March 30, 2018

Camelot Podcast: Enterprise Software Implementation – Episode 2 Tola Ogidan with Host Geoff Greenhill

In this episode, Tola Ogidan, Camelot 3PL Software Implementation Manager and Geoff Greenhill, Camelot 3PL Software Sales Manager discuss what it takes to have a successful software implementation.  The dialog explains how some customers mistakenly compare the setup of consumer software with more sophisticated enterprise business software and how missed expectations can affect an implementation. Tola and Geoff also talk about the importance of learning a new system and Camelot’s online training and e-learning initiatives.  
March 21, 2018

Automation 101: Triggers

It’s a common request during most software implementation: “I don’t want to hit that button… that’s what I bought the software for.  Do it for me.  Automate!” Automation is a blanket term that can be thrown at any number of cumbersome manual processes.  And why not?  The Miriam-Webster definition is just as generic:  “the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate by a self-acting mechanism.” When talking about performing a software process without human intervention, there needs to be a starting point or a trigger.  In automation, […]
February 7, 2018

Checklist for Choosing a New 3PL WMS

Are you in the process of evaluating a new warehouse management system? At a high-level, warehousing is the business of moving inventory AND data. To be successful, you have to be good at receiving, storing and shipping physical products as well as managing the information related to that inventory. Evaluating and selecting a new warehouse management system (WMS) can be an overwhelming process. Where do you find solution providers? What information do you need? How do you compare systems? What features are important? What other non-product factors are important when […]
January 17, 2018

Case Study: Winchester Cold Storage – Count Backs

Background: Winchester Cold Storage provides food grade freezer and temperature controlled storage solutions. At one point in history the company was the “Largest Apple Storage in the World!” As such, the company’s facilities provide an unusually large capacity of controlled atmosphere storage where temperature, humidity, oxygen and other room conditions can be monitored and controlled. The Challenge: Accuracy and automation in the receiving operations was looking for improvements.  Winchester’s accuracy numbers were excellent at 99.8%.  However there is always room for improvement. The inaccuracies occurred when shipping 5, 10, 20 cases to […]
January 3, 2018

Commercial Off the Shelf vs. Custom Programmed Software

What is Commercial off-the-shelf-software? When searching for a software solution, whether it is to run an entire business, or just fill a single functional need, one must decide whether to search for a commercial off-the-shelf-software (COTS) solution, or use programming services for custom, one-off development. COTS, also referred to as package software, is the more traditional and popular mindset. If you need a word processor, would you build one from scratch, or go find an existing software that meets your needs? Package software will beat out one-off development in nearly […]
December 21, 2017

When Disaster Happens Will Your Backup System Succeed?

I’m sure we all heard about the latest news out of Atlanta this past weekend. There was a power outage that lasted close to 12 hours that shut down airport operations and forced an evacuation to clear out the congestion. Travelers were left stranded with no power, no food, and no information from anyone. So you might be thinking, “Why was there no backup power and why did everyone working at the airport seem so unprepared to handle this situation?” The situation occurred because a Georgia Power Substation had a […]