Description
Merit Logistics is the US-based company which provides innovative supply-chain management solutions to large retailers nationwide.
GEM developed and implemented a solution which covered work order management, financial situation reporting, and aligning with regulatory compliance for the logistics services of Merit Logistics.
The system is available as both a web application and a mobile application (for Android and iOS operating system).
Some of the key features of the system are:
- Warehouse management– enhanced control and administration of the warehouse operations
- Work order management – enabled effective tracking and management of all work order information
- Invoice management – automated invoice processing, with increased control
- Timesheet management – an effective way to manage scheduling, jobs, and assets
Challenges
The company wanted to improve its business operations by implementing a single system that would automate key work processes. A prominent IT solution company failed in delivering the satisfactory solution, and Merit Logistics decided to award the project to GEM. The fact that a big IT company failed to deliver satisfactory solution meant we had a huge challenge on our hands.
The next challenge appeared in the coordination between the client and the project team. It caused problems in following the indicated processes as per initial agreement.
The project required a deep understanding of the processes and regulations in logistics. To be able to deliver a fully functional solution with requested features, our team had to further develop their knowledge of logistics operations
Solutions
The fact that a big IT company failed to deliver satisfactory solution meant we had a huge challenge on our hands. To make sure that the failure wouldn't also happen to us, we had daily meetings with the client, to confirm that we were on the right track in following the solution requirements and set milestones, to clarify uncertainties, and to present the next steps.
To solve the problems in coordination between the client and the project team, we revised our working process and agreed with the client that apart from the regular daily updates, each side would raise any question that appeared. To make the project course entirely transparent to the client, we were updating all information on JIRA on a daily basis and gave the client full access.
Only with a deep understanding of the processes and regulations in logistics, we could deliver the satisfactory solution. We asked the client to train our project team in logistics operations and even went on-site to learn. In developing every new module or feature of the system, we asked about its purpose and the process behind. Such approach ensured that we delivered exactly what the client expected, and beyond.
Achievements
The new system provided the client with all required features, making his operations faster, more transparent and less time-consuming. The client's satisfaction with the delivered solution resulted in granting GEM a new, bigger project with millions of dollars in value.