BOUGHEY DISTRIBUTION ERP IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT As the workshops approach…. June 25, 2010
Posted by Boughey Distribution SAP Implementation Project in Grocery Distribution - ERP Software.add a comment
Friday 25th June 2010
As the workshops approach….
- Optimisation and Vehicle Tracking confirmed – implementation time estimated 10 – 12 weeks from kickoff meeting
- Optimisation software hosting decision to be made
- Mapping approach changes to “plan B” which will generally mean working damn hard during the workshops. Looking at the progression the main outstanding area is the area covered outside SAP (Load Planning) . I think the involvement of myself and IT during these workshops will compensate enough to get us through it but I expect extra work required during the realisation phase to ensure the consultants stay on track.
- Revised costs received for RF – They have increased due to yearly update so we are in the process of re-negotiating
- Initial draft plan for mapping work required at approx 90days and hope to include training of in this figure
- Installation of the DEV system has been completed by Chelford and we have setup remote connectivity for the realisation phase.
- Installation of the IDES (Demo) system has been started
- I have requested a site visit for Optimisation/Tracking to get our users in front of like minding individuals for a open session on pitfalls et al
- Asked Chelford for a site visit to a customer running SAP PI for purely interest at this stage
- I have spent sessions with both the transport and loading teams and had a good insight of their processes
All key personnel must attend the workshops which are in approx 3 day blocks.
These are a NO EXCUSE scenario I’m afraid.
This is the only time we will get to advise Chelford of the requirements and the only opportunity to make up for the lack of mapping.
They have been ordered appropriately so that those who have made least progress in the mapping will have some extra time to prepare.
Outstanding tasks
- Agree 3rd party suppliers for RF
- Kickoff buy-in meetings
- Plan to inform customers
- Lockdown relevant holidays
- Archive Plan
- Training Plan
Commentary
Budget
Pending until contracts with 3rd parties agreed
Time
We are generally behind where we thought we’d be in relation to kick starting non-SAP projects. This is not immediately causing concern as there is slack in the plan, but we are aware that this slack, therefore, is getting tighter as time ticks on.
Risks
IT Resource Reliance
Poor requirement collection due to incomplete mapping processes
JB Next Steps…
Add 3rd parties to project plan
Install IDES
BOUGHEY DISTRIBUTION ERP IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT As the kick-off meeting approaches June 18, 2010
Posted by Boughey Distribution SAP Implementation Project in Grocery Distribution - ERP Software.add a comment
Friday 18th June 2010
As the kick-off meeting approaches we concentrate on ensuring that the current business processes are mapped out and complete.
- Mapping progress – no attendance from areas outside Danny/Sally this week
- JB in next week to attend meetings with 3rd party suppliers to close deals
- Decision on whether to add RFID to warehouses 1-10 – trade off between extra processes to accommodate no connection versus hardware costs (quote due next week)
- VPN access needs to be setup to allow remote access to all external consultants
- Decision to keep workshop plan regardless of mapping progress – this will potentially mean a lower standard of knowledge transfer leading to either increased development time for Chelford or requirements not met correctly.
Outstanding tasks
- Agree 3rd party suppliers for RF, Load Optimisation/Resource Management
- Kickoff buy-in meetings
- Plan to inform customers
- Lockdown relevant holidays
- Archive Plan
- Training Plan
- Compile running costs spreadsheet for analysis
Commentary
Budget
Increase in terminal count for RFID from original quote – awaiting impact
Time
Staged approach will extend go-live
Risks
IT Resource Reliance
Poor requirement collection due to incomplete mapping processes OR project delay due to reworking workshops
For next week…
- Start knowledge transfer
- Add 3rd parties to project plan after agreement this week
BOUGHEY DISTRIBUTION ERP IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT Weekly Progress Update June 11, 2010
Posted by Boughey Distribution SAP Implementation Project in Grocery Distribution - ERP Software.add a comment
Friday 11th June 2010
New items discussed this week:
- Outline plan constructed – in first stages as there is only a tentative addition for RF supplier (not confirmed costs/timescales) and no addition for other projects as yet.
- Weighing up the options of bringing the first go-live forward a couple of weeks to compensate staged go-live – needs more discussion.
- Current process mapping has slipped slightly but still projected to be finished before workshops.
