Archive for September, 2009
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
CASE STUDY
A retail client wanted to changeout their existing store fixtures with updated, new tables. Resicom was relied upon to build the new tables, properly install the new fixtures, and remove old, damaged tables.
Scope
The scope of work needed to complete this project:
- Receive new tables from manufacturer and inspect to ensure shipment is received in excellent condition.
- Remove existing worn and damaged tables.
- Assemble and install all new tables.
- Dispose of old tables.
Challenges
The challenges of this project included:
- Unloading tables is time consuming because of large, awkward packaging.
- Retail merchandise must be moved from old fixture to new with no disruption to layout and visual display.
- The dumpster was not located in close proximity to store, requiring all debris to be carted through the back hallways of mall.
Solution
For this project to be successful, Resicom needed to deliver normalcy to the client by swapping the old tables for new without disrupting staff and merchandise.
Our solution to this project included:
- Dollies and moving carts were used to expedite the easy exchange of old tables for new.
- Pictures of the merchandise on the existing table were taken for reference. After tables were assembled, merchandise was returned to tables according to exact visual display.
- Coordinating the positioning of the dumpster to be situated as close as possible to the mall saved on loading debris into a truck and bringing to an offsite dump.
Summary
Resicom delivered normalcy to the client by swapping the old tables for new without disrupting staff and merchandise. The worn tables were distracting the shopping experience by drawing attention to the disrepair. The new tables ensured that the customers do not necessarily notice upon what the merchandise was displayed, but rather- focus on the merchandise itself.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: facility maintenance, fixture rollout, Resicom, www.resicomonline.com | No Comments »
Friday, September 18th, 2009
Resicom Solution Team Members will travel to Dallas October 14-15 to attend PRSM’s Mid-Year Conference ’09.
Resicom will host its own booth to present our business approach and how we ask the questions that promote greater clarity and open possibilities.
“We are looking forward to this opportunity to introduce our disciplined structure and display what makes Resicom unique to nationwide clients,” says Executive VP Rick Detres.
The Professional Retail Store Management Association, in which Resicom has enjoyed active membership and participation, brings together top retailers and service providers to network and discuss key trends in the facility maintenance industry.
This particular conference agenda focuses on “Be the Best in Your Business with Best Practices.” Presentations will identify and address the best of the best practices that help define the future of retail facilities maintenance.
Posted in Resicom Announcements | Tags: facility maintenance, John Fairclough, PRSM, Resicom, Rick Detres | No Comments »
Friday, September 18th, 2009
Why should a significant block of time be scheduled for quarterly strategic meetings when busy executives have so many other pressing responsibilities?
Few phrases elicit as many groans in a company as the dreaded “Let’s schedule our quarterly meeting”. The most effective quarterly strategics should take place over the course of 1 to 2 days. When participants learn quarterly strategics will encompass at least a day, they aren’t just groaning at the prospect, they are now gnashing their teeth! Corporate America has come to correlate “marathon” strategic meetings as synonymous with boring, unproductive, and even a waste of time. Many employees actually see these meetings as a chore that’s simply a formality, with the real decision-making happening afterwards.
It’s a shame that strategic meetings evoke such negative connotations. What is more vital and exciting to a company than determining where the company is going, how it’s going to get there and how the team knows if it got there or not? Too often, companies fail to schedule the appropriate amount of time needed to generate and debate these questions. Instead, meeting organizers bow to the misconception that less is more. To delve past surface issues, dive into poignant objectives and then outline concrete action plans, strategic meetings can’t be rushed. Trying to compress strategic meetings will only result in ineffective discussion where little is resolved. Making the time investment of a strategic meeting is actually investing in a company’s future.
