Database Solutions

The Problem
Realizing the Need for Improvement...
A major U.S. Bindery supplies library resource books and wants to expand their production potential. The bindery processes over 400 different book titles and 10,000 pieces every week. The bindery also warehouses over 100,000 pieces with an average lot size of 25-50 and inventory control has become unmanageable. Current resources are inadequate to handle additional volume using current production techniques indicating a need for additional labor and a build-up of facilities, which poses an extremely costly solution.

The Analysis
Identifying the Bottlenecks...
TECAT Engineering analyzed the current production practices and labor force utilization of the bindery and concluded that inefficient machine utilization, inadequate inventory storage and retrieval methods and lack of an integrated inventory and production management system was severely limiting the production potential of the current facility and labor force.

The Solution
Integrating New Technologies...
It was proposed that an integrated inventory and production management system be developed to provide an efficient means of managing inventory and production orders. The proposed system would automate current production methods and manage all information exchange between various aspects of the business (i.e.- receiving, inventory, production, shipping, purchasing, billing, etc.) using a custom-tailored relational database program. We asked our customer “In a perfect world, what would you need to have to optimize how you run your business?”... then we created it. We believe that no one knows your business better than you, and no one can help you reach your potential better than us!

The Results
Reaching Your Potential...
After a smooth integration of the new system into their current processes, the bindery now handles (1 year later) over a 1000 titles and 25,000 pieces every week and manages over 1,000,000 pieces in inventory with the same labor force and facilities! They have more than doubled revenues and significantly improved profit margins with our custom-engineered system which, by the way, paid for itself in less than six months!