DCS’s design and engineering team has more than 40 years of experience creating unique parcel handling systems for diverse customer applications. With installations including semi-automated handling in small city distribution centers and fully automated, integrated hubs with advanced conveyor and sorter equipment, DCS routinely thinks outside the box.
DCS designs and implements end-to-end warehouse automation solutions for e-commerce and multi-channel retailers that address numerous workflow challenges. This includes solutions for receiving, putaway, storage, replenishment, order fulfillment, picking, packing, sortation, and outbound shipping. Our custom integrated warehouse, distribution, and fulfillment systems draw from a deep pool of conventional, semi-automated, and automated material handling technologies.
Whether an operation is considering the construction of a new distribution or fulfillment center, or a retrofit or expansion of an existing facility, it’s important to create a solution that fits the overarching supply chain strategy. DCS has four decades of experience designing and integrating comprehensive, end-to-end material handling solutions that meet a multitude of operational goals. Whether conventional, semi-automated, or fully automated, DCS can help your organization implement a custom solution that meets its goals while maximizing return on investment (ROI).
The DCS Supply Chain Consulting team offers a range of services to help your operations address the challenges it faces. Working in partnership with you, DCS consultants analyze your business data- existing workforce, workflow processes, inventory, order data, operations, and more- to determine a strategy that addresses your unique needs. Whether you need an operations assessment, process improvement recommendations, or distribution design services, DCS consultants will help guide you to the material handling system or operational solution that best meets your current and future needs, as well as your budget.
Keeping your warehouse operations and material handling systems running smoothly and at the peak of productivity are the goals of DCS’ Customer Service Team. By partnering with DCS, your warehouse automation solution is supported from commissioning to end of life. You’ll receive comprehensive in-house training of your personnel, including specialized training of your designated internal system expert. Plus, DCS offers a complete package of spare parts and expert system troubleshooting support from qualified engineers dedicated to your installation.
DCS offers a broad range of material handling equipment and automated system design, installation, and integration services for a multitude of projects. These include retrofits, expansions, upgrades, and more. While every project is unique, our system design and execution processes are the same, encompassing meticulous attention to detail, frequent communication, and a dedicated partnership with our clients.
Designed Conveyor Systems (DCS) has 40 years of experience serving major clients in multiple industries by providing material handling, full-scale warehouse operations, and conveyor design solutions that are custom crafted for their needs. DCS does not sell ready-made conveyor systems but builds relationships that empower collaboration to craft custom warehouse designs together. DCS utilizes consulting, engineering design, project management, installation services, and client support to ensure our customers can keep their promises to deliver on time.
With more than 40 years of experience providing automated system design, installation, and integration services, DCS has created solutions for companies throughout the United States in a broad range of industries and markets. We’ve completed more than 1500 projects ranging from greenfield facilities with completely new systems to expansions and retrofits of existing operations.
Project Timeframes 101: Understand the End-to-End Process to Help Keep Work on Track
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Project Timeframes 101: Understand the End-to-End Process to Help Keep Work on Track
Date Posted:08.13.20
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if every new system design and installation could be completed on-time, or even ahead of schedule? After decades of experience, our team has identified a number of areas within the process where necessary time requirements might be underestimated. To help you avoid those potential pitfalls, we’ve assembled this list of project steps and typical timeframes to help you strategically plan for your next project.
Identify the problem. Projects typically fall into one of two categories: companies that know exactly where the operational bottleneck lies within their process and need a solution developed to address it, or operations that recognize the effects of a problem but haven’t been able to determine the root cause. Organizations that need help identifying the problem should allot approximately three to six months for a third-party consultant to assess, collect and analyze data about the business, its networks, operations, processes, systems and assets. Only by first engaging in this due diligence process can the cause of the problem be identified.
Evaluate potential solutions. Once the cause of the inefficiency has been identified, a variety of possible solutions are explored. Sometimes small tweaks to existing processes or systems may be all that are needed to improve (but perhaps not completely resolve) the current situation. A more complex situation may require three to six months to explore and consider potential solutions (new equipment, process or network modifications, expanded facility footprint, new facility location or structure) and build a business case for each.
Formal design of the chosen solution. After the optimal solution has been determined, the system integrator maps out a formal design and implementation plan. As before, the more complex the situation the longer this project phase will take, with most requiring between three to six months. Within this step the applications engineering is performed, equipment, systems and controls are designed, and an installation timeframe is mapped out. Also, during this part of the process, bids from contractors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are solicited and reviewed, and pricing and proposal options are formally presented to the company to select which route they prefer to take. At the conclusion of this phase, a functional specification document and budget is produced and approved.
Contracting. This is the phase in which all the details are incorporated into a legal document to be signed by both parties. How quickly the terms and conditions can be agreed upon determines the length of this step; contracts can be executed in anywhere from less than a week up to three months. Generally, the larger an organization, the more time this phase will require in order to secure the necessary reviews, approvals, and signoffs.
Team formation. Both sides now identify which personnel from each will have responsibility to execute and manage the project. Both groups meet, and the project is formally kicked off. This usually only takes a few days or a couple of weeks. During this time, it is critical to establish communication protocols to ensure that regular conversations about progress, timelines, milestones, obstacles, alternative solutions, and other timely updates can occur.
Order equipment. Because the optimal equipment and the budget have been specified and agreed upon in the formal design phase, it should be a relatively quick process to cut purchase orders for the selected OEMs. Prior to doing so, lead times for equipment delivery should be evaluated to ensure that the necessary components will arrive in correspondence with the implementation timeframe. If not, the schedule may need to be adjusted or different vendors chosen.
Installation. Again, depending on the complexity of the solution, this can take anywhere from three months to a year. If a software integration – such as the implementation of a new warehouse management system (WMS) – is involved, that may take an additional six months. This phase requires tight coordination of equipment deliveries as well as scheduling of sub-contractors and other support equipment. Further, it’s critical to be aware of how each trade’s progress impacts the work of subsequent contractors; maintaining and adhering to a project calendar can help maintain the correct sequence of work to be completed and prevent delays. Additionally, in a retrofit of an existing operation, the need to accommodate day-to-day work occurring in the building may also add time to the schedule. Organizations with extremely complex installations may opt to schedule the integration and go-live process across several sub-systems as a means to measure incremental progress.
Testing, commissioning, training. To ensure the new systems will ultimately perform as expected, it’s critical to allot adequate time for testing of all functional and safety components, as well as for adequate training of operations and maintenance employees. This can take anywhere from a week to a month. Because the new equipment will take time to ramp up to its full productivity, blocking out the time to both ensure its proper functionality and that those using it are familiar and comfortable with its operation will speed that process along.
Thinking about implementing a new system in your facility? To learn more about working with DCS, we invite you to connect with us.
With 22 years in the material handling industry, Seth has experienced many different roles – Project Manager, Sr. Director of Solutions, Vice President of Solutions, and VP of Operations. Seth oversees the entire process from contract to customer service, project delivery and support. He is passionate about growing his team and taking ownership of the post-sales efforts. Outside of the office, you can find Seth spending time with his wife, three kids, and dog Stella.