Setting aside the appropriate amount of time ensures the participants can achieve four key objectives:
- Review corporate strategy
- Review industry trends and competitive landscape
- Review key personnel
- Review team development
Pitfalls to avoid when scheduling strategic meetings include:
- Not scheduling the meeting offsite is inviting disruptions and distractions
- Including social activities and inviting spouses/family dilute focus
- Over-structuring topics burdens the schedule
- Poor planning leads to poor execution
Posted in Entrepreneur Cafe, The Resicom Philosophy | Tags: brand protection, business strategy, corporate structure, entrepreneur, facility maintenance, http://entrepreneurcafe.blogspot.com, John Fairclough, Resicom, retail maintenance | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
A client had a facility where the wood floor was in dire need of replacement. Multiple attempts by various vendors to refinish the wood floor had finally left the floor in a state of disrepair that was simply unacceptable to the client’s standards. The uneven floor had not only become an aesthetic eye sore, but it now posed a serious tripping hazard and had instigated several legal cases against the client. The store boasts a unique, upscale presentation and the ornate floor was no exception. Resicom was aware that the project would be extremely difficult, but the client empowered us go to any extreme to have the replacement floor retain the original look.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute the project includes:
- Replace the entire floor in both the sales and stockroom area.
- Source the necessary material and coordinate delivery to the store location.
- Material must be an exact replacement of the existing floor.
- Installation must commence in two weeks, and must be completed in 3 nights so that business is not affected.
Challenges
The constraints of the project include:
- A Resicom Project Manager needed to be immediately assigned to the project due to the condensed timeline.
- The project is taking place in Oklahoma City, OK.
- The material is not available in the United States.
- In order to complete an installation of this magnitude we will need 5 trained employees working all night for all three nights.
- Working within budget to be cost effective for our client.
Solution
Understanding the client and knowing their expectations is the key to effective project execution. Resicom needed to follow a detailed process with a strong team of reliable technicians in order for this project to be a success.
Our solution to this project included:
- Adjusting the necessary manpower to ensure a thorough team and disciplined manager is available for the duration of the project.
- Immediately researching hotel room rates, flights and rental card to secure the best rates.
- Secure a skilled, licensed floor installer and utilizing our Resicom Community Partners to complete the majority of the installation.
- We leveraged our supplier contacts to network and locate the necessary materials in London saving valuable time by not having to randomly call companies overseas.
- Establishing payment terms with our partners for discounts when invoices are paid within 5 to 10 days to help lower the overall cost to the client.
Summary
At Resicom we understand the frustrations that a client may experience within their stores to maintain high standards and brand protection. Finding innovative solutions to help return normalcy to our client’s day is what Resicom strives to do. The client should not have to concern themselves with details when Resicom puts our project management and execution plans into action. The client was able to give us the green light and return to examine their beautiful new floor.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: emergency maintenance, facility maintenance, John Fairclough, Resicom, specialty project resicom, www.resicomonline.com | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
CASE STUDY
A client needed a painting rollout completed on 90 locations in 30 days.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute the project included:
- Paint 90 gas stations across two states.
- Work needs to be completed in 30 days and needs to start the 1st of the month.
- Each location has a list of certain items to be completed with a priority level of order associated with each.
- Each store has a pre-determined budget.
- If for any reason cost may exceed the pre-determined budget, the client must be contacted to review and approve the new costs.
- Specific client approved paint and color scheme must be followed.
- Supply the client with detailed updates including photos to ensure compliance.
Challenges
The constraints of the project include:
- Organizing and scheduling crews for 90 stores in the 30 day timeframe.
- Ordering the proper materials within a 3 day turnaround.
- Educating all crews on the scope of work and properly equipping all crews with correct paints.
- Weather contingency plans must be determined.
Solution
When a project has such a restrictive time schedule, thorough planning is crucial. The tendency to immediately jump into execution can actually be a project’s downfall. Instead, by having a calculated outline and specific plans to deal with inclement weather, we were able to complete the entire painting project within the specified timeframe.
Our solution to this project included:
- All projects are entered on a master calendar so that the appropriate crew members and supervisors can be dispatched.
- Suppliers are contacted to order the necessary paint specs.
