The Strauss Consulting Group provides a full range of consulting services in Supply Chain Management; Material Handling Logistics; Warehousing and Distribution; and Manufacturing. We study, scrutinize, plan, design, and implement projects that are customized for each client which provide for projected growth, and can be implemented with minimal disruption to ongoing business.
We work very closely with our clients to form a cohesive project team providing “temporary executive management” for specific corporate goals. Our offerings provide the client with the choice between comprehensive studies or mini projects such as audits in different areas of expertise, so you may want to hire us for an audit, an inventory study, or to determine effectiveness of the current data processing system. We offer complete implementation services to ensure that the various technologies, systems, staffing, and equipment all operate as a unified, functional whole. The client will be provided with the tools to plan growth rather than react to it.
Strauss Consulting Group offers different types of studies based on our clients’ needs with numerous and varied core competencies
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Conventional Studies to provide a complete understanding of future business requirements regarding operating systems; space planning and layout; equipment; and staffing with accompanying ROI, based on growth projections and design year
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Audit/Quick Fix Programs to analyze the present system, recommend quick-fixes and detail areas that require further study for long-term solutions
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Inventory/Product Mix to learn which products are not selling and their financial impact; true vs. planned inventory levels; recommendations for corrections; and provision of methods and retraining to avoid repetition of mistakes
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Data Processing Analysis to determine how well the present system, both software and hardware can serve present and future needs. Recommendations will be provided to tweak or modify the existing system; to acquire a new software package; or a comparison of both options will be provided to determine the best course of action
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Buy or Sell Audits for those buying or selling a business, please click on the “buying or selling a business” link
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STRAUSS CONSULTING GROUP COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES:
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FACILITY DESIGN & SPACE PLANNING
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Evaluate how much space is required for a given operation or how to best use available space
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Move vs. changeover and/or building additions analysis
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Optimal layouts for warehousing, distribution, or manufacturing operations combining best options for facility flow and space utilization
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Site and Location Studies for optimal service and reduced costs
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Guidance for selection among available facilities
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Material flow pattern analysis
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New facility and building addition requirements
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Feasibility Studies for all options
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Building Configuration recommendations
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Computer Aided Design (CAD) based layouts
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OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS AND PROCESS ANALYSIS
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Plan operational procedures and systems and document existing methods for
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Receiving |
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Put-away |
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Dock management and cross-docking |
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Replenishment |
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Order picking distribution |
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Picking - batch, wave, zone, etc. |
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Order consolidation |
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Order checking |
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Peacking |
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Shipping |
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Internal, external transportation |
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Cycle counting |
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Returns
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MATERIAL HANDLING EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS, ACQUISITION
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Determine applicable material handling and storage equipment to meet operational goals for conventional and automated systems including:
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Storage modules (pallet racks, push-back racks, pallet and case flow racks, drive-in racks, bins, etc.) |
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Material handling devices - pallet jacks, conveyors, lift trucks (very narrow aisle, narrow aisle, side-loader, Bendi) |
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Dock equipment planning including safety systems |
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Packing station design, methods, equipment |
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Automation at cost effective levels:
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| • Barcode and scanning devices |
| • RFID chip technology |
| • Carton and unit sortation |
| • Pick/pack to light rack |
| • Pick to light and RF carts |
| • Carousel |
| • A-Frame and other automated picking systems |
| • Rack runner |
| • AS/RS |
| • AGV |
| • Mini-load |
• Hands free, paperless systems
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Gap analysis – existing equipment vs. business demands
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Provide material handling systems specifications and selection criteria
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Estimate project and equipment budget costs with associated ROI analysis
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Bid packages and associated services:
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Develop bid requirements and request for proposal |
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Bid analysis & vendor selection |
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Meet with vendors to assist with their selection |
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Assist the selected material handling and storage equipment vendors with equipment design |
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Evaluate and report on vendor quotes for material handling and storage equipment to assure all vendors meet quality, service, cost, and scheduling requirements and note differences among bids
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MANUFACTURING / ASSEMBLY
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Manufacturing Flow Analysis
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Work station planning, layout, ergonomics, storage
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Methods & Techniques
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Lot Sizing
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Equipment Needs, Automation
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JIT Planning
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Production performance Measurement
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MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
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Study present inventory levels and product mix
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Recommend changes |
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Find causes of inappropriate levels |
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Retrain purchasing & Inventory staff
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Location systems to simplify operations and shorten pick line
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Product slotting, planographing
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Order processing analysis
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Paperwork & Office Procedures
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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, DATA PROCESSING, WMS STUDY
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Determine IT requirements to support present and future operating requirements
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Review of present operating software to determine if modification or a new package is required
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Based on review, provide Internal Systems Design or new software specifications and acquisition assistance
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Warehouse Management System (WMS) services
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Determine if existing software can be modified to delay WMS purchase |
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Provide WMS planning, requirements, Request For Proposal
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Hardware specifications and acqusition services
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Technology planning and design Including Barcode Systems
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PLANNING / CONTROL
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Supply Chain Analysis
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Benchmarking studies
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Company, division, staff, employee performance reporting, control and tracking systems with associated staffing estimates
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Budget projections:
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Capital Budgets
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• Comparative analysis
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Operating budgets
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Customer service programs to determine present levels of satisfaction and methods for improvement
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Security and Safety Programs
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PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
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Implementation of quick fixes
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Critical path charting and scheduling, Gantt Charts
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Prepare a move plan specifying personnel, material handling equipment, and supplies required in each facility and a budget and schedule for the move
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Develop a locator system transition methodology to assign locations from the old to the new system for the move.
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Work with staff to select and apply locator systems and product group placement to the chosen facility layout
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Slot product in the new facility. Determine picking location/type strategies and assist in assignment of product groups to warehouse sections and rack types with designated member of the client project team
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Plan the set up of the new facility including rack labeling, floor striping, sign hanging, etc
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Meet with vendors before installation and start-up, monitor their progress during installation, and inspect the completed system to ensure adherence to project requirements
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Provide an experienced presence during the move or changeover, assisting management whenever necessary to assure a smooth and efficient transition
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Hands-on assistance during the start-up and debugging of the new operation
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Complete project management services as required
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