Previous Projects

completed by the owner

Operations Management

• A computer simulation project using SLAM II studied the flow of materials through a tubular steel upsetter department to determine if setup costs could be reduced by scheduling similar-sized orders together. The simulation program that I developed could simulate the processing of hundreds of orders in a few seconds and provide useful statistics about the expected results. The simulation revealed that, given the current sales mix, setup costs could be reduced only by increasing costs elsewhere, so there would be no significant difference in overall costs by changing the scheduling method; however, if the sales mix changed, cost savings could be realized by using the alternate scheduling method.
• Approval of vouchers in a department became a bottleneck whenever a key person was unavailable. I developed a data flow diagram which illustrated that this key person handled the same voucher a minimum of six times, which meant that a relatively small increase in the total number of vouchers would cause a geometric increase in this person's workload, thus causing a paperwork bottleneck to develop quickly. I modified the routing procedures and programmed changes to the budget monitoring system to create more of a "balanced shop", which substantially streamlined the paper flow.

Application Development

• The tech support department needed to track computer resources, prioritize trouble reports, and share technical knowledge more effectively. I developed a simple web-based application in Cold Fusion that allowed everyone to see their trouble report in our queue, while providing for knowledge retention among the tech staff.
• The TAMU System wanted a program to track sick and vacation leave that would consistently apply the numerous rules and state regulations across all departments around the state. I designed and wrote a compiled Microsoft Access application that was easy to use and easy to update when state regulations changed. (This application has since been replaced by a web-based application).
• A Human Resources department needed to fax a different report to a few dozen recipients each month within a short time frame, and e-mail was not secure enough to be an option. I developed a small Microsoft Access program that compiled each report, then automatically linked to Symantec WinFax to fax the proper report to the appropriate recipient.
• I developed several invoicing, accounts receivable, and other modules (using FoxPro) that significantly expanded a department's custom budget management system.
• I designed and implemented several enhancements to an equipment and personnel scheduling system that was written in FoxPro.
• A tubular steel finishing plant was unable to effectively track it's inventory or production that was being constantly moved between individual buildings located on several acres of land, using existing manual methods. However, commercial bar code systems would cost at least $250,000 and would actually slow down processing if put into production. I developed a single-user program in Foxbase that would track the movement of the steel by fork truck drivers using the existing radio communications system. Inventory shrinkage was reduced from hundreds to nearly zero, and about 10 material handler positions were no longer necessary.
• I programmed a perpetual inventory system for a large storeroom using Microsoft BASIC.

Websites developed (partial list)

• The TAMU System Community Development Web database using Cold Fusion. (The site is no longer active. This links to a few sample pages at the internet archive).
• Technical Support database (computer problem tracking and reporting for internal use, as mentioned above), using Cold Fusion.
• SAGO office employee directory using Cold Fusion.
• Staff training materials and frequently asked questions.