Masque Sound Operational Projects

Each of these projects assists in day-to-day operations to improve the efficiency of the sound shop with clean user interfaces and efficient design.

Masque Sound uses the Unibiz R2 rental software, so much of my programming is based around extending this software.

Third Stream Web App

This application provides a more intuitive and more advanced interface for interacting with the Oracle backed, Unibiz inventory software, R2.
Using webservices, stored procedures and direct database queries on multiple databases, this application provides asset tracking, order filling, inventory control, all with a cohesive databse that integrates with all my other applications.

Each tile in the screenshot is a link to a full fledged application, some of which are detailed below.

The Windows 8 design style was adopted to get users used to the “Windows Store” style application before the company wide upgrade to Windows 8. This style guide was created using the PureCSS framework.

While this first iteration of the application is still in use and is the flagship of my development, the new, more streamlined version ThirdstreamV2 has a much more modern look, although it uses Bootstrap to handle its styling.

 

Mobile Asset Management Apps

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This application was designed to give users a mobile way to check asset status throughout the warehouse. We use a Bluetooth barcode scanner that mounts to back of an iPod Touch and incorporated it into the mobile site.  By making the app web based, we are able to use this app on many devices including Android devices.  This app uses AudioJS to playback sounds corresponding to the statuses of the assets that are scanned.  Additionally, “bad scans” are logged to a database table and displayed on a dynamic sign in the manager’s office.

Another application was developed to record asset location information in the warehouse. Using pre-existing shelf location barcodes I created a database that
records the asset’s current shelf. The app simultaneously uses a custom Unibiz stored procedure that writes the shelf location to a field in R2. The R2 field is always the most current location, but asset location history is saved in the Thirdstream database.

Dynamic Signs

The “R2Today Screens” are a set of 5 different signs that are displayed throughout the warehouse on large LCD monitors. These provide a consolidated list of outgoing orders for the various departments. It is updated in realtime with direct queries to the Oracle inventory database.

The design inspiration came from airport/train station arrival/departure screens. It uses color and scrolling statuses to keep warehouse workers up-to-date on what work needs to be done.

Speaker Testing System

The purpose of this system is to automate as much of the speaker testing process as possible to increase warehouse efficiency.

The user interface is programmed using IronPython and connects to the Audio Precision APx API.
The app accepts a barcode scan of the speaker then:

– opens the test procedure,

– checks the status of the asset,

– provides setup prompts for the procedure,

– runs the procedure,

– saves test result data,

– saves asset location data,

– saves test history records

and updates the asset’s information in the R2 inventory system

All with one barcode scan.

RMA System

This system allows clients to enter information about their items that they need to send back to the warehouse. It incorporates an email system to alert the repairs manager and the necessary project managers. There is an admin system for the repairs manager to enter details about a particular RMA. This gives the clients a better idea of the status of their returns and lets them know shipping information.  This system is built on Bootstrap V2 and Django 1.10.

Scheduling System

This system is a permissions based calendar with resource/task assignment. It houses the company’s vacation calendar and projects.

The custom interface allows management to see long term workload and day-to-day planning. The front end was designed by Sean Colandrea.

The daily view shows the work to be completed for each day and provides a quick report generator for the manager to run meetings.

“SMURF” scanner interface

Andy Leviss(Duck’s Echo Sound) created a hardware device for scanning the RF spectrum into a CSV file. I created this user interface which takes file and venue information and automatically emails the results to Masque Sound for analysis and frequency coordination.

This uses Tkinter for the UI and pySerial for connection to the hardware device over USB.

Trucking System

Masque was using a paper and bulletin board method for trucking dispatch requests.  There were too many human errors with this system, so I built a simple dispatching system that requires users to enter the correct information.  The system continues to print dispatches on paper for the drivers to carry, but creates a traceable, searchable history for auditing.

Reporting System

Tracking the shows that have Masque equipment on Broadway became a fun way of testing how healthy the business is.  I developed a simple database reporting app that creates a nice metrics application.

Purchasing System

Masque previously used paper/pencil and spreadsheets to keep track of purchase requests and statuses.  This was handled by one employee who was overworked and needed help.  I built this application directly with this employee to make his job simpler and easier to track the millions of dollars of equipment that he purchases for the company.  The system sends notification emails and texts when requested items are ordered, delivered or received, and connects to APIs on FedEx, UPS and DHL to get delivery status updates.

Physical Inventory System

This system was built to accommodate more frequent inventory counts.  The previous method was to use an outside vendor to capture the data, then spend days importing the data back into R2.  By creating a custom solution that works on smart phones, we are able to conduct cycle counts, and format the data correctly prior to importing into R2.  The flexibility that this system offers gives more validity to the availability feature in R2.

RFID Inventory System

I designed and deployed an RFID inventory system at Masque Sound that uses Alien ALR-9680 readers and an assortment of RFID tags to track high value equipment through the warehouse.

The system was created to aid in asset tracking and inventory control and supplements the current barcode system in use. The various readers around the warehouse connect to a PostgreSQL database and through the Twilio API provides text message updates to alert of asset issues.

An alarm system is setup in two locations to provide immediate feedback to a shop employee in the area.
Using the GPO of the readers, a strobe light is turned on and a sound is played until the offending condition is addressed.

Loading Dock RFID System

This system is integrated with the Third Stream web application and the R2 inventory system. The user interface is a touch screen mounted on the wall near the loading docks. When a truck driver is loading a truck, they press the “Use Dock” button and the system goes into inventory control mode. As items pass through the loading dock, the CAEN Ion RFID reader verifies that each item has been properly documented in the R2 inventory system. It also updates a location history record in Third Stream. If the system finds a “bad” asset, a flashing light is set off, the item is displayed on the user interface and a warning message is texted to the shop foreman, the inventory control manager and me. This allows one of us to fix the bad item without stopping the truck loading.

When the system is not using the loading docks, it goes into “watch” mode. Every item that is seen on any one of its 16 antennas gets an asset history location record in Third Stream for asset tracking.

The user interface is programmed using IronPython to create a C# Winforms application. It connects over TCP to the CAEN RFID reader.