Client Overview
Our client was established in 1961 by the Department of Defense to consolidate disparate and redundant service inventory management and distribution operations. They have grown into the largest combat support agency in the Department of Defense by providing worldwide logistics support to the military services. Our client manages nearly 4.6 million items and is committed to establishing itself as the best value provider of logistics products and services to the military and authorized customers.
Project Description Summary
MEBC was contracted to help the client improve in-transit visibility, reduce freight and related distribution costs, enable end-to-end supply chain capabilities, and improve service to its customers. Five distinct increments were established in order to achieve the goals of the project. MEBC was contracted to focus on Increments 1 and 2. Increment 1 refers to the management of 1st Destination or "Inbound" freight, whereas Increment 2 refers to the management of 2nd Destination or "Outbound" freight.
Role and Approach
MEBC, a sub-contractor to a major system integrator, supplemented the team in developing a Transportation Planning and Optimization capability for the client to support Increments 1 and 2 of the project. As a subcontractor, MEB Consulting was responsible for delivering at least 17% of the labor associated with the project. Specific areas of responsibility included:
Business Process Design
Provided information on industry best practices associated with the software implementation as well as the overall supply chain leading practices applicable to the depot's environment.
Integrated process re-engineering into the requirements development process
Provided recommendations on improvements to the logistics and distribution processes based upon detailed "As-Is" and "To-Be" processes
Manugistics Application Configuration
Identified detailed functional and technical requirements through the Functional Requirements Document (FRD), System Requirements Specification (SRS), Preliminary Design Review (PRD), and the Critical Design Review (CDR)
Configured the transportation application to meet the functional and technical requirements
Technology Integration and Functional Testing
Integrated the project technology solution effectively into a complex DoD Legacy IT environment
Tested solution to ensure full functional capability and integration into legacy systems
Change Management and Knowledge Training & Transfer (KT&T)
Provided direction to effectively deal with change management issues that present themselves in a complex DoD cultural environment
Developed training documentation and trained multiple client groups on the Manugistics functionality
Advisory Role
Provided strategic guidance in the overall direction to the PMO to recognize optimal solution and business initiative in the context of a unique environment
Strategic direction included recommendations for business process change, organizational realignment, and solution architecture
Results / Accomplishments
The project was estimated to save the client nearly $27 million through the Manugistics transportation consolidation and optimization opportunities. MEBC met all deliverables associated with the sub-contract. In particular, MEBC demonstrated its ability to re-engineer processes, develop complex "To-Be" requirements, and configure the transportation solution to meet the future state needs of the client. Additionally, MEB Consulting has supported/completed the following:
Knowledge Training & Transfer (KT&T)
Delivered 30+ training classes to the client
Application Configuration and Testing
Validated Manugistics transport application to ensure its compatibility with program business processes
Historical Modeling
Identified additional dedicated truck lanes, resulting in additional savings
Identified potential savings associated with re-engineering current business practices
1st Destination
Identified and on-boarded over 500 vendors for inbound planning and Consolidation opportunities
Identified and recommended several electronic B2B options for the client
