Facility Operations Design
Computer Simulation Modeling
Location Modeling/Distribution Network Analysis
Operations Audits
Process Analysis
Material Handling Equipment Specifications
Warehouse Management System (WMS) Specifications

Facility Operations Design

• Existing and new facilities
• Recommend processes to maximize and balance the operation's throughput and storage capacities
• Document existing and proposed methods and procedures
• Develop Computer Aided Design (CAD) based layouts
• Material flow pattern analysis
• Recommend material handling and storage equipment
  
• Develop recommended workstation designs
  
• Budget projections
  • Capital Budgets
    • Equipment cost estimates
    • Comparative analysis
  • Operating budgets
    • Staffing estimates
    • Productivity projections
• Project management & implementation
  • Augment client organization
  • On-site project management
  • Manage implementation effort
  • Project schedule GANTT charting
  • Critical path scheduling
  • Resource planning
  • Web-based review and update

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Computer Simulation Modeling

• Computer based; cost effective mathematical models
• Three dimensional animation
• Based on actual and virtual operating profiles
• Evaluation and Justification of facilities
• Evaluation of alternatives
• Workload/order scheduling analysis
• Wave size/release criteria
• Provides
  
  • Equipment utilization factors
  • Labor projections
  • Productivity projections
  • Highlights
  • Capacity constraints
  • Impact of differing volumes on operation's throughput capacity
  • Workflow overview
  • Inventory requirements


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Location Modeling/Distribution Network Analysis

• How many facilities and where?
  
• Cost of continuing to use some or all existing versus "greenfield" network
  
• Product groups to stock in each facility
  
• Full line vs. limited line satellites
  
• Customers to serve from each facility
  
• Service levels
  
• Inbound & outbound freight costs
  
• Building & labor costs
  
• Operating expenses
  
• Corporate issues
  
• Single and multiple site models
  

Operations Audits

• Review present methods
  
• Review space requirements
  
• Review current equipment
  
• Recommend fast implementation, low capital improvements
  
• Procedures
  
• Equipment
  
• Staffing
  
• Information Systems Support

Process Analysis

• Receiving
• Putaway
  
• Replenishment
  
• Picking wave generation
  
• Picking
  
• Order consolidation
  
• Packing
  
• Shipping
  
• Quality assurance
  
• Horizonal and vertical transportation
  
• Returns

Material Handling Equipment Specifications

• Equipment needs & specifications
  • Storage modules (pallet racks, push-back racks, pallet flow racks, drive-in racks, bins, etc.)
  • Material handling devices (lift trucks, pallet jacks, conveyors, carton and unit sortation systems, etc.)
  • Picking modules and systems (carton flow, pick-to-light, carousels, vice-based, RF-carts, etc.)
    
• Performance based
• Develop bid requirements
• Analyze bids
• Bid analysis & vendor selection
• Oversee equipment installation to confirm adherence to specifications
• Acceptance testing

Warehouse Management System (WMS) Specifications

• Performance-based specifications
  
• Define operating requirements
  
• Define interfaces with material handling equipment
  
• Define bar code scanning equipment
  
• Define RF requirements
  
• Gap analysis between defined requirements and existing system