Benefits

• Java application meets current needs; is scalable to handle future growth
• Application improves productivity 500% at a 50% cost savings
• High-performance system does not interfere with other client resources

Challenge

For a global direct merchant company that ships a huge volume of packages daily, filling orders quickly is essential. As the orders arrive — by telephone, over the Web, or by mail — at an ever-growing pace, efficient and accurate processing remains a top priority.

This company needed to create an order-processing system that could meet the current heavy processing demand and that had the capacity to grow as business continued to expand.

Stratagem’s Solution

Stratagem built from scratch a Java application that serves as the operator for this client's semi-automated packing and shipping system. The system, the only one of its kind in the U.S., processes orders at the rate of one per second. Insertion of packing slips and other materials is a part of this critical-performance function.

A Stratagem team consisting of several Java developers, a technical lead, and business analyst assisted with the design of the overall system architecture. The team performed most of the coding, and worked with client DBAs to design and modify database tables that would support the application. The team also assisted with the configuration of print server and printing hardware and provided input regarding purchases of software and hardware required by application. The Stratagem team also helped with testing and implementation.

The system interfaces with many types of hardware: thin-client workstations, thermal printers, barcode scanners, and programmable logic controllers. A data-caching feature boosts the performance of the application (load-balanced over multiple servers at the IP routing level) while reducing the impact on client resources. The application, originally designed for a single packaging and shipping project, has been adopted for other client projects, including the processing of back orders and the on-line printing of pick tickets.

Result

Stratagem's application processes about 3,600 shipments per hour. Each shipment requires the printing of at least a packing list and shipping label. Shipments can now be packed six times the rate of the old system — 180 shipments per hour as opposed to the old rate of 30 per hour — and at a 50% cost savings.

Stratagem has provided the client with a scalable, re-usable architecture that is bug-free and has high-performance capabilities. The client has been quite satisfied with the project, which was concluded on time and within budget.