Rewriting application code opens the decision to platform migration. Consider the cost-value that is in the existing system components. It is the application or the content and all the content management systems. Blue Bell Creameries was faced with this dilemma during its upgrade of Oracle E-Business Suite ERP platform. There was a history of lost transaction problems within its mobile data collection software.
Blue Bell Creameries sells directly in 23 states while operating four manufacturing plants, nearly 60 distribution centers and a fleet of branded delivery trucks. To ensure the highest control oversight, no one else touches their product from manufacturing to the sales endpoint. Before 2012, the mobile data collection software was Gemini from ClearOrbit (aka Take Supply Chain). The transaction integrity suffered if the mobility data connection was lost during a transaction. This resulted in "lockage" in their internal supply chain which backed-up into the manufacturing, distribution and receiving processes. The setback had to be detected and released manually.
Moving forward the company upgraded their EBS processes from 11i to R12 for HR, payroll, financials and process manufacturing. Changes in the data structure forced upgrading their mobile applications and opened the door to new platform considerations. The search was on and included criteria to minimize transaction loss and a variety of mobile device support. Included in the search also sought a vendor who was willing and able to integrate flexibly and quickly. Meanwhile, vendors' business models changed with new management.
RFgen came out the winner of the selection process.
The key to the integrity was holding the transaction until one regains connectivity and then confirm the transaction. This essentially eliminated dropped transaction and allowed better tracking of its food products for compliance with federal food safety regulations.
Open source code to customize and provide the necessary flexibility -- modify, expand and fix operations throughout the process.
Attribution: Mark Fontecchio
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