RNR Consulting was contracted by Cleveland Public Power (CPP) to perform a comprehensive inventory management assessment examining the effectiveness of current processes/systems and further provide specific recommendations for improvement. CPP sought to enhance utilization and functionality for its InfoQuest System and to improve its compliance with accepted inventory management policies and procedures. This project allowed CPP to increase the level of system coordination across its departments regarding activities and information which influence inventory management; plus it enhanced the capacity for tracking and utilizing inventory data. An improved inventory management process was intended to provide more accurate and reliable information which will enable executives in making prudent decisions regarding inventory maintenance and capital project planning.

RNR Consulting worked with CPP to: a) plan more effectively for project material demand and allow appropriate lead times on material purchases; b) increase accuracy and reduce paperwork through bar coding and real-time inventory tracking practices; and c) build manpower capacity to optimize current inventory functions. The overall goal of this project was to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the utilization of resources and to enhance CPP’s inventory management performance. Some of the crucial tasks included performing an inventory analysis, performing physical inventory counts, reviewing and revising standard operating procedures, document shadowing, personnel shadowing and process and functional mapping. These tasks allowed RNR Consulting to identify utilization bottlenecks and to identify specific recommendations for achieving efficient and effective inventory management and controls.

In addition, RNR Consulting conducted research into the utilization of reference codes in inventory management, the applicability of this practice to CPP, and the associated ramifications of adopting this practice. We researched available types of identification codes (e.g. barcodes, RFID codes, etc.), quantities and types of information captured within these codes, and the type of systems for effective use of these methods.

RETURN TO SERVICE AREA: INVENTORY MANAGEMENT