The OMAX WMS project of the beginnings Columbus IT, completed - IT-Box

The WMS system implementation project in OMAX company turned back for it a headache: according to the IT-Box company which successfully completed implementation, the first implementer - Columbus IT - could not bring a system to the necessary level. Columbus IT of charge denies.

The consulting company IT-Box announced completion of work on recovery and completion of the information management system as a warehouse in OMAX company.

Omaks Group company - the official representative of fasteners and the electric tool of the OMAX brand in Russia. The company works since 1996, is engaged in production and wholesale of fixture and electric tool. The central office of the company and a warehouse complex of class "A" is in Domodedovo. Number of staff of the company is 560 people.

As stated in the official statement of IT-Box, management of OMAX addressed it, having faced problems in work of WMS based on Microsoft Dynamics AX. According to TAdviser, in a warehouse of Omaks Group the Columbus IT company was engaged in implementation of this system earlier.

The decision on automation of the distribution center in OMAX was made in 2010. The company involved consulting company Columbus IT which suggested to create a system for management of a warehouse based on the Microsoft Dynamics AX2009 platform. However on final project stage on implementation of AX there were difficulties. "OMAX instead of the expected result received the whole complex of problems and faced lack of interest from integrator in their solution", said in the statement of IT-Box.

Further it is reported that permanent postponement of project completion led to the fact that start of a system fell on the beginning of seasonal peak loading of a warehouse. Respectively, shortcomings of work of WMS and avalanche distribution of errors threatened "normal functioning of a warehouse".

In such situation the management of OMAX asked for the help in IT-Box company.

Columbus IT differently describes a situation: "Columbus IT implemented the solution on management of a warehouse in OMAX. On final project stage management of the customer decided to support WMS by own forces, having refused services of integrators", - say in Columbus IT.

The version of Columbus IT is supported also by the previous logistics director of Omaks Group who participated in the project: "Specialists of Columbus IT company performed in OMAX high-quality implementation of the WMS system of own development based on Microsoft Dynamics AX in full accordance with terms of the contract and the project documentation. The analysis of the existing business processes, development and deployment of a warehouse management system took several months. The WMS system started with the assistance of specialists of Columbus IT corresponded to infrastructure of a warehouse of Omaks Group company and worked correctly".

Upon termination of a phase of initial support the management of Omaks Group decided to ensure independently system operation of management of a warehouse, to exercise control of business processes and the organization of personnel and also to make a number of changes in a part of integration with the accounting system, speak in Columbus IT. From Omaks Group of claims on work of the WMS system implemented by Columbus IT did not arrive.

Columbus IT does not exclude that with support of WMS OMAX could have difficulties. The management of Omaks Group carried out internal staff movements, in particular, the programmer integrator was replaced. Recently employed specialists of Omaks Group did not cope with setup and completion of WMS.

Anyway intervention of IT-Box in two months allowed to correct a situation with system operation of OMAX: critical errors were eliminated, tunings for correct system operation are performed. Besides, new consultants performed completions which allowed to bring WMS into accord to the current infrastructure of a warehouse and to increase its performance.

As a result of fast and high-quality project implementation, the OMAX company not only could recover normal operability of the distribution center, but also "at last felt effect of automation", said in release. So, if in May, 2011 shipment from warehouse made approximately 1500 tons, then in July this indicator exceeded 2500 tons.

Now IT-Box performs a support phase and also continues works on development of a system.

The official comment of Columbus Russia company on the project implementation of WMS in Omaks Group

In October, 2010 the consulting company Columbus (earlier known as Columbus IT) started an implementation project of a system of the class WMS in a warehouse of Omaks Group, the official representative of fasteners and the electric tool of the OMAX brand in Russia. In total cooperation lasted about eight months - from October, 2010 to May, 2011. During this time the project team of Columbus carried out the analysis of key business processes of the customer, unrolled a warehouse management system, held testing of the solution, trained key users and performed initial support.

In addition to integrator over the project on automation of a warehouse complex Omaks Group involved the third-party partner who rendered the companies of service in logistic consulting. According to the results of the general analysis stage according to wishes of the customer planning solutions were developed and approved, and the project team of Columbus started a phase of creation of WMS. Actually the solution was ready to start in February, but at the initiative of the customer the date of start was postponed for April. It was connected, in particular, with need to integrate the solution with the accounting system of the central office that involved additional time expenditure.

At the same time the management of Omaks Group made the decision to refuse services of the partner in business consulting. At the same time in the company staff movements began: the project was left at once by two leading programmers who were engaged in integration of the operating head system and future WMS. Despite project difficulties, in April, 2011 the solution WMS corresponding to infrastructure of a warehouse of Omaks Group was successfully put into operation. A system worked correctly, any complaints or complaints from the guide of the customer did not come to an instruction address of Columbus.

At another internal meeting representatives of Omaks Group confirmed that they are happy with intermediate results of implementation. Within two next weeks specialists of Columbus performed support of the deployed solution. Upon termination of a phase of active user support of the party discussed closing of the existing project and options of continuation of cooperation within development of WMS.

The next meeting of a project team took place in May on which the new project manager was presented (it is the new logistics director) who was not taking part in implementation. The former logistics director was dismissed from Omaks Group on the eve of the meeting and without explanation. The new project manager from the customer confirmed that there are no claims to work of Columbus.

From this point events developed promptly. The management of Omaks Group announced that earlier approved description of business processes does not suit them and it is necessary to make a number of changes to work of already deployed solution. The specific list of actions by the parties did not make a reservation. By this time the most part of the works which are earlier performed by a project team remained unpaid. From Columbus it was offered to close the existing project and to continue cooperation in development of a system according to the customer's wishes. However management of Omaks Group announced intention to independently ensure functioning of WMS and to refuse Columbus services, and still after a while the customer continued development of the solution with the new partner.

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