Pallet Reconciliation Project Thomas Vaughn Overview Project descriptionProject description Roadblocks Solution- Short term and long term Learning achievedLearning achieved 2 Pallet 3 Terminology CHEP-Company that supplies pallets to ColgateCHEP-Company that supplies pallets to Colgate GTL-Global Transaction Listing- The report that comes from CHEPGTL-Global Transaction Listing- The report that comes from CHEP SAP-Standard Application Program- The form of report that Colgate usesSAP-Standard Application Program- The form of report that Colgate uses 4 Pallet Reconciliation Project Overhaul of a current databaseOverhaul of a current database Database was custom designed for Colgate in 2002Database was custom designed for Colgate in 2002 No longer functioningNo longer functioning 5 Purpose of Database Used to reconcile pallet order deliveries to facilityUsed to reconcile pallet order deliveries to facility Ensure that Colgate is not paying for pallets that have not been receivedEnsure that Colgate is not paying for pallets that have not been received Last year Colgate was charged for 9000 pallets that they could not verify were received at the facility Total cost- $27.50 per pallet x 9000 pallets= $247,500 6 Roadblocks Too much time getting information from Logistics leaderToo much time getting information from Logistics leader Nobody knew when or really why database no longer functionedNobody knew when or really why database no longer functioned No written user guides for database, just a few notes from several different people on post it notesNo written user guides for database, just a few notes from several different people on post it notes CHEP getting ready to change format of reports again (Implementing SAP)CHEP getting ready to change format of reports again (Implementing SAP) 7 Problems with Current Database No standard written user guide, no one really remembers how to use itNo standard written user guide, no one really remembers how to use it CHEP changed formatting of reports sent to ColgateCHEP changed formatting of reports sent to Colgate Database unable to decipher needed order numbers for reconciliationDatabase unable to decipher needed order numbers for reconciliation 8 GTL Format Present When database was designed 9 Solution(Short Term) Use Excel to compare two lists of dataUse Excel to compare two lists of data Convert reports from CHEP and Colgate into Excel Create a comparison using formulas in Excel This flags the orders that do not match between reports These mismatches can be investigated 10 Solution(Long Term) Once CHEP has successfully implemented SAP, update database to recognize this formatOnce CHEP has successfully implemented SAP, update database to recognize this format I sent CHEP a copy of Colgates SAP report and they are supposed to make sure their report includes the same information This should be fairly simple since Colgate already uses SAP CHEP and Colgate reports will be in same format since both using SAP 11 What Did I Learn? 12 Learning Outcome Computer ProgramsComputer Programs Access- allows you to quickly track, report and share information in a manageable environment Visio- Allows you to make diagrams easier and faster Visual Basic-What the program behind Colgates database is written in Excel- Used to create the comparison formulas 13 Learning Outcomes DatabasesDatabases Construction Function Modification 14 Learning Outcome How to research a problem with little information and find a workable solutionHow to research a problem with little information and find a workable solution How to overcome hurdlesHow to overcome hurdles How to work through frustration and remain focused on end resultHow to work through frustration and remain focused on end result How to step outside of your comfort zone and work somewhat over your abilityHow to step outside of your comfort zone and work somewhat over your ability 15 User Guides 16 Database 17 Questions?