Management and Supply Chain Consulting

» Planning/Strategic Plan Formulation
We strongly believe that the benefits of planning reside as much in the process itself as in the resulting plan. So we suggest that, whenever practical, our planning assignments be set up as joint efforts with the client. That way, the business insights generated along the way become part of the organization's internal resources. “Throw out the plan, but keep the planner” is only mild hyperbole. Our planning assignments have been conducted at both the parent and subordinate unit levels, on both an organization-wide and function-specific basis.

» Feasibility Studies/Investment Due Diligence
TranSystems has broad experience in supporting governmental and private entities with comprehensive feasibility studies, both in North America and in other parts of the world. The projects have encompassed port development in developing countries, evaluation of new transportation alternatives in growing markets, assessment of infrastructure changes and regional environmental regulations and policies. The scope of the studies has included financial analysis, operational improvements, capital development, market approach and strategic planning. Solutions provided include local, national and international regulatory, economic and industry trends; commodity throughput forecasts by transportation mode and origin/destination; operating costs and revenues; need for new infrastructure and services; transportation users' service requirements and logistics chain impact; marketing strategies; new business opportunities and critical issues for success; and capital investment analysis.

» Market Research/Perception Studies
We have performed perception studies for a wide range of clients in transportation and logistics: carriers, equipment manufacturers, equipment lessors, information systems providers and shippers. The results have provided valuable insight into our clients' competitive strengths and weaknesses and their customers' needs, expectations, and reactions to new or planned initiatives. TranSystems adds a unique dimension to perception studies with our comprehensive understanding of the critical issues of logistics generally, and transportation particularly. TranSystems uses segmentation, sampling and interviewing to support detailed analyses. Segmentation of the client's market highlights key differences: in how various groups of customers buy, in their needs and requirements and in their appraisal of the client and other providers.

» Supply Chain Strategy
What is keeping your company’s C-level executives up at night? Warehouse layout? The latest developments in bar code, RFID or voice technology? Supply chain execution systems? Not likely. More likely, your most senior executives are concerned about market differentiation, trading partner collaboration, product life cycles, new product development, revenues, margins, return on assets, shareholder value, Sarbanes Oxley compliance, cost containment including healthcare and workers compensation; and, possibly, threats such as offshore competition and homeland security. The challenge for supply chain executives is showing how logistics infrastructure performance improvement will address these concerns – in a manner that will resonate with leadership all the way to the board level.

» Supply Chain Management
We have a broad range of experience in analyzing, improving or radically changing the supply chain of products moving from origin to destination for beneficial owners, carriers and Third Party Providers. This rounded experience and varied client mix enables us to understand what is needed (the shippers' view), what is possible (the carriers' view), and what could be (the third party view). Logistics and supply chain assignments range in perspective from narrow to broad depending on the needs of the client. Thus an engagement could have one of the following work products or a whole menu of work products, aimed at optimizing a complete supply chain system: supply chain component strategy, process flow analysis, order cycle analysis, international logistics, refrigerated supply chain studies; modal selection, information technology, inventory strategy, third party strategies.

» China Logistics Assignments
Our transportation and logistics experience in China includes project work for shipping lines, third party service providers, equipment manufacturers, shippers and consignees, as well as actual operating assignments of its principals. The work has focused on providing innovative, yet practical solutions to the challenges that participants face in this developing market. Our expertise has allowed us to assist clients in making better strategic decisions, whether for investment, tactical operations or business planning purposes.

» Simulation and Modeling
Our passion is to help clients solve critical, real-world problems by applying unique simulation based software technology, to help achieve bottom line results. Over 15 years of experience has allowed us to develop, test, and perfect a core project methodology, designed to efficiently deliver custom solutions to clients. Simulation and modeling tools can make invaluable contributions throughout conceptual and detailed handling system design by validating that the design of the facility layout, material handling equipment and operational processes will meet specific throughput and service level requirements. This is also brought about by quantifying the appropriate type, number and configuration of material handling components necessary to meet objectives; by identifying unknown dependencies within a particular design that can only be seen through dynamic modeling of order volume within the anticipated material flow paths at target vertical and horizontal transportation rates; and by optimizing the final design by highlighting critical adjustments that can be made in order to keep the system balanced over the range of throughput fluctuations.

» Production Simulation and Modeling
The production operation is one of the most important components in an organizations' supply chain. Understanding how proposed changes or new facilities will operate, and how they will be affected by other components of their supply chain, is critical to success. Using our analytical modeling approach, we can help clients upgrade facility designs, forecast inventory and staffing levels to meet production requirements, and increase the efficiency of production operations. The process allows us to help address many specific questions and concerns.

