mobile apps or else

Mobile Apps or ElseAchieving Process Efficiency

Elizabeth Hess

CEO

BullsEye Computing Solutions, Inc.

Kelli Prescott

Manager Information Technology

CSX Technology

AGENDA

About BullsEye

About CSX

CSX Use Cases – Process Enhancements

Considerations when Selecting a Mobile Solution

• Software

• Hardware

Success Factors

Questions

BullsEye Computing Solutions

• Company founded in 1998

• Specializes in process improvement via technology

- Barcode - RFID - Mobility

• Provides mobile solutions for Oracle® E-Business Suite

- Full set of supply chain transactions- Receiving - Inventory Management - Manufacturing

- Asset Tracking - Shipping - Quality

- Custom Oracle applications for process efficiency

Technology for Enhancing Business Processes

CSX Vision Statement

• To be the safest, most progressive North American railroad, relentless in

the pursuit of customer and employee excellence

• Based in Jacksonville, Florida

• Our network encompasses approximately 21,000 route miles of track in

23 states, the District of Columbia and the Canadian provinces of Ontario

and Quebec

CSX Operating Facilities in NY & NJ

• Using Oracle Financial Applications since 1998

• Upgraded to R12 in August 2010

• Currently on Release 12.2.3

CSX Utilizing Oracle Applications

1. Daily inventory material processing at warehouses

2. Occasional usage of inventory material from an unmanned location

(RFID)

3. Capturing inventory material usage from remote locations that do not

have network connectivity

CSX Use Cases

BACKGROUND:

• Locomotive warehouses are typically manned locations

• Utilize our inventory for maintenance and repair

• Work so that locomotives can be available to move the freight

Inventory Management Using Mobile BarcodingUse Case 1

CHALLENGES:

• All interaction with the system occurred at a centrally located computer

• Manual entry of data increased chances of mistakes

• Inability to perform additional requests (communicated over the radio)

when out on the warehouse floor – without first returning to the centrally

located computer


THE SOLUTION:

• Equip each user with a handheld scanner with barcode software and each location with a barcode label printer

• Provide mobile functionality via the scanner Item Inquiry

• Item Number, Manufacturer Part Number, Description

• Can be expanded to see across the company including on hand quantities

Material Issues and Returns

Transfers

Receipts

Cycle Counts

Barcode Label Print Requests


THE IMPLEMENTATION:

• Ruggedized scanners were selected for the environment

• After an initial pilot, the solution was rolled out to 7 additional locations

across multiple states

• Currently in the process of adding our 11th location

• Each location still has the ability to use their centrally located computer


BENEFITS ACHIEVED

• Data entry occurs once, real-time

• If material needed is not found locally, it only takes a couple of button presses to

show where the material is located across the network, including on hand

quantities

• Can multi-task on the warehouse floor

• Fast, easy, efficient way to Cycle Count material by scanning barcode labels


BACKGROUND:

• The Coal Pier uses conveyor belts to move coal about the property and to

load coal onto ships

• If a conveyor belt were to have a mechanical failure, it is important to

have the specialized parts available to repair the equipment so that

business can continue

• The inventory is stored in an open (unmanned) warehouse

Asset Tracking Using RFIDUse Case 2

CHALLENGES:

• No electronic or paper records when parts were taken out of storage for maintenance jobs

• Without visibility of parts being used, risk of inventory not replenished timely

• Some parts have a significantly long lead time

• Money spent expediting orders for critical parts


THE SOLUTION:

• Tag all high-end parts with rugged RFID tags

• Equip each entrance of the storage building with RFID readers

• System detects when a part leaves the storage building

• System automatically adjusts the part’s on-hand quantity in Oracle ERP and issues the part to the proper account

• Daily report generated on parts usage

• Requires no user interface at the coal pier


IMPLEMENTATION:

• Onsite testing to ensure that the RFID readers were positioned correctly

To successfully read material leaving the facility

To ensure that material was not placed too close to the antennae

• Enclosed the RFID readers to keep them dust free


BENEFITS ACHIEVED:

• Automation of material issue can help ensure inventory accuracy

• Report of material used feeds the manual effort of replenishment

• Avoid/reduce expedited orders for replacement parts


BACKGROUND:

• Teams travel across the railroad network replacing track and can be in a new location every week

• There are a series of machines used to replace track

• A semi trailer (or work equipment trailer) moves with each team, carrying material used to repair the machines

• Not having the right material can cause work delays and schedule overruns, and impact rail curfews

Inventory Management for Remote Work Equipment Trailers

Use Case 3

CHALLENGES:

• 19 Work Equipment Trailers that are stocked from a centrally located warehouse

• Keeping inventory stocked in the trailer was accomplished by the team’s

mechanic faxing in hand-written notes and placing phone calls (double effort)

• Real-time connectivity to the Inventory system was not possible in many cases

due to the remote work locations

• Trailers do not always have a source of power


Use Case 3

THE SOLUTION:

• Equip each mechanic with a handheld scanner – loaded with barcode software that can work in an offline environment

• Equip each mechanic with a laptop with software for syncing the scanner when internet connectivity is available

• Sync functions include:• Update the scanner with current inventory information needed for offline functionality.

• Upload offline transactions to parent system

• Enable Material Issues, Cycle Counts & Item Inquiry


Use Case 3

IMPLEMENTATION:

• Each trailer had to install barcode labels on the inventory bins

• A physical count of the inventory was done to correct any mismatch

between the system and the trailer

• Providing each mechanic with the hardware & software and providing the

training


Use Case 3

BENEFITS ACHIEVED:

• Provided the ability to keep trailer inventory accurate

• Provided the means to utilize automatic order points

• Decreased phone calls spent to communicate material usage and out-of-

stock notifications

• Reduced the need to expedite shipments


Use Case 3

Considerations for Mobile Solutions

People

Software

Hardware

Software

• Seamless integration with Oracle E-Business Suite

• Optimizability to maximize process efficiency

• Real-time data validation at the point of transaction

• Uninterrupted data collection in online/offline environments

• Complete data integrity and visibility

• Turnkey solution (complete with software, wireless data collection devices, and barcode

printing capabilities)

• Low total cost of ownership

Hardware

• Handheld Scanners

• Label Printers

• RFID Readers

• Smartphones

• Tablets

• Laptop

• Vehicle Mounts

• Desktop

Ruggedized vs. Consumer Grade Tablets

• Productivity

• Reliability

• Support

• Security

• Longevity

• Manageability

Low Acquisition Cost

Low Total Ownership Cost

Higher Total Ownership Cost

Rugged Devices Have Unique Functionality

• Barcode Scanner

• RFID Reader

• Magnetic Card Reader

• Weather Proofing

• Glove Touch Mode

• Sunlight Viewable Screen

• Enhanced Battery Life

• Vehicle Mounting

Rugged Devices Provide Extended Security

• Hardening of off-the-shelf Operating Systems

• Encryption of all on-board data

• Device lockdown to prevent user modification

• Theft/Loss prevention to “kill” or recover lost devices

• Communications to secure peripherals (e.g. printing)

Rugged Devices Empower Field Workforces

• Biometrics for user confirmation

• Integrated barcode, RFID readers

• Long-lasting battery

• Drop resistance

• Durability in harsh environments

• Corporate device management/control

• Extended product lifecycles and support

The Right Device – Max ROI, Min TCO

• TCO vs. acquisition cost

• Minimize support

• Maximize manageability

• Durability and repairability

Selection Criteria

• Device acquisition cost

• Network/Connectivity cost

• Application development cost

• User training/Support cost

• Warranty availability, repair cost

• Apps/OS acquisition and upgrade costs

• Device maintenance cost

• Productivity costs – operations, downtime, ease of use

• Opportunity costs – lost sales, unhappy customers, failed

security

Determine True TCO

Success Factors – Beyond Technology

• Clear understanding of AS-IS process and TO-BE vision

• Realistic expectations on ROI

• Corporate buy-in (operations, finance, IT)

• Management support

• Adequate user training

• Overcoming initial fear and resistance to change

• Positive user experience

• Long-term partnership with solution provider(s)

Thank You!

Mobile Apps or ElseAchieving Process Efficiency

Elizabeth Hess

CEO

BullsEye Computing Solutions, Inc.

Kelli Prescott

Manager Information Technology

CSX Technology