- Time is set aside for all crew members to educate and brief the team on the scope of work and to explain the procedures for paperwork and updates to client.
- Back up crews are organized and put on stand-by in the event of inclement weather.
- Crews are in constant communication with an office based contact so that budget is tracked. If a particular store is nearing the “do not exceed amount” the Home Office support contacts the client to explain the necessary cost.
- Each crew is provided a digital camera in supply the client with updates and a visual progress report.
Summary
Resicom is a thinking company that is committed to developing effective project planning before beginning a single step of execution. By taking time to formulate our strategy and creating contingency plans, Resicom can guarantee a project’s overall success, an also minimize wasteful and excess spending.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: exterior painting, John Fairclough, nationwide painting, Resicom, resicomonline.com | No Comments »
Monday, September 14th, 2009
CASE STUDY
A client felt that discarded, blackened gum stuck to the brick outside their high-end retail facility was beginning to compromise their aesthetic standards and consequently their brand. Resicom was contacted to effectively remove the gum without damaging the brick.
Scope
The scope of work needed to complete this project:
- Remove all gum and tar from brick at 3 separate entrances.
- Research cleaning solvent and/ or methods to effectively remove gum without damaging or discoloring brick.
Challenges
The challenges of this project included:
- The gum was old and had hardened making removal extremely difficult.
- The brick is porous and extreme care had to be taken to not damage the brick.
- Scraping off the gum and using certain cleaning products could permanently discolor or possibly chip the brick.
Solution
Resicom was able to leverage knowledge from our team of experts to research and then create a process on how to effectively remove the gum without damaging the brick surface.
Our solution to the project included:
- Allow the product to sit for several minutes to dislodge gum.
- Using a pressure washer to not only remove all gum remnants, but also clean the brick.
- Manually scrubbing in between cracks of the bricks to be sure that all gum is removed.
Summary
Although Resicom had not previously executed a brick/ gum removal work order, we were confident in our ability to execute an effective project using our tried and true standard- process- audit. Resicom gathered the necessary information from our in-house experts so that we did not waste valuable time in trial and error methods. Resicom understands that poor planning leads to poor execution, so we invest the necessary energy to develop a well-detailed plan.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: John Fairclough, project management, Resicom, resicomonline.com, specialty project resicom | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 11th, 2009
Resicom received a nomination for the national “Shine A Light” Business Award. Resicom has been recognized as an inspiring business whose purpose is to creates opportunities and solutions that other companies can’t. Solutions aren’t limited to only clients, and opportunities are extended beyond Resicom’s employees to the community at large.
American Express has partnered with NBC Universal to highlight businesses that make a difference by “leading the country and local communities to a new and better way of working and thinking. Through good times and bad, their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit can serve as an inspiration to us all.”
Resicom strives to incorporate innovative business approaches in demanding economic times while still giving back to the community through programs such as Little Beans and other outreach programs.
Supporters can lend their endorsement to Advance Resicom to the next round of judging by clicking on the link Resicom Nomination. and reading the full profile story.
Posted in Resicom Announcements | Tags: facility maintenance, John Fairclough, Shine A Light Award | No Comments »
Thursday, September 10th, 2009
Resicom is much like a vampire- we often do our best work at night. Our nationwide scalability usually dictates overnight project execution to minimize disruption to facilities’ guests and staff. Therefore, when asked to paint a store during the day, we had to shift gears and mindset on how to structure daytime project management during the facility’s regular business hours.
Scope
The scope of work needed to complete this project:
- Complete a storefront repaint with a new paint spec during regular business hours.
Challenges
The challenges of this project included:
- Keeping the store entrance unencumbered of equipment and clear for customers’ passage.
- Ensure a safe and unobtrusive work environment for both customers and technicians.
- Prevent overspray on any surfaces that are not to be painted.
Solution
By outlining a specific structure to our project approach, we were able to maximize the small window of time in the morning before the facility opened to paint high traffic areas.
