Case Studies- Transportation
The Challenge:
The transportation industry has always been extremely competitive, with the battle for customer revenue offset by the need to control expenditures and overheads, particularly in light of recent record price levels for fuel and vehicles that carry the payloads. For these companies, expenditure management processes have become increasingly complex, and outsourcing services like printing require a more dynamic and flexible approach than simply identifying a preferred supplier. Because document usage tends to match the spikes and valleys associated with the industry challenges, such as regulatory and operational volatility, market pressure and opportunity, a new approach to traditional methods of document manufacturing and service levels throughout the organization is required.
Solutions and Results:
In October, 2001, The DATA Group of Companies entered into a multi-year document management agreement with WestJet Airlines, of Calgary Alberta, one of Canada's most dynamic and innovative airlines. In keeping with their low cost pricing strategy, the company was struggling with internal management of their document collateral, including 
the need for innovative product ideas such as Point of Sale Tickets and specialized baggage tags that would reduce cost and streamline customer service. In addition, WestJet wanted solutions that could meet both the existing and explosive growth challenges the company was facing, and offer the flexibility the company was looking for in a service provider.
“We were very impressed with DATA's representation throughout the entire process, from the information presented and your competitive quotes, to your extraordinary customer service. We seek to align ourselves with companies that have similar qualities to WestJet, and who are willing to grow and change as we do - and DATA is our choice.” Karen Daley - Corporate Purchaser, Supplies and Services
DATA has risen to the challenge, providing the company with on-going cost reduction at both the administrative and document manufacturing process, using our print method analysis tools and processes:
Our print management strategy provides a vision and a structure for savings and service improvements, through activities such as grouping, order analysis, and the introduction of new document technologies to the application, such as digital or label-based printing. This methodology helped DATA provide measured savings to WestJet, while efficiently re-engineering document usage throughout the organization. In addition to hard dollar cost savings, efficiency savings were also introduced as:
• On-line requisitioning reduced administrative overheads
• Documents volumes were consolidated under a single system, reduced and/or eliminated,
• Obsolescence was reduced with inventory management and migration to digital/print on demand manufacturing
• Print creation was optimized and output strategies reviewed to meet faster turnaround times
• Designs and construction were improved to meet changing requirements
During the implementation process, DATA recommended that WestJet adopt a mandatory Web-based requisitioning process, using DATA's E-Commerce System, The DATA Document Manager, resulting in faster, more efficient sourcing and service contract management. To date, the company has 100% compliance on using the requisitioning system, delivering significant and ongoing administrative savings to both WestJet and DATA in excess of expectations.