The client had a well-defined waste handling work flow but they wanted to automate the steps with hand held RFID devices. Quantum PSG staff worked with their IT department to define screens for the devices for each step in the handling process: move drum, inspect drum, weight drum, etc. Technical Analysts then defined Data Builder routines to import the data from the devices. This reduced processing time and errors from entering data from paper logs.

The client had over 80 plants across the U.S. The plants had different regulatory requirements based on the type of plant and the state in which they were located. Working with the customer and our regulatory reporting partner, Quantum developed master workbooks for each plant type that detailed the required regulatory reports and the deadlines, the data elements required to complete each reports and the source of the data, and the review process for completing the report. The master workbook was customized for each plant based on their unique requirements. The master workbook sped up the process at each plant and gave a template for questions to ask all environmental engineers.

The company had recently been spun off from a parent company and needed to replace corporate computer systems. They choose FacTS for their Environmental Reporting tool. Their procedures for gathering data and generating reports were in flux as their systems rapidly changed. Quantum Subject Matter Experts (SME) were very familiar with the data needed to generate the Tier, Form R and Air Emission reports the company is responsible for generating. During Fit/Gap Analysis meetings, SMEs were able to ask about required data and work with the Environmental Engineers to identify sources for all the data, work with their IT staff to get the information out of the other systems for import into FacTS. This advanced planning reduced the last minute data scramble when producing their first reports through FacTS.

For each stage of a phased rollout, the Quantum Project Manager, working with the customer’s Project Manager, developed and maintained project plans tracking implementation meetings, development of custom specification, software development and internal testing, client testing, software rollout, data initialization, and client training. The project plans allowed the Quantum PM to monitor internal resource planning, keep the customer PM up to date, and allow both sides to adjust the schedule as needed if new custom features or road blocks were identified.

This company had 13 regional offices each with Access databases that stored regional Service Request records. Over time the Access databases and Service Request records became divergent. When the company decided to use FacTS as a central repository, PSG staff compared records to identify each unique Service Request to migrate to the new system. They also manipulated the data format or Data Builder routines to load each file into FacTS to deliver the customer with an initialized database.

This regional telecommunications company purchased FacTS Base and RTK features. Part of the implementation of the software involved entering inbound MSDS so the data could be used for generating regulatory reports. The Quantum Project Manager worked with the customer’s Environmental Manager to map how the data would be entered into FacTS. Rules were defined for different scenarios such as how to handle greater than or less than values, and what value to enter for Trace concentrations. Quantum staff then entered all the MSDS data into a FacTS database, including manufacturer information. After doing quality check on the information, the data was extracted and imported into the client’s FacTS database, ready to use.

Quantum’s MSDS Authoring and Generation solution allows customers to define the output format for their MSDS based on their internal requirements and the countries where they sell their products. A multinational company contracted with PSG to create the different formats required by their diverse needs. Working from fit/gap analysis documents and software specifications that mapped where data would be stored in FacTS and example MSDS, PSG created the templates in FacTS to generate MicroSoft Word and Adobe PDF files. The customer has been able to maintain the output formats as their needs change.

In addition, when this customer received an order, they needed to send MSDS in the correct languages with that order. PSG worked with their IT department to modify their MRP system to export sales order information to FacTS including client name, country code, SKU, and sales order. FacTS was configured to finds the MSDS based on the SKU, determines the languages from the client record and prints the appropriate MSDS. FacTS also prints a cover letter personalized with the client’s name, address, and sales order number. The sales order number makes it easy for the shipping staff to match up the MSDS and cover letter to the shipment.

Twice since becoming a customer in 2000, new personnel without experience with FacTS have been put in charge of administering and maintaining FacTS. PGS staff scheduled a series of short webinars to train the personnel and have question & answer sessions. These short sessions didn’t interfere with their other responsibilities, but gave them in-depth exposure to FacTS and their custom workflow. Within a few weeks the new personnel were operating FacTS with minimal support.

To free up their Environmental Engineers to focus on work required in the plant, this chemical manufacturer contracted with PSG to load monthly feeds from their ERP system, and equipment reading system, and yearly load a production count file and waste totals. PSG check for any data error messages and resolve as many as they can before contacting the customer. PSG also run monthly HAPS and TAPS reports. Each fall they run usage and storage comparison reports and track down discrepancies in preparing for generating yearly regulatory reports. They run draft Tier II, TRI, and Annual Air Emission reports for the environmental engineer to review and finalize before submitting to the state agency and EPA.

The customer has multiple plants across the U.S. Different plant use different suppliers based on what they produce and regional availability, and best prices. This means raw materials are ordered in different quantities and containers but all the quantities need to be converted to pounds or gallons for regulatory reporting. Most suppliers were already sending electronic feeds of the materials sold, and rather than make each one convert their computer systems to send the data in pounds or gallons, or have the customer make the conversion by hand, PSG developed a Master Material List (MML) tool in FacTS to convert the data based on part number information when it was imported each month. They also developed a tool to import new part information as needed, saving manually data entry.

Developed a real time interface with their ERP system to author and distribute MSDS almost 30 languages.

When a new (or experimental) Formulation is set up in the ERP, the Formula information including, Trade Name, Formula ID, bill of materials, and characteristic data (flash point, physical state, etc.) are exported to a data transfer directory. There is a continuous FacTS batch mode user that searches the data transfer directory at a user defined interval. When a new file is found, it is processed.

This file load creates the item, product, raw material breakdown, characteristic data, and then runs the MSDS Generation Utility. This creates the data for an MSDS in each of the languages that have been defined in the system. This is in use in Europe and Asia Pacific with the EU MSDS format and rules, and in the US with the North American formats.

The second interface point is to the Sales order. MSDS with cover letters are generated in the appropriate language(s) and format(s) for the customer. These can be set up to print with each request or only if there is a new revision, or 12 months have passed since the last shipment.

PGS staff developed a scheduled batch mode load to process all usage and waste transactions nightly for over 80 plants. The average plant has five unique usage sources. The majority of the data is processed in the first 10 days of the month. The batch program looks for files in specific network folder, and processes any found. The process also runs inventory roll up utilities and QA/QC reports that are emailed to the person who submitted the transactions.

The company had implemented the FacTS Waste Tracking & Management feature to track waste containers and create shipping documents at all of their U.S. facilities. They wanted a tool to streamline identifying which containers at satellite storage area could be shipped to a selected TSD and closest to expiration date. Based on the criteria outlined by the customer, a subject matter expert and technical analyst wrote a specification defining a Waste Shipment Planning Utility that lists containers with waste streams accepted by the selected TSD sorted by expiration date. The user can also set a limit on the number of containers or load limit. The user selects the appropriate containers from a pick list. Then the utility automatically creates the manifest and other required shipping documents. The PSG staff used their detailed knowledge of FacTS and the client’s work flow to create a utility to reduce the amount of time waste handlers spent identifying containers ready to ship and the necessary shipping documents.

During implementation of FacTS to generate and manage Service Requests for their multinational options, the need for two custom reports was identified. PSG Technical Analysts wrote specifications for a monthly Manager’s Task report that lists the number of outstanding tasks and a Trend report showing 30-60-90- day completion rates. Both reports are run and automatically emailed to the management team.