Solutions Case Study

From time to time, I will be posting case-studies made available to me as a solutions provider for CGX. I will be deleting the “client” name, in an effort to avoid trying to sound like I am name dropping. The “vendor” name will of course be left in.

The Challenge: The extensive product & service offering of “CLIENT” requires a significant sales force with over 200 sales and service offices in the U.S. alone. With such an immense sales force, “CLIENT” faced a situation in which important sales and marketing literature was not being fulfilled in a manner that was consistent, on time, and without defect. Haydee Manzanero, a six sigma black belt who spearheaded this project, identified 117 process steps and over 50 hand‐offs in the old purchasing program. There was up to a 2 month lead time through 8 authorization steps to get a new marketing piece into the literature database for the sales force to order.

Their findings showed the following as areas for process improvement:

• Streamline their speed to market
• Increase competitive pricing across all “CLIENT” divisions
• Build confidence in the efforts of marketing
• Keep branding & offers consistent
• And ultimately decrease literature expenses

The Solution: Consolidated Graphics (CGX) was chosen as this strategic supplier and was tasked with helping to streamline “CLIENT”’s marketing literature process. By incorporating CGXSolutions’ Storefront application, “CLIENT” was able to merge all activities into one system that previously required three systems. The real time inventory and tracking information feature increased speed to market, decreasing out of stock incidents and obsolescence. This also assists in developing future programs that complement the sales fields’ self generating efforts in both Residential and Commercial segments. Prior to the partnership with Consolidated Graphics, the inventory information was sent out once a month and tracking shipments was difficult if available at all, representing a dramatic improvement over the old program.

The Results: Utilizing CGX Solutions’ technology generated immediate results in speed to market and inventory management resulting in cost savings for “CLIENT”. At the 2007 Operational Excellence review Haydee’s Six Sigma team identified a 64% reduction in expenses and a 48% reduction in process steps. Total cost savings were measured to total $2.8 million for the first year alone.

The integration of the CGX & “CLIENT” teams throughout the implementation process was comprehensive. In fact, the project was in the top 3 finalists for the “Teamwork & Culture” category in “CLIENT”’s Operational Excellence yearly review. As CGX and “CLIENT” continue to grow the relationship increases in complexity and has translated into many collaborative projects outside of literature inventory. CGX has been able to showcase an increasing array of technology advances in regards to commercial print and utilization of the vast printing network. “CLIENT” has increased their speed and variety to market while decreasing costs of these same functions. The relationship has added tremendous value in the form of onsite assistance with process improvement, the convenience and efficiency of online print procurement, and much more.

Think that a solution like this might help your company, or have any specific questions about the solution? Feel free to contact me!

steve@puttingdotsonpaper.com