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Checkpoint: Dorfman Pacific Rolls Out A New Wireless Warehouse
Checkpoint: Dorfman Pacific Rolls Out A New Wireless Warehouse
Axia College
IT/ 205
The problems at Dorfman Pacific all stem from basic inefficiencies due to outdated
shipping, and packaging methods that still involve the use of a large “paper trail”. Dorfman
Pacific also suffers from an almost complete lack of MIS to help guide, and streamline
information across all departments. Outdated methods are causing an extremely high labor cost
in busy seasons due to the lack of a “paperless” of digital system. Dorfman Pacific current
warehouse size is also not sufficient enough to keep up with newly acquired big-box clients such
as Wal-Mart, and JC Penney. Dorfman Pacific also lacked any type of bar code system, which
made their massive inventory almost impossible to navigate with any type of speed and
efficiency.
In order to launch Dorfman Pacific out of the dark ages and into the 21st century, major
changes were going to have to be implemented in every department that would streamline
several processes required to operate. As with any major changes, all company procedures and
methodology will have to be analyzed to ensure that whatever changes are to be made will serve
the end goal of increasing profitability, while reducing labor costs, costs of goods and services,
and increasing employees ease of use, and therefore increasing overall efficiency.
Alternative solutions
Virtually any alternative to the current archaic, and outdated system set in place would be
paragraph, the largest problem facing Dorfman is the overall lack of efficiency, and
communication between departments. A lack of efficient methods for moving, tracking, and
The initial and obvious solutions would be to completely scrap the current IT systems in
place due to their counter productivity, and lack of cross compatibility. A new IT system that
will efficiently link the communications between all departments at Dorfman must be
implemented. The system should link inventory with suppliers and clients to make ordering, and
shipping almost instant. New digital methods of tracking inventory should be implemented
through the use of bar codes; effectively eliminating any “paper trail”. Complete wireless
operation is possible through the use of hand held devices by employees in production that
directly link inventory to the shipping department. Due to the sheer size, and layout of the
warehouse this option might be quite costly. A mix of wired and wireless LANs might be a more
cost efficient method in linking production, and shipping with other departments and clients.
Wired terminals could be used in areas in the warehouse that would be hard to reach with
wireless. Again, wired terminals mixed with wireless devices used by employees in production
and shipping might be a more cost efficient alternative to a large amount of extremely powerful
wireless devices.
The best solution, and implementing it
In my opinion the best solution is immediate disposal of the current IT system, and any
system including: hardware, and software that has compatible applications for all departments.
Efficient, instant communication should be available between all departments, clients, and
suppliers. When a product is sold the information will be made available to the production, and
shipping departments. The client will also know that the product is en-route, and the supplier will
know what products they need to send in order to re-stock. A powerful LAN will be
implemented using a mixture of wired and wireless components; as opposed to a very costly total
wireless system. Wired terminals will be set up throughout the extremely large warehouse where
wireless handheld devices can be docked at to send and receive information. The implementation
of an efficient bar-coding system will help track inventory to at least double the efficiency of
sales, production, and shipping. Barcodes will be able to be loaded into handheld devices used by
warehouse employees, to send and receive information regarding inventory that is coming or
going. Everything from product to supplies, even office supplies can be bar-coded to make
Offsite IT consultants will provide managerial and employee training for the new
hardware, and software. Department managers will take an active role in the restructuring of
their specific department, as well as effective and efficient training of all employees within each
department.
System building methods used by Dorfman
Dorfman Pacific was aware that their problem was mainly due to inefficient methods that
revolved around their outdated non-digital method of shipping, and inventory control. Once they
realized the problem they to develop alternative solutions. The analyzed every aspect of their
current business model, and realized their alternative methods to increasing efficiency started
with a new IT system. Dorfman then began to implement different high quality software
applications that included warehouse software from HiJump, and bar-coding software from
Zebra Technologies. Once a new IT system was tested and implemented Dorfman decided a
faster way to send and receive information from their extremely large warehouse floor was to use
a wireless system. However, it had to be powerful in order to overcome the physical obstacle.
The wireless LAN they implemented used 15 access points spread throughout the warehouse,
making it possible to send and receive information from anywhere within Dorfman. 40 handheld,
and forklift mounted wireless PDA’s to accurately track their enormous inventory. Dorfman’s
system methods increased their efficiency so much they saved over $250,000 the first year alone,
The methodologies I would suggest using for modeling and deigning my proposed
system would be the structured methodology. Using a “top down” system to explain the highest
level of detail down to the lowest would probably be the most thorough and efficient way to
propose my system. Using a data flow diagram, would definitely be a very logical tool to explain
Essentials of Management Information Systems Dorfman Pacific Rolls Out a New Wireless