Provide a brief description of the Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative.
John Deere Information Services (JDIS) engaged Insight Canada to provide a wireless solution for John Deere independently owned network of dealer warehouses across the country, as well as simplified hardware procurement and lab configuration services. Insight delivered Cisco access points and Motorola scanner bundles to 81 Canadian dealers as part of JDIS’s wireless infrastructure project. The scanners were to be used to track tractor parts in their warehouses. In order to simplify the procurement process, Insight created a custom online ordering portal for John Deere’s network of dealers. Through that portal, dealers at 81 locations were able to order configured access points and scanner bundles specifically custom configured to their unique network environments. This online portal is also used by JDIS to order desktops, notebooks and accessories. And finally, Insight provided advanced technical know-how needed to properly configure advanced networking devices.
Describe what makes this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative original or innovative. How is this over and above the accepted norm?
The online portal that is used by JDIS for ordering both the scanner bundles and their regular desktops an extra service that Insight provides. This service allows JDIS to control what product their network of dealers can order, as well as ensures they receive the agreed upon pricing. Furthermore, Insight had customized scanner and access point bundles that were available for JDIS only.
Describe the improvement this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative made to the customer’s sales or revenues. What changed? Provide evidence of measurable improvements in sales, revenues, cost reduction, etc.
John Deere Information Services were able to reduce costs in three ways: First they received the benefits of IT infrastructure standardization in terms of which system models their dealers could purchase at a predictable cost level. Second, by having each location order online through the customized portal, JDIS was able to reduce procurement costs. Thirdly, by using the scanner bundles in the warehouse, it is predicted that John Deere would save approximately 526 hours per year, and reduce inventory by 5%.
Describe the improvement this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative made to the customer’s efficiency. What changed? Provide evidence of how customer efficiency was increased.
John Deere Information Services were able to concentrate on the actual onsite wireless infrastructure project at each dealer location instead of on the procurement, distribution and configuration process. This resulted project efficiency improvements compared to having to order components for 81 diverse network environments from a central location. The benefits of IT infrastructure standardization also include reduce support time when problems arise, as the equipment is the same across the locations. The benefits of using the scanners in the warehouse are enumerable – from fewer man hours needed for picking parts, to the reduced number of errors, JDIS will reap the benefits of this wireless infrastructure well into the long term.
How did this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative improve the customer’s ability to serve its internal and/or external clients? Provide evidence of the improvement.
John Deere Information Services through Insight are now able to offer their network of dealers a one-stop shopping experience for all their IT needs; from normal computer accessory purchases, to new desktops and notebooks, to specialized equipment such as access points and barcode scanners which must be custom configured for each dealer location. With the help of the wireless scanner, John Deere warehouses can now serve their internal customers more quickly and more efficiently, with fewer human errors.
In what ways does this Solution, Service Provided, or Initiative go above and beyond industry norms and expectations?
Insight was able to offer our customer the following : * A diverse collection of hardware brands to meet all their dealers’ needs by leveraging our distribution partnerships * The advanced technical know-how to properly configure advanced networking devices such as access points and barcode scanners remotely which resulted in time savings for the onsite teams during the wireless infrastructure installation projects. * An Innovative and customized procurement process.
