Recommendations

 Recommendations - Structured Process

    One recommendation that we believe would help streamline workflow and facilitate a more efficient structured process would be the implementation of SAP software into this process. SAP would help mitigate some of the issues found within the structured process. As we learned throughout this class, SAP software helps with a variety of problems a company might face, including efficiency, collaboration, data management, and compliance.

    For Wakefern specifically, the implementation of SAP software would help streamline a number of different actions required throughout different transactions. First, it would streamline the quote creation process for the Expeditor. SAP would also help by evaluating the on hand and incoming inventory, and once the evaluation is completed, SAP is able to alert the Expeditor of any potential issues with the inventory. Potential issues with inventory include stockouts, backorders, etc. Once the quote creation process is complete, the inventory evaluation is complete, and the order is clear, transportation will also flow through SAP. The ability for all of these actions to flow through one software helps solve the issue of information silos arising. Information silos are an issue that can lead to the misuse, or no use at all, of potentially important information. The barriers that arise from information silos can affect all areas of the company. The ability for multiple departments to effectively communicate, collaborate, and keep all information together in one database helps alleviate the potential for these silos to emerge. ERP software like SAP, if implemented, will effectively eliminate the potential for miscommunications, as every process will be able to be completed on one database.

Structured Process Context Diagram - “Ought To Be”

Structured Process “Ought To Be” BMPN Flow Chart

 Recommendations - Dynamic Process

    SAP or other business intelligence companies can also help Wakefern improve their dynamic processes as well. When overviewing this company, specifically the dynamic process, one issue came up with the prospect of growing new business and finding new customers. Analyzing the data of potential new clients is a tedious and time consuming task.  For example, if you are doing an item file match, exact UPC hits are quick but when there are a few thousand items without an exact hit, it will take hours, if not days to go through each one manually. Going through all of these criteria by hand is an inefficient way to analyze the data, and leads to various issues, including disorganized data and human error. Disorganized data is a problem that can affect many different aspects of this process, and leads to ineffective use of time. Human error is another problem caused by this method. When combing through thousands of entries of potential matches, there are bound to be mistakes made such as missing a perfect match or incorrectly finding a wrong match. For example, many times one retailer may carry a 120oz bottle of detergent but Wakefern will carry a 125oz bottle of detergent. Same brand, just a slightly different size. This is technically a “like item” but with a different UPC.

    This problem can be resolved with the implementation of business intelligence software such as SAP or MicroStrategy. These systems could help in a variety of ways. One way these systems can affect this problem is by eliminating the human error associated with combing through matches. By automating this process, the potential for experiencing mistakes is minimized. Another way these systems can help with this problem is by the time it will save as compared to manually combing through potential customers. As previously stated, combing through thousands of items can take hours, if not days to go through each one manually. Implementing a business intelligence system like SAP or MicroStrategy will save countless hours of inefficient time wasting, streamlining the process exponentially.

    Another way a business intelligence system can positively impact the dynamic process of Wakefern is by using it to advise customers of what they should be offering. The manual process of advising customers is also a daunting task, as it takes time to manually review each customers’ specific wants and needs with their respective situations. With software like SAP or MicroStrategy, this problem can be automated. These softwares can make suggestions for companies on products based on the respective size of their stores, geographic location, target market or clientele, and many more criteria. With this software, advising customers can be quicker, more efficient, and more tailored to the client’s needs.

Dynamic Process Context Diagram - “Ought To Be”

Dynamic Process “Ought To Be” BMPN Flow Chart