Rheem Manufacturing Company uses the flexibility and configurability of Octave Reliance® (formerly ETQ Reliance) to automate the development of new Reliance projects and applications. In doing so, Rheem used its existing principles of the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC) but with an innovative twist that allowed the company to quickly build and tailor new applications to match the fast-paced business environment.
Filling the gap
Rheem originally implemented Reliance to help comply with ISO standards. Previously, it was relying on Excel files to handle this task, but that proved insufficient and inefficient. Reliance assisted with ISO compliance as well as having the capability to create a supplier portal, which was a necessary factor for Rheem.
The company created a new application called the R-log, which is where it stores all reports of problems, requests, documents and Reliance projects. Using basic principles of SDLC, it created the Reliance Development Life Cycle (RDLC). It’s a form and a workflow that assists users with each step in the development life cycle. Users can preview what the forms they are building will look like with simple preview features added with java script.
Meeting the needs
Reliance has become much more than just a quality management tool for Rheem. The application is unique in that it meets the needs not already met by an out of the box feature set to enhance the compliance components of Reliance. It allows new applications to be developed and documented within a trusted, centralized system. Allowing users to preview what has already been designed ahead of time is also a huge benefit in preventing repeated efforts and unnecessary work.
Developing the RDLC took approximately 400 man hours, but the return on investment has been far greater. On three projects the RDLC has been used for in the first year, Rheem estimates that it has saved 3000 man hours, or roughly $940,000. That’s a 650% return on investment in a short amount of time.
Looking forward
The RDLC solution is currently scaled to company-wide use. As other areas of Rheem’s business discover the value of Reliance configurations, they are requesting that solutions be built for them as well. This is easy to do since the RDLC allows them to quickly gather requirements, design systems, document procedures and launch systems for the specific needs of other business areas.
While the developers are implementing one project, the administrators can work with other users to create a backlog of future projects. Furthermore, the system allows experienced Reliance users to develop their own solutions, freeing up valuable administrative and development resources, ultimately saving time and money. As the company grows and evolves, these new tools and the savings they bring will be a game changer in Rheem’s future.