Ohio Department of Mental Health Improves
Customer Service and Logistics with Upp

Client Profile:

The Ohio Department of Mental Health distributes both pharmaceutical and food goods to State-run mental health and prison facilities. Shipping over 100 million dollars in inventory each year, the need for efficiency, accuracy and accountability is extremely high.

Coupling the logistic needs with a desire to better service its customers with increased order visibility, enhanced order entry, customer item catalog management, and general portal capabilities, the Ohio Department of Mental Health increased the project scope to include the implementation of a full suite of accounting software.

Solution:

Upp project management professionals controlled the implementation and integration of both IRMS and Microsoft Great Plains, providing the State with a single point of contact. The Ohio Department of Mental Health deployed IRMS Warehouse Management in conjunction with Microsoft Great Plains to modernize its approach to logistics, customer service, and accounting procedures. The implementation of the IRMS system quickly replaced the paper-based logistic processes previously in place, allowing the Department to increase throughput in receiving, inventory control and shipping. Knowledge of where controlled products are sent is a mandate in today's regulated world. The distribution of food and pharmaceutical items require unique tracking and accountability that IRMS and Great Plains manage through enhanced lot control traceability and in-depth auditing facilities.

Microsoft Business Portal software has been implemented to provide the Department's customers a single point of contact with their distributor. Enhanced reporting, customer-managed order entry, and receivable information are enabling customers to stay informed, while decreasing customer service costs for the State. Following project methodologies, such as the PMI Institute's PMBOK, allowed the State project stakeholders to clearly understand the roles, responsibilities and timeline at every stage of the implementation. Upp project managers provided the experience necessary to lead the business process analysis, system element mapping, and testing procedures, ensuring customer success with such a large-scale implementation.

Business Value:

The overall implemented solution has allowed the Ohio Department of Mental Health to leverage technology, industry best practices and human capital to achieve 100% inventory and shipping accuracy, providing customers with simplified management, lowered costs and improved control in a heavily-regulated business environment.