- KICK-OFF MEETING 28/06/2010 WITH THE WORKSHOPS STARTING THE FOLLOWING WEEK –
Outstanding tasks
- Agree 3rd party suppliers for RF, Load Optimisation/Resource Management
- Start data migration project
- Kickoff buy-in meetings
- Plan to inform customers
- Lockdown relevant holidays
- Archive Plan
- Training Plan
Commentary
Budget
None
Time
Staged approach will extend go-live
Risks
IT Resource Reliance
Workshop delay if mapping not progressed to an acceptable standard
For next weeks…
Start knowledge transfer
Finish initial project plan
BOUGHEY DISTRIBUTION ERP IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT Weekly Progress Update June 4, 2010
Posted by Boughey Distribution SAP Implementation Project in Grocery Distribution - ERP Software.add a comment
Friday 4th June 2010
Weekly Progress Update
Over the last week new items are discussed and I distribute these points to the directors for review. I also structure weekly feedback to highlight the main areas of concern, namely Budget, Time and Risks.
- Stocktake requirements give heavy weighting to a staged go-live approach – it seems sensible therefore to split between warehouses/customers to give us 3/4 go-lives. Initially I think that this would lead to a go-live stretched over approx 6weeks. This is due to a no-downtime situation and that we need to have an accurate stock count before WM is used.
- Moving closer to committing to the transportation project to pre-SAP, which I suggest it would need a go-live around August to fit the resource requirements particularly around IT. Meeting arranged for 16th June, and subject to costs/agreement we would move immediately on this. Initially all projects were to go-live together but we feel there is an opportunity to implement transport fleet management early. Although this requires integration work to the existing Axapta system it will minimise risk/complication for SAP go-live.
- IDES system to be installed locally to give the internal IT team an initial view of basis requirements going forward.
- IT resource to be present alongside PM in workshops to ensure peripheral processes, that end users may not be aware of, are included.
- BizTalk upgrade to go-live to coincide with SAP go-live as we believe there are no advantages to any other option – indeed we believe this gives us an opportunity to train the internal IT team.
We have a meeting to discuss of wireless networking of the warehouse in order to facilitate handheld device driven functionality. The headlines regarding the RF part of the project…
- To retain the “look and feel” of the existing solution to aid cross working of warehouse staff – plus this system has a proven “usability” history.
- SAP console ruled out as an option due to its appearance.
- That an online and offline solution require separate effort and costs accordingly – therefore we need to decide whether we are networking all warehouses and maintaining a common procedure or introducing warehouse specific procedures. Indeed offline procedures need to be considered should a hardware failure occur.
- That it would be beneficial for the development to start after the configuration of SAP so that the warehouse procedures have been defined and agreed.
- Put Away, Picking, Despatch, Stocktake, Stock Transfers identified as solutions required
- Stocktake to be implemented in order to facilitate the smooth transition to SAP WM rather than treat as a “phase 2”
- Training plan to be devised
- Initial estimate of 30-50 days of implementation costs subject to blueprint (Man days) and will be a fixed one-off cost.
- Licensing of software has 3 parts – one-off software cost, a cost per device and then a maintenance fee that will be a proportion of these 2 costs.
- Requires a small server to host software
- Functionality available to suit a small production line – phase 2 potential for “packing room”
- Has been certified on the Boughey SAP release
- Quote will be for 51 VMT and 18 Handhelds.
- Availability of additional software that will manage the remote devices (not just the software which will be included).
Outstanding tasks
- Start data migration project
- Kickoff buy-in meetings
- Plan to inform customers
- Lockdown relevant holidays
- Archive Plan
- Training Plan
Commentary
Budget
As we are waiting on final numbers from all suppliers I have no comment yet.
Time
If we adopt the staged approach starting the 4th April I would expect the end of the “go-live phase to change to approx 9th May 2011, or we bring the first one forward.
Risks
Initially, I feel we are seeing an increased reliance on IT for go-live (BizTalk, Process knowledge, RF infrastructure) that may cause concern with the number of effective fire fighters we have available; Concerns particularly around the guys with business knowledge. We will “spread” the knowledge as much possible and include other staff where we feel appropriate. This is no different to the norm where we have a small IT department and lots of custom developments, but any changes in availability nearer the time would be a potential issue. Further comment when the expected implementation times of 3rd party projects etc are known.
For next week…
- Start knowledge transfer of business process to JB (Jon Brooks)
- Compile initial project plan with Chelford
