Case Studies
Innovatum Solves a Variety of Compliance & Technology Challenges for World-Class Organizations.
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
System: Bar code Mfg. and Distribution
Platform(s): AS/400, PC
This system uses remote, hand held, RF computers to allow operations personnel to perform all distribution and shop floor transactions on the plant floor, as the physical transactions occur. It communicates real-time with an AS/400 and BPCS, sending asynchronous transactions as they occur using the TCP/IP Sockets protocol. No emulation is employed, in order to keep response times very fast, yet there is no middle-tier (e.g. NT) required, thus simplifying system support. The system runs in a 24x7 operation, supporting the following functions: P.O. Receiving; Put-Away, Transfer, Dispatch and Replenishment; QA Sample Adjustments; Customer Order Picking; Manufacturing Issues and Receipts; Shop Order Material Pegging; System-directed, shortest-path Cycle Counting; and full bar code label production throughout the process. Both the client and server functions were designed, coded, and implemented by Innovatum.
System: Bar code Mfg. and Distribution
Platform(s): AS/400, PC
This system uses remote, hand held, RF computers to allow operations personnel to perform all distribution and shop floor transactions on the plant floor, as the physical transactions occur. It communicates real-time with an AS/400 and BPCS, sending asynchronous transactions as they occur using the TCP/IP Sockets protocol. No emulation is employed, in order to keep response times very fast, yet there is no middle-tier (e.g. NT) required, thus simplifying system support. The system runs in a 24x7 operation, supporting the following functions: P.O. Receiving; Put-Away, Transfer, Dispatch and Replenishment; QA Sample Adjustments; Customer Order Picking; Manufacturing Issues and Receipts; Shop Order Material Pegging; System-directed, shortest-path Cycle Counting; and full bar code label production throughout the process. Both the client and server functions were designed, coded, and implemented by Innovatum.
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
System: Customer Returns
Platform(s): AS/400
To overcome the tremendous burden of paperwork and manual communications required to process customer returns of pharmaceutical products, this system automates the customer lookup, historical direct and indirect pricing, billing, and regulatory requirements of the process. (As a quick aside for those unfamiliar with this industry, customers may typically return products up to 2 or 3 years of when they were purchased and receive full credit. In many cases, the return is from a retailer which is not even a customer of the manufacturer. In these instances, an historical link must be established between wholesalers and retail buying groups in order to credit the wholesaler for a pass-along to the end customer). The system also creates automated "action items" that get attached to each return based on its contents. These serve as electronic to-do lists for various individuals in the organization, obviating the need for phone calls or faxes in order to close out the return. This system was designed and developed by Innovatum staff.
System: Customer Returns
Platform(s): AS/400
To overcome the tremendous burden of paperwork and manual communications required to process customer returns of pharmaceutical products, this system automates the customer lookup, historical direct and indirect pricing, billing, and regulatory requirements of the process. (As a quick aside for those unfamiliar with this industry, customers may typically return products up to 2 or 3 years of when they were purchased and receive full credit. In many cases, the return is from a retailer which is not even a customer of the manufacturer. In these instances, an historical link must be established between wholesalers and retail buying groups in order to credit the wholesaler for a pass-along to the end customer). The system also creates automated "action items" that get attached to each return based on its contents. These serve as electronic to-do lists for various individuals in the organization, obviating the need for phone calls or faxes in order to close out the return. This system was designed and developed by Innovatum staff.
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Project: SAP to BPCS Bridge
Platform(s): AS/400, NT
The ENDO Pharmaceutical company which had been spun off from DuPont Pharma, needed to continue utilizing DuPont's Atlanta Distribution Center (ADC). ENDO was implementing SAP as their order entry system, while the ADC was managed by BPCS software. Real-time interfaces were established communicating order data from SAP to BPCS, and updating SAP with shipment information. Software design and implementation was handled by Innovatum personnel. Protocols and training were developed in conjunction with ADC and ENDO management teams.
Project: SAP to BPCS Bridge
Platform(s): AS/400, NT
The ENDO Pharmaceutical company which had been spun off from DuPont Pharma, needed to continue utilizing DuPont's Atlanta Distribution Center (ADC). ENDO was implementing SAP as their order entry system, while the ADC was managed by BPCS software. Real-time interfaces were established communicating order data from SAP to BPCS, and updating SAP with shipment information. Software design and implementation was handled by Innovatum personnel. Protocols and training were developed in conjunction with ADC and ENDO management teams.