Our solution to the project included:
- The storefront entrance was painted first, utilizing the grace period in the morning before customers were present.
- Cones and construction zone tape were utilized to prohibit customers from the work areas.
- Areas were prepped and covered with plastic and drops to protect all non-painted surfaces.
Summary
Because Resicom relies on standard – process – audit to effectively manage and execute deliverables, we were able to apply those same principles to a modified project and still achieve effective results. Though specifications and circumstances may change for various projects, Resicom’s systematic execution works- day or night.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: exterior painting, facility maintenance, ohn fairclough, Resicom, resicomonline.com | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
Lemont, IL
Resicom, the industry leader in brand protection through facility maintenance has partnered with local community colleges and universities to provide select internship opportunities to prospective students. Available internship programs will participate in Project Management, Human Resources and the Marketing Department. The internship program is coordinated through Resicom University, a dynamic set of training programs to ensure that we are at the leading edge of project management and execution, utilizing technology, and process refinement.
Resicom executives often speak at different organizations on various topics from strategic planning to entrepreneurial tactics. Several executive members have vocalized a desire to further their personal teaching experiences. Consequently, interns will be able to benefit from the unique learning environment and talented leadership that Resicom offers.
“The launch of the internship program is something about which we are very enthusiastic,” says Team Development Manager Laurie Ledonne. “Resicom is able to position students to gain valuable insight to not just our industry, but marketable business skills. In turn, the students provide members of Resicom’s team the opportunity to strengthen their team leadership and project management skills.”
Resicom has created a business structure that is not only viable in these demanding economic times, but is also worth sharing. Interested intern applicants should contact laurie@resicomonline.com for program specifications and requirements.
Posted in Resicom Announcements | Tags: Human Resources, Internship Program, John Fairclough, Laurie Ledonne, Resicom, Training | No Comments »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
CASE STUDY
As part of our preventative maintenance plans with national retailers, Resicom must stock speciality paints that can be efficiently delivered to various job site throughout the country without disrupting project deadlines. To ensure that our crews are not without the necessary materials, Resicom developed a process to maximize our inventory levels without incurring added cost.
Scope
The scope of work needed to complete this project:
- Create an assessment form to track rotating inventory and amount of paint required for projects.
- Create schedule where paint is ordered from supplier with enough lead time for delivery.
- Transfer paint to smaller container for cost effective shipping, and to minimize waste.
- Finalize shipment of paint to scheduled job site.
Challenges
The challenges of this project included:
- If paint is ordered too close to project start time, lead time on delivery can be upwards of a week pushing back entire project deadline.
- Having paint shipped directly from supplier to job-site adds significant costs.
- Amount of paint required must be estimated accurately to avoid financial waste of paint that is discarded at the end of a project.
Solution
Creating a process by which we can meet our material demands without disrupting project deadlines was critical to efficient and cost effective project management. Our solution to this project included:
- Preemptively order required speciality paint in bulk so it is on hand at home office/warehouse.
- Creating a planned schedule so that costs are minimized by not having to ship last minute, and shipping in bulk.
- Transferring paint into smaller containers than five gallon buckets.
Resicom is a process driven company. By having an organized, established process for how we handle our material needs, Resicom is able to boost overall project management efficiency and transfer cost savings onto our clients.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: facility, nationwide painting, preventative maintenance, Resicom, resicomonline.com, retail painting | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
CASE STUDY
Resicom is relied upon for all types of emergency maintenance. But usually emergency is defined as a broken fitting room door, or a damaged cash wrap, maybe an overnight leak. However, in this instance, Resicom was contacted to assist facilities in their preparation against a pending category 5 Hurricane fast approaching the coast of Southern Florida.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute this project included:
- Protect our clients’ property with preventative measures against possible hurricane damage and to keep subsequent water out of the stores.
- Measures must be completed within 24 hours in meet our clients expectations and beat the storm.
- Budget has been set at 4K per store.
