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Management Information Systems Research Project

Autor:   •  November 27, 2018  •  2,840 Words (12 Pages)  •  586 Views

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This labor-intensive process is very costly to our company. Not only does it consume exorbitant amounts of valuable manpower and time to process an order, we are currently unable to properly optimize our selection of shippers. Investing in a TMS would eliminate most of the logistical bottleneck of processing and shipping our product orders. There are several very good options for TMS providers. However, BluJay Solutions’ TMS seems to stand out as the better fit for our organization.

BluJay Solutions offers a “complete, integrated software solution that manages the entire logistics operation from front to back handling multiple languages, currencies, and time zones (BluJay Solutions, n.d.).” The warehouse management, yard management, and integrated cross dock modules of the system provide the ability to management of all multimodal transportation activities for the product shipment and provides an itemized customer invoice.

Solution at a Glance

- Multimodal transportation management

- Provides complete control over the order-to-cash process

- Visibility and reporting

- Planning and execution

- Carrier selection

- Rating engine

- Integration with on-board computing

- Integrated with Warehouse Management, Yard Management, and Cross Dock

- Agile, scalable platform that adapts and grows with the business

(BluJay Solutions, n.d.)

Key Features

- Strong order management supporting different operating models and business rules

- Supports single side to complex multi-depot/multi-country requiring multiple networks

- Automatic planning scenarios allows you to more efficiently utilize resources, control costs, and minimize empty distance

- Smooth handling of non-conformities and irregularities

- Revenue and cost allocation insight

- Integrated rating engine

- KPI and reporting dashboard

BluJay Solutions has a very impressive network consisting of more than 40,000 carriers and partners up and down the supply chain (BluJay Solutions, n.d.). This level of connectivity, coupled with the capabilities of their software ensures that each product shipment will be fully optimized for the fastest and most efficient delivery possible. This efficiency can be realized along with a significant reduction in the workload of our shipping clerks. Instead of calling each shipping provider individually and manually computing the most efficient option, the shipping clerk would simply input the product dimensions, any special handling requirements, and desired expediting level. BluJay would then query their network and produce the most optimized solution in seconds. This system is a scalable, cloud based system that functions well on both desktop systems as well as on mobile platforms like a smart phone or iPad. The monetary savings potential as well as the increased efficiency associated with adopting a transportation management system like BlueJay is extraordinary. My recommendation is to pursue the acquisition of this system at the earliest time possible.

Computer Integrated Manufacturing

Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) is often thought of as the complete automation of the manufacturing or production process using computers, automation, and robotics. This view, however, is rather unfair. One definition of CIM is, “an operating philosophy aiming at greater efficiency across the whole cycle of product design, manufacturing, and marketing, thereby improving quality, productivity, and competitiveness (Wu, Fan, & Xiao, n.d.).” CIM may be further defined as, “the integration of the total manufacturing enterprise through the use of integrated systems and data communications coupled with new managerial philosophies that improve organizational and personnel efficiency (Wu, Fan, & Xiao, n.d.).”

With our business operations consisting of the maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft components, the last two definitions of CIM would be the most applicable to us if we were to adopt this technology. Our current operations processes are very tedious, labor intensive, and prone to errors thanks to a manually executed paper trail.

Adopting a CIM process for our use would consist of a networked data and computer system tracking the status of work orders and work scopes, certifications of components, inventory levels, work assignments, vendor payments, and customer billing. Partnering with Cisco to develop the server/data center system required to support these CIM processes would be in our best interest. Their engineers will come to our facility and work directly with us to design the best system for our needs. This system will be fully scalable; we will have the ability to expand or contract the size and scope of the system based on our current needs. We would also need to work with Citrix to create a virtualized inventory and component tracking system which will be updated real time.

This inventory tracking system is the most important part of the system as it relates to our production efficiency. The inventory specialists and maintenance managers will be able to query our parts inventory by task to ensure that we have all required materials in stock before a work order or component is submitted to the work flow. If there are materials or parts that must be ordered for a particular job, the inventory specialist will be able to order parts as required directly through the system which is also connected to our approved vendors. Inventory levels of consumables such as o-rings, bolts, screws, washers, nuts, and zip-ties will all be monitored and automatically replenished as required. Expiration dates will also be monitored electronically and the inventory specialist will be notified of items currently in stock that are approaching, or have passed their expiration dates. These items will be automatically re-ordered as well.

The CIM system would extend to the shop floor as well. The technicians will log into the system and sign into the specific work order to which they have been assigned. As each item on the work order is completed, the technician will sign it off electronically.

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