Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1463464
APRIL 2022 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 31 ware program is a significant invest- ment in human resources. Would you say that you are getting the ROI you expected? Kottke: We brought another person on recently just because we're able to show that these projects we're doing are saving $100,000, $200,000. We have one big project that, if we can pull it off, will save a million bucks. at's pretty crazy. So yeah, I can show the ROI on it. Johnson: With the projects that you're working on, are these just iterative improvements that you're able to find, or is there something that just completely changes the structure under- neath the business model? Kottke: ere is a project I'm working on that involves quoting, scheduling, and then track- ing the profitability to the customer. I've looked at all the quote soware out there, all the data tracking guys, the cost accounting modules, and what we're trying to do; it will be huge. Matties: You're already using Voyager for your quoting? Kottke: Yes, but nothing like it will be. It's like you've been watching a black and white TV, moving to an 8K TV, and saying, "I made a small improvement." Johnson: Are you writing the Voyager soware specific to Rocket's methods and facilities? Kottke: You could use it anywhere. I have a friend who wants to try it out in their sheet metal shop, because the routing is the same. You set up the routing areas and route it the same way. Matties: How much work have you turned away based on data? Kottke: A lot. It's important that you have the right mix. Matties: Right. How do you incorporate Voy- ager, if at all, into your employee training pro- grams? Kottke: Voyager runs the whole training pro- gram; it runs our whole QMS. You can't even log in and start working until you're up to date on your current training. Matties: Would you give me an example of how that works and the benefit that you've received? Kottke: Voyager tracks the training and per- formance of each employee. I know the atten- dance and what defects are tied to them. I know their training records and when they need to be trained next. When they log in in the morning, they get a quick reminder if something needs to be retrained. As a side note, if it's their anni- versary, they get flagged to see Admin where they will get something like a free hoodie or a mug or backpack, so it incentivizes them to check their Voyager alerts and notices reg- ularly. Sometime this year, I'll be able to do employee performance reviews through Voy- ager as well. Matties: Now, when you look at the data, you're looking obviously at the throughput on partic-