Complex Project Management Issues

Merrill Steel faced operational challenges inherent to large-scale industrial projects that require extensive coordination between teams and continuous modifications throughout the production process.

Key Pain Points:

• Documentation and order change problems meant that prior plans had become outdated, leading to costly reworks.
• Wasted materials and labor that affected delivery schedules and storage optimization, leading to unnecessary expenses.
• Manufacturing errors led to significant financial loss and rework delays, affecting project timelines and customer satisfaction.
• Friction and communication breakdowns between engineering and fabrication teams affecting morale, productivity, and quality.

Industrial-Grade Tablet Deployment

Merrill Steel selected Cybernet’s Rugged X10 computer tablets to bridge the communication gap and provide real-time access to the current project specifications.

Our Approach:

• Industrial-grade durability that could withstand dust, debris, extreme temperatures, and mishandling by staff without losing performance.
• Comprehensive damage coverage program that made replacement expenses more predictable, eliminating budget uncertainty.
• Real-time communications between different teams that synchronized teams immediately, providing live access to updated plans and reduced reliance on paper-based documentation.

Operational Improvements

Since implementing the Rugged X10, Merrill Steel’s operations have experienced far fewer communication breakdowns and greater efficiency in handling materials. 

Key Outcomes:

• Immediate change notifications for fabrication teams and streamlined approval and verification processes.
• Dramatic reduction in material and labor waste from outdated specifications, ensuring more efficient utilization through more accurate pull requests.
• Improved inventory accuracy and location tracking for forklift operators.
• Lower inventory carrying costs through improved material management.
• Faster project completion thanks to reduced rework cycles.
• Predictable device replacement costs improved budget forecasting.