Riordan Manufacturing Inc. is a worldwide leader in plastic manufacturing industry and provide solutions to customers with polymer materials. The company offers various manufacturing facilities in both China and United States. The growing structure and functions are also increasing the needs of Riordan Manufacturing Inc. departments. There are separate systems and application packages for every department so the organization has to outsource many of its functions. Because of outsourced functions, the organization lose major part of its control in decision-making. Furthermore, the management cannot drive functions according to the requirements and it increases the costs too. In order to compete with the competitors in the market and keep the functions up to date, Riordan Manufacturing aims to introduce advance technological systems that could help in reducing the costs, standardization, and unification of data, and increased profits and growth. In addition, the company strives for establishing long-term customer relationships.
The current Riordan Manufacturing IT & security system is outdated. Each department of the organization has separate systems and files are stored manually at separate locations; however, it requires a centralized system that can be accessed by the users of all departments. This centralized system can significantly help in improving the functions effectiveness. This project is aimed at improving the inventory management system of the organization. Since, the inventory management system of the Riordan Manufacturing is also obsolete and incapable of managing inventory effectively. The current inventory system of the organization use basic computer programs and manual charts to manage inventory; however, it requires advance computer systems and programs to carry out functions efficiently (Russel, 2007).
In addition to reduction in costs, new inventory system of Riordan Manufacturing would also help in increasing efficiency by sending automatic alerts. The system will also provide ease to the users by establishing an interface for all other departments and organization plants. This improved inventory management system will use smart handheld devices, bar code scanners, and user-friendly computer interfaces.
Riordan Manufacturing would reconstruct manual handling processes by means of Apriso’s FlexNet Warehouse Program. The new inventory management system will ensure that inventory is on hand whenever it is required. FlexNet Warehouse will improve inventory control requirements, satisfy customer demands, and eliminate paperwork. It will help organization enterprises with complete control over warehouse operations. The workload on the employees would be reduced with automatic systems, and help in reducing errors, improving cycling time, and generating simplified reports. FlexNet also offers Android and iOS services; therefore, Riordan Manufacturing Inc. users can use the program over their mobile devices as well.
In a new inventory system process, first order is received through the client, imputed in the FlexNet Warehouse System and then the customer order will be forwarded to the supplier electronically. The supplier will confirm and respond back through same medium. The amount of raw material received will be recorded into the inventory system using handheld devices. When the final order is manufactured, barcodes are affixed on each product and then scanned automatically. After the manufacturing process is complete, sales department record orders into customer shipping and billing system.
References
Apriso. (2010, June 24). Apriso Success Stories. Retrieved from Apriso: http://www.apriso.com/library/success_stories/Apriso-AmcorPETSS.pdf
Apriso. (2010, June 24). Apriso Success Stories. Retrieved from Apriso: http://www.apriso.com/library/success_stories/Apriso-AmcorSS.pdf
Apriso. (2012). Industry Standards Compliant. Retrieved from Apriso: http://www.apriso.com/products/flexnet_platform/industry_standards_compliant.php
Russel, S. (2007). Supply Chain Management: More Than Integrated Logistics. Air Force Journal Of Logistics, 56-63.
