The second of the three phase processes in the TriFactor Edge is the Final Design and Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Development. This phase is engineering intensive and depending on the complexity of the material handling system being developed, can consume hundreds of hours of engineering. The following work is generated during this phase:
- Final system design to include the detailed location of all automated material handling system equipment
- A Description of Operation that provides a written narrative of all potential flow of product in the warehouse and all of the processes that may be possible in the operations.
- Description of Equipment that describes in great details all of the equipment dimensions, performance specifications, limitations and appropriate applicability within the system.
- Description of Software including any Human Machine Interface (HMI) screens, PC or PLC Controls, Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) that may be used or integrated in the automated material handling system.
- Estimating equipment costs of all necessary mechanical and electrical equipment that satisfies the final design. For equipment that can be manufactured by multiple approved vendors, TriFactor will secure multiple bids from vendors and provide the customer with the features & benefits including costs, lead time, quality and anything else appropriate along with recommendations for selection. Ultimately, the customer will select the equipment vendors and TriFactor will include their specifications and costs with the GMP Documents.
- Estimating labor costs for mechanical and electrical installation. For installation services that can be provided by multiple approved vendors, TriFactor will secure multiple bids from vendors and provide the customer with the features & benefits including costs, past performance, quality and anything else appropriate along with recommendations for selection. Ultimately, the customer will select the installation vendors and TriFactor will include their costs with the GMP Documents.
- Estimating engineering, project management and training costs. As a Florida Licensed Professional Engineering company, most of the mechanical and electrical engineering required to fulfill the integration of the complex automated material handling systems is performed with in-house staff. However, for engineering services that are accomplished through approved subcontractors, TriFactor engineers perform the role of subcontractor supervisors and ensure the work performed is within the contractual guidelines and specifications required for a successful project.
- Design criteria. In order to properly engineer a complex material handling system, certain parameters and guidelines must be considered during the design. We call these parameters the Design Criteria. For example, understanding the various type and shape of boxes that are conveyed in a material handling system would be applicable design criteria. This specific criteria is essential is specifying type of conveyor (belt or roller), conveyor widths, curve turn radius, etc. Also, material in the box would be design criteria. A case of wine bottles handles much differently compared to a box of paper products such as books. The wine bottles are more fragile, have a different center of gravity and are looser packed compared to the box of books. Understanding these criteria is critical to the long term success and functionality of the material handling system.
- Implementation schedule. Integrating an automated material handling system into existing operations or building one from scratch takes many steps and requires the coordination and integration of may stakeholders. During Phase 2 of the TriFactor Edge, TriFactor develops an extremely detailed Gantt chart that can easily consist of hundreds of tasks. This Gantt chart designates responsible parties for each task, the predecessor for each task, approximate start and stop dates, and any other needed information in order to ensure that all trades and stakeholders are working in concert with a common goal. Additionally, when all information is incorporated into the Gantt Chart, a critical path is determined for focused progress monitoring during the implementation phase.
- Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). This represents the maximum financial exposure for which the customer is liable. By selecting the vendors that participated in the multiple bid process and summing the costs, the GMP is determined. In the event that the final project price is lower than the GMP, then the customer benefits by only being invoiced up to this final price. However, if the final project price exceeds the GMP, then the customer is only required to pay the GMP and TriFactor absorbs the balance. TriFactor has experienced both scenarios and in every occasion, the customer has felt like they received the best deal for their automated material handling system.
Finally, once the GMP Documents detailing all of the above is complete and is presented to the customer, the decision is made to continue to Phase 3, Implementation. |
