
Contact Us:
Do you have a question, a comment or a suggestion? Whatever it is, we're eager to hear from you. contact@transtechconsulting.com Phone: 614-751-0575 Fax: 614-751-0576 Upcoming Events |