Five-phase IT Approach
Comprehensive Logistics employs a five-phase IT engineering approach to determine the specifications for the system infrastructure and architecture of OEM warehouse operations.
Phase One: Discovery
This is the key ingredient to Comprehensive Logistics’ IT-engineered solution. We conduct an in-depth business requirements analysis to determine infrastructure and software configuration requirements. We identify:
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- Specialized software that is needed to connect to the customer’s system
- Any required licensing
- Training to enhance the skills employees will need to successfully operate the system
- The necessary communications equipment
- How many PCs, servers, scanners, and other equipment must be purchased.
With this information, Comprehensive Logistics creates a bill of materials of parts and equipment that aligns with the design of the solution.
Phase Two: Asset Procurement
Based on the solution design, Comprehensive Logistics acquires the communications, hardware, and infrastructure assets identified in the Discovery phase, ensuring alignment with the engineered solution. Depending on the operation and the OEM’s requirements, examples of assets purchased include:
Communications
- T1s
- High-bandwidth fiber connections to the Internet and Comprehensive Logistics’ WAN
- 4G LTE wireless devices and specialized routers for redundancy
Hardware
- Windows mobile scanners
- Laptops and PCs
- Battery-operated power carts to drive printers in receiving areas to accommodate on-demand printing
- IP phones and phone systems
- Servers, switches, fiber, and cabling
Infrastructure
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- Wireless networks for office and plant environments
- Firewalls
- “Hub and spoke,” spanning-tree design of distribution IDF cabinets to connect access points and all other devices
- Intrusion-detection system
- Backup generator for plant and data center, as well as UPS’
Phase Three: Infrastructure Deployment
Integral to Comprehensive Logistics’ highly IT engineered approach, this phase focuses on validating all critical components and ensuring they work seamlessly, creating a high-availability solution.
Phase Four: Configuration and Development
This is, in essence, the software development life cycle (SDLC) for STREME™, Comprehensive Logistics’ proprietary warehouse management system (WMS). Our four-step SDLC—development, quality assurance, staging, deployment—ensures that the features in the software operate in compliance with the OEM’s requirements.
Also during this phase, Comprehensive Logistics builds the network and deploys the mission-critical software.
Phase Five: Go Live
It’s showtime. With the infrastructure and system engineered and thoroughly tested and deployed, the operation can go live.
The technologies embedded within the infrastructure and WMS are constantly tested, using proactive monitoring.