Business Process Re-engineering for operational efficiencies

Amtrak helps Alps manage inventories efficiently

Alps Industries Limited wanted a more efficient system of managing its inventory for its window coverings division. The company manufactures, amongst others, vertical and venetian blinds that are made-to-order and receives orders for hundreds of such blinds every day. Orders are received from its countrywide marketing network that further compounds the problems of coordination and logistics.

We carried out a detailed process study and devised an innovative system for resolving all the issues. We retained a software company to develop the necessary software and implemented the same. Christened Vista Fast Track, it followed the work flow concept. The software provided for receipt of detailed orders from the dealers through the Internet, their credit control clearance, immediate information to production, and subsequent dispatch of the order. At each stage, the system provided for the customer to be kept fully informed of the order status. This Order Processing System was then integrated with standard material consumption for determination of variances between actual and standard usage of all components.

The client stood to gain substantially from efficient customer relations, better internal coordination, reduced cost of communication with dealers and close monitoring of the material consumption.