2019 BEST PRACTICES AWARDS
to identify areas of improvement , and initiate positive changes . An example includes using feedback gathered from vendors and brokers to improve communications about warehousing .
“ We kept hearing there was no insight into warehouse operations with the previous warehouse management company , so we wanted to have as close to full transparency as possible when it came to the distribution centers ,” Terry explains .
In response to this concern , JOBS enlisted the help of a demand planner to analyze product supply in the two distribution centers and share that information with suppliers . Vendors and brokers now have access to various data reports related to receiving , inventory , adjustments and payments in near-real time .
One of OHLQ ’ s crowning achievements in this area is automating the listing request process . Previously , all paperwork was completed in a hard copy format and had to be scanned and e-mailed , or physically mailed to the division . A new online tool was added to the existing Ops . OHLQ . com website , allowing vendors and brokers to go online to request new items , reinstate items , request size extensions , request value-added packages , request item coverage or item coverage updates , or request changes to existing items .
The new tool piloted in October 2018 to a small group that provided feedback to OHLQ to help enhance the process prior to it being broadly offered to all vendors and brokers in July 2019 .
“ We work with all stakeholders to evolve our business into a better one for everyone ,” Canepa says . “ Continuous improvement by using all feedback provided by a stakeholder is key to our success .”
Additionally , OHLQ has focused on enhancing its Enterprise Resource Planning system over the past year , moving to more cloud-based systems solutions . OHLQ has saved $ 239,000 in annual costs associated with servers , storage and other related expenses . By developing a new alert system that pushes notifications to the mobile phones of the entire OHLQ technology staff when even the smallest systems glitch is detected , overall system processes are now more efficient than ever .
Disruptions to the system have drastically decreased , saving an additional $ 264,000 in related annual systems maintenance costs .
BRANDING AND AGENCY PARTNERSHIPS In recent years , the OHLQ has introduced new branding to its agency stores in an attempt to have a more consistent , cohesive look . After visiting a number of store locations and partnering with retail design experts , the brand was developed and shared with a number of customers at various store locations to gather feedback .
The full suite of branding materials formally launched in December 2018 , including everything from street-level pylon signs to paint colors to flooring to signage . The new branding is also visible across OHLQ websites , social media accounts and other materials . OHLQ continues exploring new ways to evolve the brand , including creating a branding tool kit for agency stores , and identifying additional branding options to accommodate the various sizes and
“ We work with all stakeholders to evolve our business into a better one for everyone ,” says Jim Canepa .
10 StateWays | www . stateways . com | September / October 2019