- There are 35 stores in Southern Florida that need to be protected.
Challenges
The constraints of this project included:
- The area requiring service is located 1,200 miles from Resicom’s home office.
- Resicom was contacted the day before we needed to be onsite.
- All flights into this region had been cancelled or postponed due to the approaching hurricane and weather advisory.
- Resicom could only arrange a small crew of 5 men available to travel immediately.
- Hotel rooms were extremely limited in the area.
- Materials in the area were difficult to obtain as commercial properties and private residents increased demand significantly for lumber and other hurricane protection supplies.
Solution
The success of this particular project would rely on our ability to react swiftly and create a solid plan of action. In this case, the deadline was completely inflexible with no margin for delay as we were not racing against a client specified deadline, but against nature itself.
Our solution to this project included:
- Our most effective manager/supervisor was pulled from his current role in order to manage the crews and project execution.
- We contacted local technicians to increase the necessary man power estimated to complete the job.
- All airlines and airports were investigated to determine which closest city was still allowing arriving flights. We reserved car rental to drive the remaining distance to schedule job sites.
- A separate project manager with purchasing capability is also dispatched to oversee budget and expenses for the job.
- Local supply houses are immediately contacted that day in order to secure the material needed to complete the project.
- Documentation and photos are compiled by the office support staff to illustrate to our client what exactly we did to protect their property.
Summary
When Resicom was contacted to orchestrate a major emergency preparation project, we never debated if the task was possible. By starting from a position of not “can we complete the job” but “what steps do we take to complete the job” we are able to make the impossible possible by executing a thorough plan.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: emergency maintenance, facility maintenance, Resicom, resicomonline.com | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
CASE STUDY
A national client for whom we usually provide planned preventative and emergency maintenance experienced an emergency carpentry need when the local vendor usually contracted to handle such situations was unavailable to complete the necessary repairs. The client entrusted Resicom to provide an exemplary local vendor to perform the work order. Because of the established, loyal partnership between the client and ourselves, Resicom accepted the responsibility and assured the client it would be completed within the scheduled timeframe and to our client’s high standards.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute this project included:
- Review work order to determine materials needed for project completion.
- Educate the dispatched technician on the exact process and expectations of our client.
- Audit the job to confirm our high standards were executed.
Challenges
The constraints of this project included:
- The emergency job occurred in a location area we have never serviced.
- Locate an exceptional local vendor to complete this work to client’s high standards within a short time frame and set budget established.
- Confirm work was complete without physically visiting the location.
Solution
We understood that the execution of this particular emergency job would take more time and planning than the usual emergency work order from our client. However, because we have established thorough training modules and exact processes for all technicians, we could be be confident in our ability that the project would be executed to the client’s high standards.
Our solution to this project included:
- The accepted work order is assigned to a home office project manager.
- Located exceptional vendor referrals, utilizing contacts in the project city for recommendations.
- A short list of vendors is generated that then participate in screening and dialogue with home office regarding Resicom’s process, standards and expectations.
- Selected vendor receives the work order from Resicom and is provided with additional information and specifications needed to complete the work order.
- Resicom confirms that scope and schedule date is understood and establishes parameters for technician to submit information regarding completed project.
- Project Manager remains in constant communication with technician to ensure that deadlines will be met.
- When job is completed, Project Manager receives photos (per our discussed standards) within 24 hours of the job completion.
- Project Manager audits project, and confirms satisfaction with appropriate store management.
Summary
No matter where a work order originates, Resicom is able to execute project completion that is consistent with our standards. Utilizing the established information and training we have available, Resicom is able to perform our thorough processes efficiently and in rapid response to the emergency work order. Our client was able to place their confidence in our systematic approach to project management.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: John Fairclough, national maintenance, project management, Resicom, resicomonline.com | No Comments »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
CASE STUDY
Resicom dispatches our technicians nationwide to perform preventative and emergency maintenance. As our crews travel extensively throughout the country for project execution, there was a subsequent need to effectively manage our overnight accomodation expenses. Therefore, Resicom developed a partnership with a hotel chain to keep travel costs low and effectively transfer the savings as decreased quotes to our clients.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute this project:
- Find nationwide hotel chains that had specific amenities that would benefit our traveling crews as well as Reward Point Programs.