» Distribution Simulation and Modeling
Our approach to distribution simulation solutions is to create visibility for our clients into the future of their facility operations and processes. Using the power of advanced simulation techniques and modeling software, we create a "virtual world" model of a facility, equipment, operations and workers. Our team then uses the model to facilitate discussions by testing proposed changes, upgrades and "what if" scenarios. This demonstrates to clients how a facility will respond to change and operate under speculative situations. Critical questions and concerns are answered through analyzing simulation experiments with the model, leaving the real facility and ongoing operations undisturbed.

» Transportation Solutions Modeling
TranSystems has a focused intermodal transportation modeling practice. This includes marine and inland terminals as well as port/harbor regional terminals that connect multiple terminal facilities with rail and other infrastructure. Every transportation system, whether it is a single terminal or a regional network, must be able to service demand peaks and provide desired level-of-service. With simulation modeling, you can analyze which infrastructure and resource requirements are needed to support projected demands and determine if adequate capacity is provided.

» Facility Master Planning
Every successful effort requires a plan. So, too, for facilities. To define the goal and reach it with a viable solution, a facility design master plan is required. Using a design year database, we review various options and then recommend the ideal integrated system to maximize your facility's cube utilization, efficiency, and flexibility. By plotting out the best course for your system and building requirements, the master plan becomes a road map that leads your facility to its final destination. After the master plan has been established, our system and facility planners are joined by detailed system and facility designers selected to successfully address the unique needs of your project.

» Facility Architecture and Engineering
TranSystems has distinguished itself as an industry leader in planning, design and construction because of our integrated approach. Each player on the TranSystems team is dedicated and experienced in his or her own field. Assembled in multi-disciplined teams, they are uniquely qualified to serve your needs with creative, innovative solutions and technical expertise. Well-practiced both domestically and abroad, our versatile staff brings an unmatched level of expertise. We provide total facility planning and design, from architectural design to all facets of mechanical, electrical, civil and structural engineering design, existing facility and system evaluations and upgrades, and code assessment and compliance. From Fortune 500 companies to regional manufacturers, processors or distributors, our experience reaches across a host of industries.

» Refrigeration/ Thermal Envelope
A leader in ammonia refrigeration systems and alternate refrigerants, TranSystems is also a leader in related process safety and risk management program assessment, problem solving, system evaluation and conversion design. We offer all the essentials to keep the cold where you want it, including floor lowering, vapor barrier and thermal insulation integrity evaluation.

» Material Handling
TranSystems implements master planning to increase productivity, improve space utilization and maximize return on investment. Logistics needs are identified and the optimum system designed and implemented. Whatever the level of automation, our material handling and computer support engineers can facilitate total integration through design.

» Inventory Stocking Optimization
Managing and optimizing inventory levels is fundamental to supply chain excellence. Poorly planned inventory levels can be extremely costly to an organization’s bottom line and have a very real “trickle down” effect on other aspects of the business. Excessive inventories can lead to a strain on cash flow, additional costly warehouse space and inefficient performance of logistics operations. Overly lean inventory levels can lead to customer service issues and higher transportation costs from expedited shipments. The ability to optimize inventory and stock reach to the individual item level for each distribution center in the network will reduce overall costs and, in most cases, enhance customer service levels.

» Operations
The best supply chain technology installed in operations with ill-conceived material flows and processes will only enable users to do things badly – faster. Optimal supply chain practices focus upon matching material and data flow as transactions occur. The challenge is to craft a fulfillment and delivery infrastructure that meets these needs at a cost that won’t break the corporate bank. The currently popular approach to supply chain management places enormous emphasis upon information systems with often too little attention paid to the physical infrastructure. Clearly optimal supply chain management cannot exist without information technology and systems. However, information systems cannot be designed in a vacuum. Launching an initiative without a hard look at facility layout, handling systems and methods will almost certainly produce a sub-optimal implementation.

» Best Practices
Best practices and continuous performance measurement are fundamental to sustaining fulfillment and delivery excellence. The challenge is in defining the metrics that will accurately characterize performance in those areas that are relevant to your operations and will differentiate a company from its competition. The process begins with development of profiles of current performance in order and inventory management, customer service, warehousing, transportation, and more. TranSystems provides a step-by-step approach for analysis of current metrics such as order cycle times, inventory accuracy and costs per order shipped.

