Healthcare Supply Chain Technology and Strategy

Have you taken advantage of Ebay.com or another online auction site to get the best deal possible on a product? Well the web has revolutionized procurement and purchasing much in the same way.   Generic Pharmaceuticals as an example are just that, they are generic and can be purchased from multiple sources with different skus/NDC numbers and packaging. But they are the same product. This purchasing paradigm puts you as a distributor in a unique situation. You can pick and choose your supplier.   Since this is the case you should make them compete to earn your business.  The same paradigm can be found in many other industries, and while contracts and purchasing agreements may seek to lock you into a specific vendor, before you agree to the terms lets see if you can negotiate from a position of power.  Knowledge is the key to this plan.  Freedom of information We are living in world which allows small to medium enterprise businesses to compete on exactly the same ...

The Bullwhip Effect and Your Supply Chain If you own a business, then you might be aware of the  bullwhip effect , Sorry no Indiana Jones involved here. The Bullwhip effect is is an important  supply chain  phenomenon first noted by MIT systems scientist Jay Forrester. Even if you have never heard of this effect, perhaps you are familiar with the  beer distribution game , which is an experiment designed to show the dynamics of  managing a supply chain . If you are not please click on the links to learn more.  To put the bullwhip effect in simple terms, in looking at businesses further back in the supply chain, inventory swings in larger and larger "waves" in response to customer demand (the handle of the whip), with the largest "wave" of the whip hitting the supplier of raw materials. What causes the bullwhip effect? There are numerous reasons cited for this phenomenon. First of all, there are the more obvious operational factors, some of which you have pro...

The Uberization of Distribution Uber has disrupted the taxi industry.  But how can you copy the Uber model and bring that level of innovative service to your clients?  That question is generating a great deal of discussion among logistics and distribution executives.  Here are some of my thoughts mixed with theirs..  Transporting goods long distances can be done far more cost efficiently than the delivery of the last few miles when goods arrive in congested metropolitan areas. Last mile delivery has taken on added urgency as traditional retailers have embraced omni-channel capabilities as a way to compete with ecommerce giants like Amazon. Omni-channel fulfillment, which spans a variety of delivery flow paths – store to home, delivery from warehouse, etc. – is all about last mile. Uber has definitely created buzz. The company has grown incredibly quickly and has a very high valuation.  Founded in 2009, it is reported that the company may now be wo...