Powell Industries - integrating operations and finance to help their teams move quickly

Our goal with Powell was to streamline work, optimize warehouse, and financial operations through a custom management system.

Some challenges we faced included inefficient order creation processes, disorganized warehouse management, manual invoicing and order tracking, and a lack of integration between order management and financial systems.

Solutions Implemented:

1. Order Management System:

   • Developed a system to create both sales orders and quotes.

   • Automated the transition from quotes to sales orders, reducing manual input and errors.

2. Warehouse Management System:

   • Implemented a warehouse management tool that generates pick lists for workers.

   • Pick lists provided detailed information on item locations and shelf positions, enabling faster and more efficient item picking and shipping.

3. Financial Integration:

   • Integrated QuickBooks for automatic invoice creation.

   • Set up email notifications to inform customers about their invoices.

   • Ensured that order status updates in the system were reflected in QuickBooks, facilitating seamless financial tracking.

4. Inventory and Purchase Orders:

   • Established a reservation system for items in stock to prevent overbooking.

   • Created a purchase order system to manage restocking when inventory levels were low.

Results:

• Increased Efficiency: The new system reduced the time required to create and process orders, allowing employees to focus on more critical tasks.

• Improved Accuracy: Automation minimized errors in order and invoice creation, enhancing overall data accuracy.

• Enhanced Warehouse Operations: The pick list tool streamlined warehouse activities, resulting in faster order fulfillment and shipping.

• Better Financial Management: Integration with QuickBooks improved financial oversight and customer communication, ensuring timely invoicing and payment processing.

Conclusion:

The custom management system developed for Powell Industries significantly improved their operational efficiency, accuracy, and financial management. By automating key processes and integrating essential tools, the system provided a comprehensive solution that addressed the company's primary challenges and supported their growth.