Pallet Reconciliation Pallet Reconciliation ProjectProject

Thomas VaughnThomas Vaughn

OverviewOverview

• Project descriptionProject description– RoadblocksRoadblocks

– Solution- Short term and long termSolution- Short term and long term

• Learning achievedLearning achieved

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PalletPallet

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TerminologyTerminology

• CHEP-Company that supplies CHEP-Company that supplies pallets to Colgatepallets to Colgate

• GTL-Global Transaction Listing- The GTL-Global Transaction Listing- The report that comes from CHEPreport that comes from CHEP

• SAP-Standard Application Program-SAP-Standard Application Program-The form of report that Colgate The form of report that Colgate usesuses

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Pallet Reconciliation ProjectPallet Reconciliation Project

• Overhaul of a current databaseOverhaul of a current database

• Database was custom designed for Database was custom designed for Colgate in 2002Colgate in 2002

• No longer functioningNo longer functioning

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Purpose of DatabasePurpose of Database

• Used to reconcile pallet order Used to reconcile pallet order deliveries to facilitydeliveries to facility

• Ensure that Colgate is not paying Ensure that Colgate is not paying for pallets that have not been for pallets that have not been receivedreceived– Last year Colgate was charged for Last year Colgate was charged for

9000 pallets that they could not verify 9000 pallets that they could not verify were received at the facilitywere received at the facility

– Total cost- $27.50 per pallet x 9000 Total cost- $27.50 per pallet x 9000 pallets= pallets= $247,500$247,500

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RoadblocksRoadblocks

• Too much time getting information Too much time getting information from Logistics leader from Logistics leader

• Nobody knew when or really why Nobody knew when or really why database no longer functioneddatabase no longer functioned

• No written user guides for No written user guides for database, just a few notes from database, just a few notes from several different people on “post it several different people on “post it notes”notes”

• CHEP getting ready to change CHEP getting ready to change format of reports again format of reports again (Implementing SAP)(Implementing SAP)

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Problems with Current Problems with Current DatabaseDatabase

• No standard written user guide, no No standard written user guide, no one really remembers how to use itone really remembers how to use it

• CHEP changed formatting of CHEP changed formatting of reports sent to Colgatereports sent to Colgate

• Database unable to decipher Database unable to decipher needed order numbers for needed order numbers for reconciliation reconciliation

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GTL FormatGTL Format

PresentPresentWhen database was When database was designeddesigned

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Solution(Short Term)Solution(Short Term)

• Use Excel to compare two lists of Use Excel to compare two lists of datadata– Convert reports from CHEP and Convert reports from CHEP and

Colgate into Excel Colgate into Excel

– Create a comparison using formulas in Create a comparison using formulas in ExcelExcel

– This flags the orders that do not match This flags the orders that do not match between reports between reports

– These “mismatches” can be These “mismatches” can be investigatedinvestigated

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Solution(Long Term)Solution(Long Term)

• Once CHEP has successfully Once CHEP has successfully implemented SAP, update database implemented SAP, update database to recognize this formatto recognize this format– I sent CHEP a copy of Colgate’s SAP I sent CHEP a copy of Colgate’s SAP

report and they are supposed to make report and they are supposed to make sure their report includes the same sure their report includes the same informationinformation

– This should be fairly simple since This should be fairly simple since Colgate already uses SAPColgate already uses SAP

– CHEP and Colgate reports will be in CHEP and Colgate reports will be in same format since both using SAPsame format since both using SAP

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What Did I Learn?What Did I Learn?

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Learning OutcomeLearning Outcome

• Computer ProgramsComputer Programs– Access- allows you to quickly track, Access- allows you to quickly track,

report and share information in a report and share information in a manageable environmentmanageable environment

– Visio- Allows you to make diagrams Visio- Allows you to make diagrams easier and fastereasier and faster

– Visual Basic-What the program behind Visual Basic-What the program behind Colgate’s database is written inColgate’s database is written in

– Excel- Used to create the comparison Excel- Used to create the comparison formulasformulas

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Learning Outcomes Learning Outcomes

• DatabasesDatabases

– ConstructionConstruction

– FunctionFunction

– ModificationModification

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Learning Outcome Learning Outcome

• How to research a problem with How to research a problem with little information and find a little information and find a workable solutionworkable solution

• How to overcome hurdlesHow to overcome hurdles

• How to work through frustration How to work through frustration and remain focused on end resultand remain focused on end result

• How to step outside of your How to step outside of your comfort zone and work somewhat comfort zone and work somewhat over your abilityover your ability

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User GuidesUser Guides

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DatabaseDatabase

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Questions?Questions?