The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) was actively entrenched in the CITME implementation that serves as a comprehensive stratagem to unite various functions within the organization. RNR Consulting was engaged to provide assistance for Phase I, bar coding of ‘inventory locations,’ at its five district locations. RNR Consulting performed detailed asset auditing and process mapping, including physical verification, asset classification, and valuation and bar coding of inventory. The current system was also audited and a new system was implemented while maintaining practicality and the long-term goals of the GCRTA. 

In order to ensure a cohesive, comprehensive and methodical approach, RNR Consulting conducted extensive research to identify and isolate key specifications and requirements for the selection of appropriate input devices (bar code scanners, etc.) in order to maximize performance effectiveness at the various warehouses at GCRTA. Formal documents highlighting the many variables taken into consideration on the selection of bar code devices and prioritizing the variables in accordance with existing GCRTA processes were prepared. RNR Consulting provided a myriad of analysis tables describing the various functionalities of each system to the relevant core team members to facilitate decision making.

A similar unified method was employed to present recommendations on appropriate label size, form, material, adhesive, and type of bar code. Research was conducted to identify and evaluate different industry standards based upon specific label properties and requirements. The most suitable ones were duly recommended for the GCRTA.

A detailed report was also created to identify all of the storage types and racking types for the specified warehouses. A survey and an inspection were conducted at all of the locations to determine the different storage types. The locations were measured (and audited) to create numerous and comprehensive scaled drawings. The storage types included non-traditional options such as steel bins, Vidmars, Kardex, Carousels, Picker Racks (CBMF), and wall and ground locations. Each type was drawn to scale, and the position where the labels would be placed was explicitly chosen after numerous discussions with the GCRTA staff. One important consideration that drove the process was the need for consistency and standardization across the districts and the facilities.

A professional architect was retained to create detailed floor plans to serve as an ongoing deliverable for all of the specified GCRTA warehouse facilities. Each floor plan was drawn to scale on AutoCAD so it would be conducive to changes in the future. The floor plans also indicated the locations of each of the storage containers and their numbers. These maps were designed to serve as a reference guide for employees, and to be visibly placed in every facility of the GCRTA. The plans were designed on Mylar, so that they would not be soiled by grease and dirt at the warehouse locations.

Each recommendation made by RNR Consulting consisted of action steps, timelines, and resource requirements. All of the recommendations made by RNR Consulting were approved by the GCRTA before moving on to the implementation stage. The GCRTA was regularly updated on the progress of the project and all of the recommendations were presented as on-going deliverables.
RNR Consulting was granted access to the ‘Master Locator’ files of the GCRTA that provides a list all of the parts in one file in text format. The data was transferred and integrated into the Ultramain system software for printing. The missing locations were added (data entry) based upon our previous documents and the floor plans, and the labels were subsequently printed. The labels were then physically affixed at the various locations in all of the warehouse facilities.
From an implementation standpoint, RNR Consulting compiled a comprehensive list of assets and devised an asset classification schema (along with the value of the assets) to upload into the new system. This asset classification schema broadly included location, value, type, and tracking necessities.
Wins:

• The asset classification and the physical inclusion of all assets have significantly reduced conversion efforts, and as such have ensured that the completion of the project will be completed on time and within budget
• Due to our involvement the GCRTA is poised to conduct preventative maintenance and schedule cost effective ways to determine which rebuild components should be rebuilt or bought, thereby instituting tremendous cost savings to the GCRTA
• The floor plans created served as a standard guide to the employees of the warehouses at all the locations
• Recommendations made were approved by GCRTA and comprehensively implemented by RNR Consulting – no recommendation was ignored without due consideration to the benefits for the GCRTA
• Completed affixation of the labels at all locations – to GCRTA’s surprise, the affixation of bar code labels for the 5600 locations at CBM was completed in just over two days