In this post, we're going to discuss the future state of the PCOI aspects at Legrand. By now you probably have some ideas about Legrand, isn't it? If not, feel free to read an article about Legrand.
I can at least tell you what PCOI stands for.
P - Process, C - Control, O - Organization, I - Information.
P- Process
On a process level, what would be beneficial for such implementation would be to improve the suppliers' contracts. This would matter for the implementation of AGVs to make sure the system works as planned as the information about the items should be present and correct at the moment of the order. Having a wide range of products also means having many suppliers that provide different specifications, which means that changing suppliers would probably not solve the issue, but it would be more value-adding to increase the supplier relationship, especially for routine products. This includes also additional steps for the supply chain department to make sure all the information is present in the database before the item is received. Suppliers might also need to adjust to the weight requirements of the AGVs.
In warehousing, more human resources can be allocated in the other storage areas. This would rebalance the higher efficiency of the pallet location due to the AGV. The planners also should take into account the difference in speed of the process and therefore readjust safety stock and order frequency.
C- Control
As mentioned in the Current situation safety is the number one priority at the company. These solutions are usually equipped with a scanner that stops the vehicle if movement is detected in front of it. It is better to have additional safety measures, by training the employees in the warehouse on the AGVs, and providing visitors with visual aids. An idea could be to highlight the pre-defined route of the vehicle in a red color, to be able to determine where the vehicle would go, and avoid issues with the transportation of pallets. Accordingly, it is advised to create a safety path like the one shown in the second picture. The additional required actions should be added to the information board at the entrance of the company. Additionally, the AGVs' specifications on size and weight should be considered during the inbound process. This way the right amount of products can be stored in one pallet without risking safety issues, breakdown in the vehicle, or damage to the goods. This should be done by making an evaluation of whether the current parameters of the forklift match the ones of the AGV and act upon the result.
Maintenance of the machines should also be an added step. Employees should be trained in operating the machines, and their charging stations. An additional training point could be preventative maintenance to ensure the longevity of the AGV and minimal downtime. Being a high-tech solution, the company must deal with a third party for corrective maintenance of the machines in case of breakdown.
Collecting data automatically, the company can implement additional KPIs to the daily scrum meetings regarding the performance of the AGVs. These could be availability, utilization rate, and accuracy (and therefore errors). Tracking these KPIs can provide the company with a clear overview of future areas of improvement.
O- Organization
On an organizational level, some restructuring should be considered. By implementing such systems, a lower amount of manhours will be needed. Some employees from the office and warehouse should be properly trained on the function of the AGVs and be considered responsible for their functioning, or someone with the required competencies should be hired. This should of course then be blended in with the rest of the organizational chart and the supply chain department. Moreover, third parties for the maintenance of these systems should be involved with the company. To make sure the change is well integrated within the company, the RACI matrix could be a useful tool.
I- Information
To implement such a nice and modern change, the availability of product information and data related to the facility activities is crucial. The best option to start moving towards an automated warehouse is to use a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System). This provides a complete overview of data and tasks, interconnecting different stakeholders and departments to increase supply chain performance.
Even though this is the final goal, Legrand should in the period before the implementation of such technology, focus on accurate data gathering. This means that many departments as product management, IT, planners, supply chain, and the warehouse would have to define a way to ensure reliability in the data gathered and focus on analytical interrelation.
Sources:
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) |
Meaning, Types & Use-Cases. (n.d.). Www.autostoresystem.com. Retrieved
March 15, 2024, from https://www.autostoresystem.com/insights/what-is-an-automated-guided-vehicle-agv#:~:text=These%20robots%20work%20alongside%20human
CMMS for Supply Chain Management.
(n.d.). Www.linkedin.com. Retrieved March 15, 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cmms-supply-chain-management-worktrek-f4h9f/?trk=public_post_main-feed-card_feed-article-content
Creating Safe Walking Paths in
Warehouses. (n.d.). Simplifiedsafety.com. https://simplifiedsafety.com/blog/warehouse-walkway-safe-walking-area-case-study/
How can you effectively measure
Automated Guided Vehicle system performance? (n.d.). Www.linkedin.com.
Retrieved March 15, 2024, from https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-can-you-effectively-measure-automated-zzeue#:~:text=Depending%20on%20industry%2C%20application%2C%20and
Eindhoven, J. (2007). Supply Chain
Performance Evaluation Application of the synchronised base stock policy in a
high-tech complex equipment supply chain with contract manufacturers. https://pure.tue.nl/ws/files/47041546/631639-1.pdf
The Pros and Cons of Different AGV
Navigation Systems. (n.d.). Insights.antdriven.com. Retrieved March 15,
2024, from https://insights.antdriven.com/agv-navigation-systems-pros-cons
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