Profit Value Analysis per Exel Business Centre

Management Information System (MIS)

July 2002

BG&S, along with Exel’s New Technologies Departments, has developed

the MIS information analysis system that allows the analysis of the

operating result and profit value per centre, volume and quality indicators,

transportation cost, invoicing and productivity per client.

Introduction

Troughout February, March and June of 2002, Exel and BG&S undertook the development of a

tool that allows information analysis per business centre according to specific guidelines issued

by the Head of the Systems Department.

Taking the system LMS (information system associated to the Management of Warehouses) as a

starting point, the requirements that should comply with the new system are defined. The aim is

focused on creating an efficient and accessible tool, so that the head of the organization can

make better decisions based on the data obtained.

Therefore, it is necessary develop a user-friendly tool that comprises all the pertinent information.

This tool is implemented in a new application accessible from the Exel Intranet.

Client Profile

Exel is the global leader in supply

chain management, providing

customer focused solutions to a

wide range of manufacturing and

retail industries. Exel’s

comprehensive range of

innovative logistics solutions

encompasses the complete

supply chain from design and

consulting through freight

forwarding, warehousing and

distribution services to integrated

information management and ecommerce

support.

Exel, a UK listed, FTSE 100

company, has turnover of over

£4.5 billion (US$6.5 billion) and

employs more than 60,000 people

in 1,300 locations in over 120

countries worldwide. Exel’s

customers include over two thirds

of the world’s largest, quoted nonfinancial

companies. More

information is available at

www.exel.com

.

Approach

Exel’s aim is to build flexible and

scalableplatform-based

information analysis tools that can

easily integrate with existing

applications.

Advantages

The solution developed by BG&S

has enabled Exel to benefit from:

-

Fast analysis of the

information by business

centre.

-

Scalability and integration

with the existing

environments.

-

Global Implantation in its

Intranet.

Software and Services

Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0

Windows

 2000 Server with

Microsoft Internet Information

Services (IIS)

Microsoft SQL Server 2000

and OLAP services (Analysis

Services)

BG&S B

USSINES SOLUTIONS

The Solution

The information analysis system solution provided by BG&S is based on the use of both relational

and OLAP information systems. Relational systems are used to make detail level calculations,

while OLAP systems are utilized to consolidate information into aggregate levels.

This solution is based on various multidimensional models associated to the functional needs of

each area of the organization.

The project rollout is divided in the following phases:

Phase 1: Prior study:

Requirement evaluation and Functional analysis. After a

thorough analysis of the company and its information sources, a functional document is drafted in

which guidelines are set in order to follow a correct development of the system and it is approval

by the person in charge of Exel. This document can provide an approximation of the real data

models that will configure the final system, definition of report types and user functionalities of the

reports.

Phase 2: Oracle Interface Definition:

Definition of the primary procurement data

structure. Once the multidimensional models have been set, guidelines are established so that

the design of the Oracle Interface can be adapted to the previously defined functional needs.

The person in charge of the interface is responsible of obtaining the data from Exel’s

information systems.

Phase 3: User Interface:

It contains all the reports based upon which the user can

analyze the data contained in the multidimensional models.

There are four types of report:

1. Evolution Report:

analysis of dimension members in a selected period, showing

the evolution of each variable from past to the chosen periods.

2. Comparative Report

: comparison in values between measures in each model.

3. Ranking Report

: maximum number of members in a dimension depending on the

highest value of a measure. Allows the possibility of obtaining higher profit centers and

sectors

4. Free Analysis Report

: tailored reports according to each users needs.

Home screen:

Report Sample:

Phase 4: Data Transformation Services:

Transformation programs that load data into the

multidimensional models. The final multidimensional models are obtained from the Oracle

Interface according to the data obtained and the initial requirements. The models include the

following indicators:

1.

Transport: transported volumes per centre, client and province.

2.

Handling: volumes handled at each centre per client.

3.

Warehouse: warehouse volumes per centre and client, one of Exel’s key business lines.

4.

Administration: invoicing per client and centre.

5.

Financial: profit value per centre and client.

6.

Human Resources: productivity per centre and client.

7.

Quality of Service: service fulfilment and notice times agreed with each client, with the

possibility of evaluating if quality standards are reached.

8.

Indicators: calculated ratios of all the other multidimensional models.

The initial data load is carried out with one centre (A Coruña) and, after data validation, will serve

as the template for the other centres.

Phase 5: Integral tests:

Before the application goes live, Exel will carry out a full

validation of the system and will give final approval, thus guaranteeing that the requirements have

been fulfilled and allowing the loading of data for the remaining centers.

The Benefits

Flexibility, Scalability, Integration

The benefits rendered by the analysis tool are various. First of all, board members can easily

access and analyze the data generated by the organization and thus make better decisions.

Second, information is updated on a daily basis and its flexibility allows for information analysis

based upon new management criteria, opening/closing centres, etc., which is one of its major

advantages.

Finally, the system is fully scalable and can integrate with the existing information systems.

The Future

As a result of the recent merger with MSAS, Exel plans to unify all its systems. This initiative will

set the basis of a much larger project in which a Datawarehouse will integrate and unify all the

company data, in a client-detail level and with a daily information update.

For more information

For more information about BG&S’s products and services visit the Web site at

http://www.bgsonline.com

© 2002 BG&S. All rights are reserved.

This “practical solution” is published with an informative effect. BG&S does NOT OFFER, EXPRESS NOR

IMPLY GUARANTEES IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, Visual Studio, Microsoft SQL Server are registered

commercial products of Microsoft Corporation. The company names and products mentioned in this

document may be registered products of its respective owners.

For more information

For more information about BG&S’s products and services visit the Web site at

http://www.bgsonline.com

© 2002 BG&S. All the rights are reserved.

This “practical solution” is published as an informative effect. BG&S does NOT OFFER NEITHER EXPRESS

NEITHER IMPLICITIES GUARANTIES, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, Visual Studio, Microsoft SQL Server

are registered commercial products of Microsoft Corporation. The company names and products mentioned

in this document can be registered products of its respective owners.