MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON -- First Supply Battalion activated a new warehouse management system, which will improve both warehouse and personnel efficiency, called the Storage, Retrieval, Automated Tracking, Integrated System, March 26. STRATIS is being integrated with a new warehouse modernization project, which includes recently acquired automated carousels with lift stations, radio frequency scanners, flow racks, and ultimately, a new state of the art conveyor system.
The new system, which is networked and server based, replaces the old Warehouse Support System, and allows every Marine to access all inventory records.
The system was first used at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC, three years ago. There the Marines worked out most of the glitches with the new system.
Warehouses there showed that STRATIS substantially increases inventory accuracy and the overall efficiency of each Marine, said Chief Warrant Officer Russell J. Gamel, officer in charge, storage operations, 1st Supply Bn, 1st Force Service Support Group.
"About six weeks ago we sent some of our senior leadership to Camp Lejeune so they could see STRATIS in operation and learn from their counterparts who work there," said Maj. Todd L. Lloyd, officer in charge, general account, 1st Supply Bn, 1st FSSG.
Pleased with what they learned, the Marines returned from Camp Lejeune looking forward to the change.
"The previous system required a lot of manual paperwork. Each day would begin with Marines spending about three hours sorting through paper work, trying to sort everything into the correct category," said MgySgt. Richard B. Davis, staff noncommissioned officer in charge, bin storage, 1st Supply Bn., 1st FSSG. "Now the entire system is paperless; that's a lot of saved man hours. The system even tells us exactly what has to be done each day so we can maximize our working hours."
While most people are reluctant to change, this was not the case at 1st Supply Bn.
"We had no resistance to the change," said Lloyd. "The expedient implementation of STRATIS is a testament to both the integrity of the new system and the versatility of the Marines working here."
The user-friendly nature of STRATIS allowed Marines to grasp the fundamentals of usage quickly and gave everyone a positive feel for the change.
"It makes my job easier," said Lcpl. Jorge LopezGuzman, warehouseman, 1st Supply Bn., 1st FSSG. "I don't have to walk to each individual space to see what's there. This is more accurate and less manual."
Aside from increasing productivity, STRATIS also allows leaders a more effective way of evaluating how much work a Marine is doing.
"It's easier for me to keep track of my Marines now," said Cpl. Ron Carnegie, warehouse supervisor, 1st Supply Bn., 1st FSSG. "I can see exactly what each Marine has done - it tells me who is pulling their weight and who isn't."
Under the old warehouse management system, each Marine became specialized in their specific warehouse task. Now, since STRATIS is networked, every Marine will be trained in all aspects of the system. This will ultimately provide the customer with better service.
"The customer will reap the biggest rewards from this change," said Davis. "They will be getting the right gear, at the right time, in the right place - that's what our job is all about."