- Gather information about the chains for comparison.
- Finalize account with selected hotelier that provides significant discounts when numerous stays are reserved.
Challenges
The challenges of this project included:
- Finding a hotelier that met our needs in regards to both locations and amenities available.
- Negotiating with the chain for the maximum nightly and length of stay discount while establishing that Resicom would fulfill minimum stay expectations.
- Ensuring that the hotel chain management was consistently accommodating and user-friendly, and did not escalate workload for busy home office support booking or modifying travel.
Solution
Several hotel chains met our criteria, but we needed to ensure we were “getting in bed” with the ideal partner. We wanted to capitalize the benefits of our extensive travel, while effectively transferring the savings onto our clients to drive down their overall costs.
Our solution for the project included:
- Reaching out to several potential hotel chains to compare locations, amenities, discounts, and reward offer programs.
- Scheduling meetings and establishing correspondence with regional hotel sales representatives to discuss details of such a partnership.
- Providing target list of frequently visited locations and itemized travel dates to negotiate larger discounts.
- Creating a program with determined partner whereas 7+ day stays at one location would result in greater percentage discount.
- Utilizing the hotelier’s direct bill capability to streamline invoice payments, thus saving time for our home office support staff.
- Becoming experts with the hotel chain’s online booking engine, increasing efficiency when booking travel for our crews.
Summary
Resicom’s process of using in-house technicians on a national scale provides an exemplary level of accountability and capability. Resicom’s nationwide presence and consistent workload allowed us to leverage our buying power into a 18% discount on all hotel stays throughout the country. We were able to capitalize on rewards programs for added benefits of free stays, airlines miles/credits, and gift cards to major home improvement stores. These benefits and accrued savings allowed us to increase margins, thereby passing said savings to current and future clients.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: John Fairclough, project management, Resicom, resicomonline.com | No Comments »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
CASE STUDY
Facilities will experience water leaks- it becomes not a question of if but when. The inevitability of water leaks is tolerated, however recurrent leaks exasperate facility management. These leaks have the potential to destroy merchandise, and adversely effect the desired shopping experience. When a client called with an emergency leak order, Resicom was able to determine the cause, repair of the source of the leak, and provide information to mediate amongst the mall tenants and management when no one wanted to assume liability for the damages and repairs.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute the project includes:
- When a work order is received, a Resicom technician needs to be dispatched within 4 hours of the call.
- Equipped with a detailed checklist and digital camera, the technician identifies the location of the leak and documents any subsequent damage.
- Project management technology is utilized, and any previous leaks for this location are reviewed to determine similarity to the current leak, and a possible responsible party.
- The store management is contacted to determine the severity of the leak, and mall management is then contacted by Resicom and the store manager on duty.
- Ideally, the technician should arrive at the store when mall management is also assessing the leak.
- The technician will determine the cause of the leak with the mall representative present, and begin attempts to stop the leak.
- Once the leak is repaired, Resicom will then repair any damage caused by the water.
Challenges
The constraints of the project include:
- The exact source of the leak comes into question, and both facility tenants and mall management are reluctant to assume responsibility; in this particular case the mall management attributes the leak source to HVAC equipment, while the HVAC technicians believe that the issue is with the roof.
- Because emergency requests are unplanned, the primary Resicom technician may be scheduled elsewhere, and the secondary technician can not get to the store within the 4 hour time frame.
- A Work Order, the Damage Claim Checklist, and Damage Claim Checklist Example must be received by the technician prior to arriving at the facility.
- The technician must submit all paperwork, photos and other pertinent information by the following morning in order to properly update the client.
