Integrated, computer-aided order fulfillment

Abstract

The process for producing bank checks is well established, and semi automated systems for doing so have been in place for several years. However, these legacy systems are now having difficulty meeting new customer demands. To support greater product variability and responsiveness to new customer requirements, our company (Deluxe Corp.) decided to reexamine its current process with an eye to increased automation. The resulting Post Press System replaced highly labor-intensive, inflexible check order processing and fulfillment with an approach that integrates flexible manufacturing with real time, object database concepts. Several months after initial deployment, the benefits of this integration are significant. Our company can process new orders more quickly, with higher accuracy, and at lower cost. The system also allows rapid order cancellation. Further, the new plastic wrap provides a tamper-evident package, a security feature of paramount importance to our clients. In addition, the PPS's modularity facilitates its rapid deployment in a new factory setting. Deluxe's investment in the PPS's design and deployment has been repaid in cost and time savings. The new architecture has laid the foundation for further manufacturing process automation-beyond order fulfillment and packaging. It provides an interface to new manufacturing technologies and helps Deluxe and its clients implement innovative marketing techniques.