SUPPLY CHAIN ROY
Services
Studies Offered
Strauss Consulting Group offers different options for studies based on our clients’ needs with numerous and varied core competencies.
Growth Studies to ensure that our clients are always in complete control and are always in a planning mode. No matter what happens, they will know what to do, how to do it, when to do it, and what it will cost. We perform growth modeling studies so the client can choose their preferred growth plan and provide exception report monitoring studies so as things change, they can respond immediately.
Inventory/Product Mix to learn which products are not selling and their financial impact; actual vs. planned inventory levels; recommendations for corrections; and provision of methods and retraining to avoid repetition of mistakes. When offering the proper product mix and reducing excess inventory, the client's bottom line is increased as costs for space, inventory, labor, and equipment are reduced substantially.
Conventional Studies to provide a complete understanding of present and future business requirements regarding operating systems; space planning and layout; equipment; and staffing with accompanying ROI, based on growth projections for optimal distribution and/or manufacturing center design.
Audit/Quick Fix Programs to analyze the present system, recommend quick-fixes which can be implemented immediately at little or no cost and detail areas that require further study for long-term solutions.
Data Processing Analysis & Acquisition perform gap analysis to determine how well the present system, both software and hardware, and other technology can serve present and future needs. Recommendations will be provided to tweak or modify the existing system; to acquire a new software package; or a comparison of both options will be provided so the client can determine the best course of action.
Custom Studies based on the client's unique requirements.
Buy or Sell Audits for those buying or selling a business, please click here.
Facility Design & Space Planning
⚈ Evaluate how much space is required for a given operation or how to best use available space
⚈ Move vs. changeover and/or building additions analysis
⚈ Optimal layouts for warehousing, distribution, or manufacturing operations combining best options for facility flow and space utilization
⚈ Site and Location Studies for optimal service and reduced costs
⚈ Guidance for selection among available facilities
⚈ Material flow pattern analysis
⚈ New facility and building addition requirements
⚈ Feasibility Studies for all options
⚈ Building Configuration recommendations
⚈ Computer Aided Design (CAD) based layouts
⚈ Complete implementation services of projects to ensure success
Operational Systems & Process Analysis
⚈ Plan operational procedures and systems and document existing methods for
⚈ Receiving
⚈ Put-away
⚈ Dock management and cross-docking
⚈ Facility flow
⚈ Manufacturing/assembly
⚈ Replenishment
⚈ Order picking distribution
⚈ Picking - batch, wave, zone, etc.
⚈ Order consolidation
⚈ Order checking
⚈ Packing
⚈ Shipping
⚈ Internal, external transportation
⚈ Cycle counting
⚈ Returns
Material Handling Equipment Requirements, Acquisition
⚈ Determine applicable material handling and storage equipment to meet operational goals for conventional and automated systems including:
⚈ Storage modules (pallet racks, push-back racks, pallet and case flow racks, drive-in racks, bins, etc.)
⚈ Material handling devices - pallet jacks, conveyors, lift trucks (very narrow aisle, narrow aisle, side-loader, Bendi)
⚈ Dock equipment requirements including safety systems
⚈ Packing station design, methods, equipment
⚈ Automation at cost effective levels:
• Barcode and scanning devices
• RFID chip technology
• Carton and unit sortation
• Pick/pack to light rack
• Pick to light and RF carts
• Carousel
• A-Frame and other automated picking systems
• Rack runner
• AS/RS
• AGV
• Mini-load
• Hands free, paperless systems
⚈ Gap analysis – existing equipment vs. business requirements
⚈ Provide material handling systems specifications and selection criteria
⚈ Estimate project and equipment budget costs with associated ROI analysis
⚈ Bid packages and associated services:
⚈ Develop bid requirements and request for proposal
⚈ Bid analysis & vendor selection
⚈ Meet with vendors to assist with their selection
⚈ Assist the selected material handling and storage equipment vendors with equipment design
⚈ Evaluate and report on vendor quotes for material handling and storage equipment to assure all vendors meet quality, service, cost, and scheduling requirements and note differences among bids
Manufacturing/Assembly
⚈ Manufacturing Flow Analysis
⚈ Work station planning, layout, ergonomics, storage
⚈ Methods & Techniques
⚈ Lot Sizing
⚈ Equipment Needs, Automation
⚈ JIT Planning
⚈ Production performance Measurement
Materials Management
⚈ Study present inventory levels and product mix
⚈ Recommend changes
⚈ Find causes of inappropriate levels
⚈ Retrain purchasing & Inventory staff
⚈ Location systems to simplify operations and shorten pick line and time
⚈ Product slotting, planographing
⚈ Order processing analysis
⚈ Paperwork & Office Procedures
Information Technology, Data Processing, WMS Study
⚈ Determine IT requirements to support present and future operating requirements
⚈ Review of present operating software and perform a gap analysis to determine if modification or a new package is required
⚈ Based on review, provide Internal Systems Design or new software specifications and acquisition assistance
⚈ Warehouse Management System (WMS) services
⚈ Determine if existing software is able to be modified to delay WMS purchase
⚈ Provide WMS planning, requirements, request for proposal, vendor review, and acquisition
⚈ Work with company ERP software team for smooth implementation and transition
⚈ Hardware specifications and acqusition services
⚈ Technology planning and design based on requirements, budget, and ROI
Planning/Control
⚈ Supply Chain Analysis
⚈ Benchmarking studies
⚈ Company, division, staff, employee performance reporting, control and tracking systems with associated staffing estimates
⚈ Budget projections:
⚈ Capital Budgets
• Equipment cost estimates
• Comparative analysis
⚈ Operating Budgets
⚈ Customer service programs to determine present levels of satisfaction and methods for improvement
⚈ Security and Safety Programs
Project Implementation
⚈ Implementation of quick fixes
⚈ Critical path chart, planning, scheduling, and management
⚈ Preparation of move plans specifying personnel, material handling equipment, number of trucks, and supplies required in each facility and a budget and schedule for the move
⚈ Development of locator systems transition methodology to assign locations from the old to the new system for the move
⚈ Work with staff to select and apply locator systems and product group placement to the chosen facility layout
⚈ Slot product in the new facility. Determine picking location/type strategies and assist in assignment of product groups to warehouse sections and rack types with designated member of the client project team
⚈ Plan the set up of the new facility including rack labeling, floor striping, sign hanging, etc
⚈ Meet with vendors before installation and start-up, monitor their progress during installation, and inspect the completed system to ensure adherence to project requirements
⚈ Provide an experienced presence during the move or changeover, assisting management whenever necessary to assure a smooth and efficient transition
⚈ Hands-on assistance during the start-up and debugging of the new operation
⚈ Complete project management services as required