CRT International Inc.  is an IBM ^TM ISV

QUICKSILVER COLLEGE

The Program

QuickSilver College is a thorough and comprehensive program of instruction and education for the implementation and use of the CRTI QuickSilver Manufacturing, Distribution and Financial Software System. The program begins with an Executive Kickoff that establishes client ownership for the plan, a basis for company and departmental objectives, and timing of critical education classes within the company-plan. Individual classes of instruction include a prerequisite reading and exercise assignment (based on file content in the Demo System that accompanies each licensed copy of the software product), followed by scheduled presentation, hands-on practice and review. Because classes will be taught online, training can be completed at a time when the class schedule most closely matches the client's implementation plan.

The Method / Justification

System implementation is the most important activity related to software use and usability. Peter Klatt (from PK Systems) who is a technical-college educator, an experienced businessperson and a data processing professional developed the QuickSilver College curriculum with the goal of maximizing system implementation success. The plan focuses on several critical principles: Ownership - the company who bought the software must take sole ownership of the final implementation plan and allocation of personnel resources to complete the activities; Software Training - maximize training when it is appropriate (within the plan) and include personnel who will be responsible for using the software functions in each specific training session; minimize the need for additional and continued technical support; offer refresher classes when appropriate.

Success

Users will have been presented the tools to acquire working knowledge of the software functionality for which they are responsible after they participate successfully in the appropriate QuickSilver College course(s). The class schedule is designed to minimize student time away from normal business activities and to fit the profile of typical job responsibilities in order to attract only those who really have a need to know. Users who are consciences about completing prerequisite assignments, then take the classes appropriate to their job will have been taught the system navigation and been given sufficient hands-on training to begin working independently. Several courses are prerequisite to others either because they include common and basic system functionality and concepts or because they contain functionality specific to more advanced classes, like MRP.

Basic Information

Cost - entire course includes 1 day Executive Kickoff and one session of each course offering. Total $3,450 Cost - distribution and financials includes 1-day Executive kickoff and one session in each of the distribution and financial course offerings. Total $2,850.

System Implementation - Course # 100-100

This session is the critical Executive Kickoff that deals with project planning and ownership, goals and objectives and establishing the implementation team. Additionally, the session previews the software and training sessions in order that each department head can develop implementation plans accordingly.

System Control - Course # 100-110

System Implementation modules complete functions that are usually designated as data processing functions. They include file and library backups, record purge routines, end of month processing, transaction register reports, system control record maintenance and application-level security administration. Students will become familiar with each of the processing functions in order to develop, and execute, system maintenance, security and control setting strategies that best fit their requirements.

System set up - Course # 100-120

Support files function includes the use of master codes, system codes and system files. Each may be used for input rules and to sort, select and print common information on various forms and hardcopy reports. Students will become familiar with basic functions, identify differences between master codes, system codes files, and system files and be able to add and maintain file records for use as validation and to minimize data entry.

All of the following courses require completion of 100-100, 100-110 and 110-120, plus additional prerequisite courses identified specifically.

EDB - Course # 110-100

The Engineering Data Base function defines parts and identifies how to build products. Parts, Bill of Material, Routing and Work Center records are entered and maintained by EDB. Learn how to enter, and maintain the contents of Parts, Bill of Materials, Routings, and Work Centers; run displays to verify and analyze file contents; locate and correct common errors in contents and Bill of Material structure; and, preview how files are structured for information content.

Standard Costing - Course # 110-200, Prerequisite 110-100

Standard Cost module provides timely and accurate fiscal and current standard cost information. Unit cost (accumulated cost) is maintained for each part number. Total cost of each part is divided into material, labor and burden. Cost roll-up routines maintain accumulated costs through each bill of material level. This class will prepare the student to set up fiscal costs, examine product cost for errors, correct the source and execute cost rollup and rollover procedures.

In-Process - Course # 110-210, Prerequisite 110-100

The In-Process Data Base programs control work-in-process for manufactured and purchased parts, support material and labor tracking, print appropriate documents and report labor and material variances. The class will prepare students to understand the critical events in the "life cycle" of an order, create and maintain work orders, and track and report progress (parts completed, components and labor used, plus variances to each) against a work order.

Purchasing - Course # 110-220, Prerequisite 110-100

Formal Purchasing controls purchased items and services for stock parts and indirect materials from placing the order through receipt of the order. The system includes vendor maintenance, vendor performance analysis, and quote & requisition processing. Students will create purchase orders from various sources, receive material, maintain vendor records and analyze vendor performance and cash flow.

Physical Inventory - Course # 110-230, Prerequisite 110-100

The Physical Inventory module performs complete physical inventories and cycle counts as well. It updates inventory automatically from physical counts, supports the ABC cycle selection and helps identify sources of inventory inaccuracies. Students will complete a physical inventory using QuickSilver to create inventory tags, report variances between physical inventory counted and on-hand balances in the parts file, adjust balances and run variance reports. Presentation will also include the cycle counting process.

