Cloud Enabled Supply Chain Collaboration
A mid-size and rapidly expanding contract manufacturer (CM) found itself using spreadsheets, email, and phone calls to manage its supply chain. The CM initially turned to a local software development firm to build a workflow application. The project failed, with 100% of the code scrapped after 24 months.
”I had a problem keeping my supply chain running smooth
Brandon FrommVP Operations
Custom Solution
The CEO and Production VP engaged P1ston for the CM’s second attempt at building a supply chain workflow platform. We faced a straight-forward mandate: automate wherever possible while streamlining interactions for both the CM and its suppliers. In short, make supply chain workflows easier for all stakeholders.
Approach
Following a kick-off outlining our user-centric software development process, the project team iterated through discovery, mapping, analysis, ideation, and prototyping phases. In parallel, a cloud architect began establishing the microservices, API, and event-driven structure that would serve as the foundation for future coding efforts.
Process
- Business Strategy
- User Experience (UX) Design
- Architecture
- Development
- QA & Maintenance
Overcoming Roadblocks
Despite extensive user testing of both prototypes and live code, a pilot phase uncovered a few shortcomings. Users requested acceleration of collaboration features originally scheduled for later releases. In particular, user considered secure supply chain messaging and file-sharing as essential to streamlining workflows and gaining adoption.
Results
OEMs in industries such as electric power, oil & gas, defense, and aerospace depend on an inbound supply of custom parts and assemblies. And even though OEMs have spent billions on ERPs and classic portals, if you take away spreadsheets and email, their supply chains break.
200
Supplier Network Scaling
13
Code-to-launch
239
Raving reviews written since the launch
“I'm wondering why I never contacted these guys sooner! Seriously, they all have commendable talent in their respective fields and knocked my concept out of the ballpark.”
David W DusaultEl Duke
