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How We Streamlined 8 Roles into 3 Through Automation and Smart Design

In a global technology company operating in the inventory management and supply chain space, our team was tasked with migrating 8 reporting roles from the U.S. to Costa Rica. These roles were primarily focused on inventory and sales order reporting, supporting various stakeholders across supply chain operations.

From the outset, we saw this as more than a simple transfer of responsibilities — it was an opportunity to rethink the structure and optimize how the work was done. We started by mapping out every step in the reporting process. It quickly became clear that the workflows were full of inefficiencies: heavy manual effort, redundant data clean-ups, and fragmented approaches to pulling and analyzing information.

To tackle this, we focused on three major improvements:

  • Automation: We implemented Excel VBA macros, advanced formulas, and MS Access workflows to eliminate repetitive manual work.
  • Smarter data sourcing: By reevaluating how we pulled data from SAP and Hyperion, we reduced the need for post-processing and improved accuracy.
  • Direct integration: Where possible, we connected directly to databases to bypass file-based steps and improve efficiency.

This transformation wasn''t done in isolation. We partnered closely with management and stakeholders to understand business needs and secure alignment, while also leading planning and training efforts in Costa Rica to ensure smooth onboarding of the new process owners.

An unexpected but valuable outcome was the chance to audit the reports themselves. We identified outdated or unused reports — the so-called "zombies" — and either retired or combined them, ensuring that what remained served a clear business purpose.

The result? The same workload once handled by 8 roles could now be managed effectively by just 3, with improved consistency, faster turnaround, and higher-quality output.

Tools used: SAP, Hyperion, Excel (with VBA), MS Access.

Domain: Technology, Inventory Management, Supply Chain.

#ProcessOptimization #SupplyChainAutomation #InventoryManagement #ReportingEfficiency #DataAutomation #LeanOperations #ExcelVBA #SAP #Hyperion #SupplyChainExcellence
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