» Strategic Facility Design
Are your facilities sized, configured and equipped to support your supply chain strategy? What are the tradeoffs between automation and additional staffing? Can deployment of Automatic Identification and Data Collection (AIDC) reduce equipment and staffing requirements, speed material flow and improve accuracy? TranSystems will work with you to address these questions, analyze alternatives and develop layouts and material handling designs that work to support your requirements, both today and into the future. Our seasoned team of consultants and engineers will help you to identify the most cost-effective, practical solutions and then support their implementation.

» Slotting
Warehouse location sizing and inventory deployment based upon activity profiles directly impact space utilization, travel and search times, forward pick zone efficiency and replenishment frequency. TranSystems will work with you to profile item/SKU activity (including seasonal variations) and storage and pick slot locations and sizing. Using slotting tools, we will help you to evaluate alternative deployment scenarios and replenishment schemes to optimize productivity and throughput.

» Operations Software Integration and Implementation
TranSystems’ implementation teams are experts at providing direct, hands-on project management, technical design, system configuration, development, host system and material handling subsystem integration, testing, training, installation, and start-up support services for operations management.

» Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
Many TranSystems’ associates began their supply chain careers working on large, complex Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) projects. Our credentials include experience with over 15 WMS packages including the top, “best of breed” software providers as well as the WM modules of the leading ERP providers. We have led implementations in facilities that range in size from 20,000 sq. ft. to 2.5 million sq. ft. and 1,400 users. We have designed and managed implementations for distribution centers containing extensive automation such as AS/RS, tilt-tray sorters, AGVs, carousels, pick-to-light and conveyors, to more conventional lift truck and pallet jack environments.

» Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
The Transportation Management Systems (TMS) experience of TranSystems’ staff dates back to the mid-1980s. Building upon this considerable background, we have honed our skills and refined our methodology to create the most effective deployment process in the supply chain consulting industry. Our credentials include experience with the leading TMS packages including the top, “best of breed” software providers as well as the TM modules of the leading ERP providers.

» Labor Management Systems (LMS)
TranSystems’ expertise with Labor Management Systems (LMS) includes the deployment of leading commercial software packages as well as the development of customized labor management software solutions. Our professionals have more than 30 years of LMS experience with over 200 successful engagements, including projects in grocery, retail, 3rd party logistics (3PL), food manufacturing, food service, wholesale apparel and other industries.

» Yard Management Systems (YMS)
TranSystems has led many engagements that improve the efficiency of supply chain operations incorporating Yard Management Systems (YMS). YMS applications often generate significant efficiency gains and dramatically improve the overall throughput of distribution centers through the tight sequencing and control of yard activity.

» Distributed Order Management (DOM)
The key to providing world-class order fill and meeting the growing demands of customers is often the deployment of a Distributed Order Management (DOM) system to manage multiple orders from many sources across different channels. With DOM, you not only have a dynamic view of inventory at each of your distribution locations, but also in the pipeline to synchronize fulfillment with actual demand and ensure optimal customer service. Our experience with the integration and deployment of DOM applications can lead to improved inventory optimization, faster order cycle times and the reduction of overall supply chain costs.

» Systems Support and Maintenance
Our skills and expertise with supply chain systems extends to providing support and maintenance for many clients across several commercial software packages. Our capabilities include the 24/7 support of commercially developed software as well as custom developed applications. TranSystems currently provides support and maintenance for MARC ES, Uniteq, IBM’s AS/400 DS, EXCEED 2000 and others. As the supply chain application software market continues to consolidate we are uniquely positioned to provide support and maintenance for clients faced with a decision either for an expensive upgrade or to “go it alone.”

» LEAN Operations: Manufacturing, Business, and Supply Chain
Making the change to become a LEAN Enterprise is no easy task. It takes vision, knowledge, and a long term commitment. But those who choose it are rewarded with the achievement of desired results. We will guide your team to achieve the results that matter the most to your company and your customers. A LEAN Enterprise analysis will help your team evaluate where your company stands today in its knowledge of LEAN and the opportunity gap that lies ahead. LEAN implementation begins with strategy development and deployment that will build or review your company’s strategic plan for deployment to all levels of the organization. Value Stream Mapping then visually identifies the impact of "waste" in your organization or processes. Once the "waste" has been exposed, we can then facilitate the use of LEAN tools such as Kaizen, Workplace Organization (5S), Standard Work, Setup Reduction, Kanban, TPM, and A3 Problem Solving to make the needed improvements while teaching your team how to maintain continuous improvement. For more information about TranSystems’ LEAN operations, visit www.tag.bz.