Fortra > Case Studies > Streamlining Manufacturing Processes and Reducing Paperwork with IoT: A Case Study on Humphrey Products Company

Streamlining Manufacturing Processes and Reducing Paperwork with IoT: A Case Study on Humphrey Products Company

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Dock Management Systems (DMS)

Applicable Industries

Electronics
Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation
Procurement

Use Cases

Inventory Management
Time Sensitive Networking

Services

System Integration

About The Customer

Humphrey Products Company is a pneumatic valve manufacturer based in Michigan, in operation since 1901. The company supplies valves used in multiple industries, including medical, transportation, and conveying applications. They were previously using a Windows-based document management system that had limited functionality and required hard copies for document routing. The company was in need of a more robust document management solution, particularly for managing their engineering drawings and streamlining the Accounts Payable department's processes.

The Challenge

Humphrey Products Company, a Michigan-based pneumatic valve manufacturer, was grappling with an outdated Windows-based document management system (DMS) that had limited functionality and still required hard copies for document routing. The situation worsened when Microsoft acquired the software they had been using and discontinued its support. The company was in dire need of a more robust DMS, particularly for managing their engineering drawings. They required a centralized storage location and version control to ensure that workers on the shop floor were using the latest drawings to create the valves. Additionally, the Accounts Payable department was heavily reliant on manual processes, which was time-consuming and inefficient.

The Solution

Humphrey Products Company found their solution in Webdocs, a product from Fortra. This software offered a more robust document management solution, allowing anyone with authority and internet access to easily pull up various types of documents and interface with or pull data from the IBM i system. The company expanded the usage of Webdocs beyond managing engineering drawings to other areas, including Accounts Payable. The software enabled the creation of 20-30 workflows to process invoices, receivers, packing slips, outgoing shipments, and more. Invoices were scanned into the system, and approval systems were set up with Webdocs, eliminating the need for physical document routing. Humphrey also implemented an electronic forms solution from Fortra, Webdocs Creation & Delivery, to further streamline processes. This software automated the assembly of work order jobs, saving significant employee time.

Operational Impact

The implementation of Webdocs has significantly streamlined Humphrey's processes. The software has not only automated the Accounts Payable processes but also empowered users to access any document they have authority to see, eliminating the need to physically travel across the building to retrieve information. This has resulted in significant time savings across multiple departments. Furthermore, the version control feature ensures that workers on the shop floor are always using the latest engineering drawings, reducing the risk of errors. The president of the company, recognizing the value and savings brought by Webdocs, is continually exploring other potential applications of the software within the organization.

Quantitative Benefit

The invoice automation process is saving the Accounts Payable team 20 hours per week.
The Supply Chain department, with the help of Webdocs Creation & Delivery, has saved 10 hours of employee time per week.
Nearly the entire 100-person office at Humphrey now uses Webdocs, indicating a high adoption rate.