WHG3

Consulting Services and Offerings

 

Current equipment and job evaluation.

Our first task will be to understand and document your current jobs and equipment.  In many instances, you may already have the necessary equipment on hand, so product enhancements or upgrades to the current equipment may be able to handle the new jobs you are trying to obtain.  WHG3 may also find that through more operator training and/or product knowledge you could increase the production of current equipment.  So, before even identifying what products you should consider buying, we will evaluate your current equipment.

Once it has been established that new equipment is needed, WHG3 will perform the following:

Document the new jobs the equipment is going to process.  This would include all aspects of the jobs including, but not limited to:

            Job size by number of pieces and sheets.
            Time allotted to get the job completed (SLA’s).
            Number and types of inserts required.
            Printers and software used to print the job (if applicable).
            Postage requirements.
            Address printing if applicable.
            Defining equipment needed to run current jobs.
            Codes on documents for machine control.
            Tracking requirements if needed.

Assisting with writing an RFP or RFI

Writing a concise RFP or RFI is no small task.  You first need to have some understanding of what is possible, based on the equipment available in today’s marketplace.  You also need to know the right questions to ask the vendors.  WHG3 will first evaluate the different types of jobs you are planning to run on this new equipment.  In many cases, more than one group or division in a company may need to be involved.  These different groups may include mail services, IT, and the group responsible for printing. WHG3 will work with these groups to incorporate everyone’s input and needs.  Once that is identified we will narrow down the search of possible vendors and begin the writing process.

Vendor evaluation

This is where WHG3’s non-biased approach is invaluable.  We come in with no preconceived bias toward any vendor.  Our sole goal is to find the most cost effective solution for your needs.  If you are not focused on cost from the beginning, you may not make the right equipment decisions for your company.  Vendor evaluations may involve visits to the vendor and, of course, users of the equipment.  The visits to the users will not involve the vendor.  In most cases, WHG3 knows of companies that use the equipment and can arrange a visit without the vendor being present.  Needless to say, the vendor wants to control these visits and take you to users who will say the right things (or the things the vendor has asked them to say).  By visiting users without the vendors, we will get honest answers to our questions.

Vendor Trial

The client may also ask for a trial evaluation of the equipment in its facility.  WHG3 can also add value in facilitating this evaluation from a planning aspect.  This could include product samples for the vendor to adjust the system prior to shipment.  A vendor’s on-site acceptance of the equipment is always a good idea.  The last thing the client needs is to receive a piece of equipment that doesn’t work upon arrival, because it consumes untold amounts of time 

Evaluation document

Once all the vendors have submitted their proposals, WHG3 will set a time for the vendor to formally present its proposal.  The client would be involved as well.  The most important aspect of the session would be to ask the vendor questions about the proposal it has submitted.  WHG3 will moderate the session and document the results.  These results will be used in the evaluation process.

Upon completion of the vendor presentations and review of all the proposals WHG3 will make its recommendation to the client.  A complete listing of all the factors involved in the decision making process is presented both orally and in writing.

Implementation

The client may request WHG3 to continue on with the project, including: 

Creating floor plans.
Addressing electrical and compressed air issues.
Overseeing equipment installation.
Conducting acceptance tests.
Final acceptance testing and sign-off.

Ongoing Monthly Performance Meetings (MPM’s)

Clients can request that WHG3 coordinate monthly performance meetings for at least the first year.  These meetings are designed to monitor all aspects of production and identify any problems or other issues that need addressing.  At these meetings:

WHG3 serves as moderator, taking minutes of each meeting. Minutes are sent to all necessary parties.  The minutes include production numbers, up-time and down-time percentages, and any issues the client may have with the equipment itself or the software that controls the equipment.  A priority ranking for each issue would also be noted in the report. These priority rankings are used to track issues for follow up.

Who should attend these meetings?

Client’s personnel - This could and should be all the groups that are responsible directly or indirectly with getting the work out the door.  They may include production (Division heads, Supervisors and Operators.  If there are issues with print they should be included.  If there is tracking software involved IT should be present as well.  There should always be someone in charge of service if the client is maintaining the equipment.

The equipment vendor - The vendor is always required to designate at least one representative on the call.  Prior to the meeting, the client or WHG3 will often request  that a certain person or group be on hand.  These people could be from sales, service or software support.