Industry: Telecommunication
System: B2B communication
Platform(s): AS/400 NT UNIX
Created an FTP link between CTC and NYNEX. This module was based on NYNEX's electronic interface system which allows resellers of NYNEX products to report line and phone problems to NYNEX. Programs were created to accept screen entry from the Customer Service Reps, convert the data to NYNEX EIF formats, encode and sign the file using ENTRUST, and transmit via FTP to NYNEX. The results of the transmission and any future responses were received back and the CSRs were notified. Provided design, technical review, and project management assistance to CTC MIS management, for other projects
System: B2B communication
Platform(s): AS/400 NT UNIX
Created an FTP link between CTC and NYNEX. This module was based on NYNEX's electronic interface system which allows resellers of NYNEX products to report line and phone problems to NYNEX. Programs were created to accept screen entry from the Customer Service Reps, convert the data to NYNEX EIF formats, encode and sign the file using ENTRUST, and transmit via FTP to NYNEX. The results of the transmission and any future responses were received back and the CSRs were notified. Provided design, technical review, and project management assistance to CTC MIS management, for other projects
Industry: Pharmaceutical
Project: ERP Implementation
Platform(s): AS/400
Joined a team of 12, including Managers, Programmers, and Consultants in implementing the BPCS Customer Service suite of modules. Was given responsibility for constructing two custom modules. The first was the Standing Order System which created 4000 repetitive BPCS orders a week with minimal human intervention. The second was a drug consignment module which included lot traceable history, inventory management, automated billing, and re-supply based on pre-set order points. Tasks included complete design, programming, and supervision of five contractors. Once the above modules were complete, we were asked to coordinate the implementation of the Logistics Pro distribution system. Tasks included design, programming, and coordinating in-house and software vendor resources. New interfaces were written, and BPCS programs modified. Consequently, we were able to update orders into Log Pro automatically, and to perform unattended BPCS confirmation when a shipment was closed in Log Pro. All programming was performed in AS/SET and RPG. At the conclusion of the project, our personnel were retained to provide support and to train DuPont Merck programmers.
Project: ERP Implementation
Platform(s): AS/400
Joined a team of 12, including Managers, Programmers, and Consultants in implementing the BPCS Customer Service suite of modules. Was given responsibility for constructing two custom modules. The first was the Standing Order System which created 4000 repetitive BPCS orders a week with minimal human intervention. The second was a drug consignment module which included lot traceable history, inventory management, automated billing, and re-supply based on pre-set order points. Tasks included complete design, programming, and supervision of five contractors. Once the above modules were complete, we were asked to coordinate the implementation of the Logistics Pro distribution system. Tasks included design, programming, and coordinating in-house and software vendor resources. New interfaces were written, and BPCS programs modified. Consequently, we were able to update orders into Log Pro automatically, and to perform unattended BPCS confirmation when a shipment was closed in Log Pro. All programming was performed in AS/SET and RPG. At the conclusion of the project, our personnel were retained to provide support and to train DuPont Merck programmers.
Industry: Medical
System: Patient Registration and Billing
Platform(s): AS/400, NT, UNIX
Performed analysis, design, and programming as part of Dana Farber's institution wide team to upgrade patient registration systems. Specialized in updating of insurance database residing on AS/400, with registration data maintained on the VAX and communicated through TCP/IP. Acted as Quality Assurance Coordinators for final stages of the project. Modified and enhanced Keane Med patient accounting modules. Managed a project team of six Senior Programmer Analysts in completely revamping the Institute's Billing System as mandated by the Uniform Billing 92 requirements.
System: Patient Registration and Billing
Platform(s): AS/400, NT, UNIX
Performed analysis, design, and programming as part of Dana Farber's institution wide team to upgrade patient registration systems. Specialized in updating of insurance database residing on AS/400, with registration data maintained on the VAX and communicated through TCP/IP. Acted as Quality Assurance Coordinators for final stages of the project. Modified and enhanced Keane Med patient accounting modules. Managed a project team of six Senior Programmer Analysts in completely revamping the Institute's Billing System as mandated by the Uniform Billing 92 requirements.
