Presentation to Group Steering Committee on Lessons learnt from Implementation of Tilechester Pilot Computers were introduced into Betabuild Builders Merchants, Tilechester on April 1st 1986 for stock recording. Order entry went live in January 1987 and the whole system was live on June 1st 1987. The effect was summarized by the Tilechester manager:- "Now that we have installed the system I cannot see how any company carrying the number of stock items that we do could remain competitive without computers. Benefits include reduced errors and better accounting controls, plus staff are freed of mundane clerical details and able to provide a far better service to our customers." The lessons learnt during this time are outlined in the following report under five main headings; staff, Physical, Customer, Computer/Security and Backup.
TABLE TO SHOW POSSIBLE CHANGES IN STAFFING AFTER COMPUTERIZATION Department Before After Reduction Computer 5 5 0 Sales 20 20 0 Office 0 40 10 Warehouse 10 10 0 Drivers 10 10 0 1.
Warid Telecom customer services and sales point
San Carlos Apache woman, c. 1883-1887
Ba-keitz-ogie (Yellow Coyote), U.S. Army ScoutStaff 1.1 Changes As you can see there will be very few changes in staffing after the introduction of computers. Some redundancies are inevitable and staff involved with the computer will definitely experience changes.
1.2 Training 1.21 Clerical Staff Training is vital and the training at Tilechester was generally effective in teaching people to operate the new system. However, videos must be followed by "hands on" training within 2 days or the impact is lost.
1.22 Area Managers The major problem I envisage is that of training Managers in how to interpret the information provided. Training is needed on how to check the reports quickly.
1.23 Sales Managers Sales managers will need to be trained in the understanding of sales related reports and how these can be applied to control the sales force more effectively.
2. Physical Turning to the physical side...