The Future of Supply Chain: 7 Changes for More Efficient Management

In an industry like healthcare where all functions are looking to cut costs, materials management is no exception.

Rob Doone, vice president of integrated logistics services at Dublin, Ohio-based Cardinal Health, outlines seven changes hospital supply chains should be making to ensure smooth and efficient supply chain operations for the future.

1. Streamline the supply chain by reducing the number of touch points.
2. Make the supply chain more transparent to better track products as they move through the system. This improvement will rely heavily on significant health IT investments, according to Mr. Doone.
3. Supply chains need to increase compliancy as regulatory requirements also grow.
4. As provider locations shift from the hospital to alternate care sites, supply chains need to embrace flexibility to accommodate the shift.
5. Supply chains that are more intuitive and use technology can help optimize inventory levels.
6. Collaboration is key to managing effective warehouse sharing and transportation strategies.
7. Being nimble will allow supply chains to embrace change in product complexity, regulatory compliance, transportation and warehousing.

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