Solution
Understanding the client’s need is key to a successful emergency leak work order. In this instance, the expectation revolves around immediate response and determining the source of the leak so that repairs can be approved and expedited. Resicom must have exact processes in place, along with reliable technicians who have received thorough training of our procedures and client expectations.
Our solution to this project included:
- If neither a primary nor backup technician is available, a local vendor who has been trained in our process is contacted so that a technician is onsite within the 4 hour window.
- The technician reviews the leak with mall management, gathers and documents information in regard to the leak source, and then relays that information to the client and mall management.
- Resicom contacts all parties involved and schedules an an onsite meeting to review the leak.
- Resicom, the mall operational manager, and the heating and cooling technicians will all be present at this meeting. Photos and notes are distributed.
- The responsible party will be determined for repair work.
- Resicom will quote for the necessary repairs and will complete all work per the approved quote.
Summary
At Resicom we understand the frustrations that a client experiences when water leaks reoccur, and the source has been unresolved for months, perhaps years. These damages can result in costing the client an excessive amount of money that is difficult to recoup. Our goal on every leak is to determine the source of the leak and quickly repair the issue. If the leak returns we are able to leverage our technology & information where the history of the problem has been documented, contact the responsible party, and then mediate to achieve the necessary repairs.
Posted in Monographs | Tags: emergency maintenance, facility maintenance, John Fairclough, Resicom, resicomonline.com | No Comments »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
CASE STUDY
A retailer had furniture placed outside of their storefront that was meant to serve as visual props as well as function as a place for customers to sit and relax. The furniture was secured to the floor by a system that was easily disengaged, consequently allowing the pieces to move around and damage the painted floor. The client wanted to eliminate the movement as well as minimize any risk of theft. The new system needed to be virtually unseen by the casual observer. Resicom was contacted to develop a solution.
Scope
The scope of work needed to execute this project included:
- Complete reconnaissance work to gather information on the construction of the furniture as well as the floor.
- Develop and test a prototype system that kept the furniture from moving and helped prevent theft.
- Install the prototype at a location to monitor the success of the system.
Challenges
The constraints of this project included:
- The system needed to be hidden from the customer’s view.
- The system needed to serve both purposes – prevent movement and deter theft.
- The modification of both the furniture and the floor needed to be kept to a minimum.
- The prototype needed to be fabricated.
- The prototype had to be initially tested offsite before it could be installed and tested at an actual store.
Solution
Resicom understands the importance placed on the storefront by our clients, as prospective shoppers often make their decision whether or not to enter the store based on visual assessment. The system we were developing needed to be unobtrusive and remain virtually unseen by the customer, yet the functionality of the securement must be to the standards of the client. Our solution for the project included:
- Purchased a piece of furniture for testing purposes similar to the one the client was asking us to secure for testing purposes.
- Developed drawings and worked with a metal fabricator to develop (2) different prototypes.
- Developed a system to supplement the fabricated prototypes to help deter theft.
- In our Training and Test Facility we installed each prototype on the test chair and documented the installation process (written with photos). We also installed the exact flooring of the porch used at the client’s storefront so that the test was consistent with actual conditions and specifications.
- We then performed several tests reenacting the types of everyday use and abuse the furniture was likely to receive and documented how well each prototype performed.
- We provided all data to the client for their review and for decision.
Summary
The client felt confident in our abilities to design a solution that could be easily installed and meet all of the objectives, thus allowing us the creative license to devise a solution without pre-determined parameters. Resicom leveraged our Training Facility in order to reenact real world scenarios and thoroughly document processes to provide thorough information to the client. By providing this information to the client we were able to put them in a position of choosing the best option to implement as an “in-store” test thus keeping their project cost to a minimum. The prototypes have all been installed and the test continues to operate successfully. Resicom expects the client to roll out the solution to all facilities nationwide in the near future.
Posted in Case Studies | Tags: facility solutions, John Fairclough, Resicom, resicomonline.com, specialty project resicom | No Comments »