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- By Industry
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- By Area of Expertise
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Case Studies
Custom Automation Solution Streamlines and Standardizes Process
Project at a Glance |
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RDA created a custom application to automate warehouse item requests and stock changes for a leading marketer and distributor. Our team trained the client's technical team on the new workflow application which streamlined their process and includes the ability to monitor process effectiveness. |
About Our Client
RDA's client is the leading independent marketer and distributor of commercial printing and business imaging papers, packaging systems and facility supplies and equipment in North America. The company operates more than 100 distribution centers and owns a fleet of 2000 trucks.
Background
Our client sought to automate a labor-intensive and time-consuming process associated with adding new corporate warehouse items and changing stocking statuses. In addition to the inefficiency of the manual process, there was a general lack of consistency for these procedures across the organization.
Solution Detail
RDA provided custom application development services and business process consulting related to our client's workflow process for new item requests. The solution takes advantage of Microsoft's Office product portfolio (including SharePoint and InfoPath) along with K2.net.
Our team created a customized InfoPath form which functions as the user interface for account representatives, who initiate supply requests based on potential sales opportunities. The form is then submitted to a K2.net server, which employs customized workflow rules and steps to allow for a comprehensive analysis of the business value (profit), potential return on investment, and other financial considerations associated with the request.
The analysis and approval process is determined and guided based on the specific customer, segment, and product(s) involved. Our client requested that approvals occur at the warehouse level, which required the ability to filter multifaceted data layers. Web Services allows the application to interface with several databases, including an Oracle data warehouse and an application database.
RDA's solution accommodates integration for mobile devices, specifically Blackberries. It also utilizes the built-in reporting capabilities of K2.net.
Benefits
The solution automated and streamlined our client's process for new item requests. It also provided the ability to obtain information relating to the effectiveness of the process and associated solution documentation.
In addition to automating the workflow for new item requests, RDA provided extensive business consultation with key subject matter experts to enable the client to standardize that process. What was previously somewhat haphazard is now consistent and repeatable. RDA also provided knowledge transfer and mentoring to our client's technical resources, enabling them to complete the development of remaining workflow processes at the conclusion of the engagement. Over a week's worth of training was given, covering C#, Web Services, K2.net, and more.
