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How can you avoid making the wrong decision? Incorrect packages are often selected because requirements are not clear or are ambiguous. Suppliers can and do misinterpret these (to their own advantage sometimes) and projects get off to a bad start, incurring more cost and time for you to implement the solution once the project gets underway. EXDS can undertake the package selection process from a unique perspective, having worked on both side of fence (both customer and supplier ). This leads to an unrivalled understanding of the process and allows us to "read between the lines" and identify gaps and ommissions at an early stage Each selection project is unique, the following elements however need to be performed to ensure success for you and your companies logistic operations: Understand what it is you need and define this in the RFI. Sounds easy? Should be but this is where things can go very wrong. Talk to all areas affected by the WMS implementation not just the operations team or logistics director. | Produce a Request for Information or Request for Proposal document. Surprising but true, many people select a WMS without this crucial document and pay the price later on. Ensure the response to the RFI or RFP forms part of the contract of supply with the WMS provider.Supplier/Customer briefings, reviews and site visits. Talk to the people who have been there before and listen to what they say, read between the lines Ongoing Management of Suppliers throughout selection process. Meet potential suppliers implementation and support teams. These are the people who will install the solution, not the salesperson. Ensure you are comfortable with the project manager and insist that they are involvement as early as possible in the project Time? Be realistic with how long it will take you to choose the correct supplier. Don’t make rash decisions due to time constraints. Whatever time you have allowed for performing the selection process it will undoubtedly end up not being enough. Focus on what’s important. Effort put in up front will be saved when implementing the WMS and save costly mistakes Contracts The dreaded “C” word. Not just something to sign and forget about. Thoroughly review the contract and if things have been committed to make sure its in writing. It’s the first place that the legal people will go if things go wrong. |