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Case Study #2: Managing with Web Tools
Model
GlobalWare Solutions supplies software and documentation to a particular Company’s internal departments, their suppliers, and to their end users. GlobalWare currently receives multiple Purchase Orders monthly, for numerous Finished Goods part numbers. Those FG part numbers explode out to thousands of component parts which GlobalWare manufactures, including CDs and printed materials.
Problem
The large number of component pieces, sub assemblies, and finished good orders make accurate revision control essential. The Company did not want to have to handle the same pieces of information for a variety of suppliers, nor to be the central information point of contact for questions on shipments from worldwide locations.
Solution
GlobalWare Solutions utilized the digital technology and web collaboration tools to manage information, and make it accessible to the Company, and their suppliers worldwide, 24 hours a day.
Project information is managed by GWS’ web tool, InfoTracTM, including:
- Action Items
- Unapproved, and Approved soft proofs
- Unapproved and Approved BOMs
- Unapproved and Approved MRP
- Build Schedules
- Cost Information
- Min/Max Inventory requirements
This information is managed with two tiers of password protection, one level for suppliers of the Company, who can access Approved proofs, and BOMs, and a second level for the Company, who can access all information. In this way, the Company delivers only version of information, which GlobalWare Solutions manages to keep all other suppliers up to date. Posting information to the web, and allowing reports to be pulled from the site eliminates the need for e-mail and phone requests for information, and e-mail of large documents, which can often become corrupted in transmission. Additionally, web access is 24/7, accommodating the needs of users across international time zones.
Gold Master files are maintained in a web tool called DataShare™. These files are accessible by other Company suppliers, eliminating the need for the Company to make multiple gold masters, or for GlobalWare to duplicate gold masters. Suppliers have access to DataShare™ to pull the current revisions as they are needed.
Orders are transmitted daily via EDI, from the Company legacy systems. Service Level Agreements require all orders received by 4:45 p.m. to ship same day. The Company also places ‘pull and ship’ orders, which transfer component inventory to Company locations, or to other Company suppliers, worldwide.
After placing orders, product shipments are updated real time in the web enabled ProductTracTM, giving shipment information to those who need it without phone calls or e-mails. ProductTrac™ manages order flows, inventories and shipments. It links with major carrier tracking systems to supply critical information right up to the time a product is delivered to its final destination.
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