Industry: Hospitality and Purchasing
System: Turnkey System
Platform(s): AS/400, PC
Arrived at The Hotel Source (THS) at the end of a conversion to the S/38, and a software development project which had badly gone astray. THS, as a result, had nearly gone out of business. Our staff overhauled or newly developed all elements of the turnkey system which serves the central purchasing needs of Sheraton properties. We also assumed all management responsibilities for hardware, software, and operational activities for the system. Based on two user surveys, we were given, each year, a 100% satisfaction rating by the users. Projects of note included:
System: Turnkey System
Platform(s): AS/400, PC
Arrived at The Hotel Source (THS) at the end of a conversion to the S/38, and a software development project which had badly gone astray. THS, as a result, had nearly gone out of business. Our staff overhauled or newly developed all elements of the turnkey system which serves the central purchasing needs of Sheraton properties. We also assumed all management responsibilities for hardware, software, and operational activities for the system. Based on two user surveys, we were given, each year, a 100% satisfaction rating by the users. Projects of note included:
- Software stabilization.
- Quote tracking module and automatic conversion to POs.
- Fully integrated Billing/AP/AR module, rewritten.
- Remote Order Entry by hotels through PC dial in.
- Implementation of disaster recovery and unattended backup.
- Evaluation, and acquisition of AS/400; conversion from S/38.
- PC connectivity and Paradox software development
- Provided ability to automatically fax documents from within AS/400 applications
Industry: Leather Goods Manufacturing
System: Production Planning & Scheduling
Platform(s): IBM Mainframe
This system, built to handle the unique needs of a customer whose SKU's consist of assorted styles and colors of the same model product, had to consider not only the typical inputs of customer orders, forecasts and current inventory, but also historical buying patterns of various alterations. The system would then set the firm production plan (to the style and color level) for two manufacturing sites serving a broad array of distribution facilities throughout the US Innovatum provided the project management and implementation only for this project; all coding was performed by contractors.
System: Production Planning & Scheduling
Platform(s): IBM Mainframe
This system, built to handle the unique needs of a customer whose SKU's consist of assorted styles and colors of the same model product, had to consider not only the typical inputs of customer orders, forecasts and current inventory, but also historical buying patterns of various alterations. The system would then set the firm production plan (to the style and color level) for two manufacturing sites serving a broad array of distribution facilities throughout the US Innovatum provided the project management and implementation only for this project; all coding was performed by contractors.
Industry: Aluminum Can & Lid Production
System: Bar Code Finished Goods Tracking
Platform(s): AS/400, Novell network, PC
This system tracks the production of and produces bar code labels for finished goods as they leave the production line for the warehouse. Internal tracking is performed using the associated bar codes, while shipment notifications are sent electronically to each of the independent distributors and fillers that are part of the customer's network.
System: Bar Code Finished Goods Tracking
Platform(s): AS/400, Novell network, PC
This system tracks the production of and produces bar code labels for finished goods as they leave the production line for the warehouse. Internal tracking is performed using the associated bar codes, while shipment notifications are sent electronically to each of the independent distributors and fillers that are part of the customer's network.
Industry: Pharmaceuticals
Project: Pre-cutover Performance Testing
Platform(s): AS/400
Prior to a major BPCS implementation, we were hired by our client to perform a major study simulating the on-line and batch loads that would be seen on the client's AS/400 systems. Developing automated on-line scripts which manipulated multiple terminal sessions, along with building ROBOT batch job schedules, we were able to simulate over a week of usual- and peak-load performance data for the customer. As a result of the study, the client decided to make an accelerated purchase of a hardware upgrade which averted a major delay in customer service responsiveness with their systems
Project: Pre-cutover Performance Testing
Platform(s): AS/400
Prior to a major BPCS implementation, we were hired by our client to perform a major study simulating the on-line and batch loads that would be seen on the client's AS/400 systems. Developing automated on-line scripts which manipulated multiple terminal sessions, along with building ROBOT batch job schedules, we were able to simulate over a week of usual- and peak-load performance data for the customer. As a result of the study, the client decided to make an accelerated purchase of a hardware upgrade which averted a major delay in customer service responsiveness with their systems