Authors:
Chad Burkhart
Abstract:
This disclosure proposes a digital portal that will combine current business tools (Agile, Oracle, Quickbase, etc.) into a single interface to provide an end-to-end view of a product from initial design and technical sales to service.
Background:
The business currently relies on spreadsheets, individual tools, tribal knowledge, and brute force to collaborate cross functionally. There is a great deal of time spent making sure that a customer gets what they need/want due to team members speaking on different “levels” of a product. Installation and field services speak in FRU PNs, sales speak in RPQ numbers or FC numbers, and manufacturing speaks in SMU PNs. Each of these are also used in conjunction with what the person referencing believes the parts should be called, not necessarily the formal name that can be understood across the business. We do not have a way to bring up a full configuration and drill down to show SMU, FRU, RPQ/FC, and description level terminology in one spot.
Description:
The proposed portal will incorporate the 3D modeling already in place and will use it to allow both a buildup of a configuration as well as a drill down into a configuration. It is a one stop shop for all parties in the business.
To start, technical sales will be able to meet with a customer and "build" a machine or other product live based upon a database of available parts. The customer can see how a finished machine will look in space, in their store, wherever with dimensions. Once agreed upon, the technical salesperson can save that configuration for order entry if the customer decides to purchase.
Once an order is entered, the same digital display of the product can tag along with the configuration and order to the manufacturing floor. Manufacturing will have a view of what the finished machine should look like, increasing quality. If they have questions on how parts go together and/or if a part is missing during assembly they would be able to drill down into the 3D view to specific parts. There it will list the SMU, FRU, and description of a part.
For installation and field services, the same portal would connect to Oracle. If a machine has a serial number the technician can enter that serial number, Oracle records would be queried, and the same 3D view will come up. If a defective part is found upon install or for a service call, the technician can drill down into the defective area down to the part and confirm the part number that needs to be ordered. Parts fulfillment on the back end would know exactly what part is needed without back-and-forth confirmation.
Overall, this will allow everyone to understand the various ways parts and systems are described.
TGCS Reference 00495