Stock Locator - Course # 110-240, Prerequisite 110-100

Stock Locator tracks onhand inventory by bin location in a multi-plant or a multi-stockroom environment. The interface with all programs that affect inventory status require the user to enter a location in each transaction which affects the stockroom onhand in the Parts Master file. Learn to Add and maintain Locator Records, use locations with typical IPDB transactions and use reports to verify & analyze locations.

MPS, MRP, CRP - Course # 110-250, Prerequisites 110-100, 110-210 and 110-220

Master Production Scheduling is a forecast of sales and/or a backlog of customer orders used to generate a Master Build Schedule (the driver for MRP). MPS answers, "how many" and "date required" for each end item or service part sold. Material Requirements Planning is used to determine, "what, when, and how much material is required" to satisfy the MPS Build Schedule. Capacity Requirements Planning is used to analyze machine and labor load requirements needed to complete released, firm plan and MRP planned orders. Students will set up and maintain master schedule and shop calendar; execute the MRP procedure and analyze results; analyze machine and labor load requirements; and execute CRP procedures.

Tooling - Course # 110-260, Prerequisite 110-100

Formal Tooling tracks, controls, and projects tool usage and inventory for perishable tools, fixtures, jigs and kits through routings and shop orders. It also produces a preventative maintenance schedule for equipment and machines. The class will present students with skills to add & maintain tools and kits of tools; set up a preventive maintenance schedule; and, analyze replacement of perishable tools.

Lot Control - Course # 110-270, Prerequisite 110-100

Lot Control maintains and tracks inventory by lot number by identifying all materials used in the manufacture of a specific end item and by identifying every end item made from a specific lot of material. Students will learn to set up Lot Control; use Lot Control with various IPDB transactions; and, maintain lot control for part numbers.

Customers & Products - Course # 120-100

Customer programs maintain, report and display basic information for each customer selected. The Product Information module displays either manufacturing information for a given part number or the QuickSilver information. The class will prepare students to add and maintain customer records; report customer information; track customer credit status; display product information; execute price updates and mass changes; and, review pricing strategy options.

Estimating - Course # 120-200, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

The Estimating module allows the user to design and develop an estimate or product simulation using information from an existing Bill of Material, another estimate, or "design from scratch." When changes are complete, the user may transfer the new product to the EDB. Learn how to create and maintain estimates; use several data sources to develop estimates; and, transfer an estimate to EDB.

Quoting - Course # 120-210, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

Enter and maintain customer quotes in the Quote module. Transfer a quote to an order without re-keying and analyze quote performance. Students learn how to add and maintain quotes to customers and to track quote status and analyze performance.

Order Processing & Sales History - Course # 120-220, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

Open and maintain orders using the Order Processing module. The system performs pricing calculations, credit checks and product availability analysis based upon the rules defined in the support files. Sales History produces reports from user-entered filters and parameters. The class will prepare students to add and maintain customer orders; use data source for order or enter "from scratch;" track order status; analyze orders; and, report sales history.

Shipments Course # 120-230, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

The Shipments module creates pick lists or tickets for orders due to be shipped and Packing Lists and Bills-of-Lading on demand. Shipments entry completes the process and feeds information to invoicing. Students will prepare and ship orders (from order pick through actual ship) and execute "quick ship."

Invoicing Course # 120-240, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

The Invoicing module includes a pre-update edit, and prints invoices and debit/credit memos. It reduces inventory and feeds sales analysis, A/R and G/L. This class will equip students with tools to prepare orders to invoice and use options to "quick process" and for "non QuickSilver sales."

Return Authorization - Course # 120-250, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

Return Authorizations module is a vehicle to enter, maintain, and track product returns for whatever the reason and converts authorizations into credit memos. Students will learn to enter and maintain MRAs and process credit memos, when appropriate.

A/R - Course # 120-260, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

Accounts Receivable functionality includes online posting of sales and payments, and creation of journal entries to the general ledger system, online cash application by invoice (oldest to newest) or by cursor selection. The program processes inquiries and reports receivable and payment history, early payment cash discounts, user-defined aging periods and prints statements and collection letters. The class will familiarize students with procedures to receive and apply cash; print statements; use reports for resource and analysis; and, create statements

A/P - Course # 120-270, Prerequisites 120-100 and 120-110

Accounts Payable function includes recurring payments, check reconciliation, project number control, flexible aging periods, online vouchering with early payment discount options, multiple options for invoice selection for check writing. Reports may be run for open payable status, payment/distribution history, cash requirements, discounts taken/lost history, price variance and vendor analysis. Students will become prepared to maintain vendor records; use voucher system; select items for pay and complete the payment procedure; and, use reports for resource and analysis.

G/L - Course # 120-110

The General Ledger module enables users to define statements including balance sheets and income statements and other plant/department summaries. Class will focus on defining format of reports; use the G/L program; and execute adjustments.

* S/36 and AS/400 are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corp.