Patient-centric networks at the heart of pharmaceutical supply chain management: Lessons from LogiPharma Europe 2018

Dr. MadhavDurbha

LogiPharma 18

In early April I attended the LogiPharma Europe 2018 conference in Montreux, Switzerland, an event that attracted more than 800 attendees, including practitioners and executives from pharma and medical device industries, along with software vendors and many service providers.

Here are some key takeaways from a content-rich, fun and exciting pharma supply chain conference.

1. Patient-centric networks are reshaping pharma supply chains

In a thought provoking presentation, Philippe Francois, global head of supply chain for Novartis, observed that while pharma companies have been talking about patient centricity for years, a typical pharma supply chain links the Active Pharma Ingredient (API) to manufacturing, distribution, retail/pharmacy, and finally to patient—with the patient always at the end of the chain!

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Is global complexity driving your automotive supply chain to the edge?

AlexaCheater

The solution to supply chain issues in the automotive industry

Don’t put your supply chain profits and productivity at risk. New technologies, emerging and shifting markets, disconnected regional processes, increasing volumes and added customer demands—these are just a few of the speed bumps automotive supply chains are facing. And not addressing all that mounting complexity could be putting your supply chain profits and productivity at risk.

But shining the headlights on these potential issues isn’t enough to solve them. To keep your automotive supply chain on the road to success, you’ll need to realign, consolidate and coordinate supply chain planning across all tiers and regions in your network, including suppliers. And that means connecting data, processes and people into a single supply chain planning platform—one that utilizes concurrent planning.

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Top 10 signs you’ve been working in supply chain too long

BillDuBois

Top 10 signs you’ve been working in supply chain too long

Boomers, millennial leadership and supply chain management jokes. Is it time for the older generation to move on?

It’s no secret supply chain talent has been top of mind for many executives for some time. Research firm Gartner even has it listed as a hot topic for its Supply Chain Executive Conference in Phoenix, May 14–17.

There are a couple of reasons for this. The first is the aging population. A number of reports from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and Pew Research Center state 10,000 baby boomers are retiring every day. It’s easy to speculate there would be some supply chain talent retiring. The question is: How do you replace the knowledge gap created by those retirements?

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An executive’s guide to AI in supply chain management

AlexaCheater

Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chain Management – KinaxisFaster, smarter, more profitable supply chain decisions

Transitioning from hype to reality, artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum across industries thanks to an explosion in computing power and storage, the emergence of IoT (Internet of Things) and big data, and algorithmic advances. While there have been numerous examples of how AI can boost profits in supply chain execution—most notably in the form of autonomous vehicles and smart robotics—the benefits related to supply chain planning have largely been ignored.

But that’s starting to change as future-focused executives see the potential to improve profitability and productivity by making faster, smarter supply chain planning decisions. The first step in achieving those benefits is understanding AI and the other technologies associated with it, and where they can help improve your supply chain planning initiatives.

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A brilliant mind: 5 Stephen Hawking quotes

BillDuBois

A brilliant mind: 5 Stephen Hawking quotesOn March 14, 2018, the world lost an unbelievable talent in Stephen Hawking. Tributes continue to pour in around the globe for a man who gave so much to science, all while fighting motor neuron disease since the age of 21. As astronaut Chris Hadfield commented on Twitter, “Genius is so fine and rare.”

Fortunately, for us, Hawking’s genius will live forever as his words continue to inspire generations. He had many great quotes that motivate anyone regardless of profession. Like many others, I try my best to apply Hawking’s wisdom to my work. If you’re reading this, that work is likely improving supply chain planning and our lives in general. The two often intertwine, which makes the wisdom even more valuable.

With that in mind, I thought I’d pass along some of my favorite Stephen Hawking quotes and tie them to supply chain planning.

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Space: The final logistics and supply chain management frontier

IlyasKucukcay

Space: The final logistics and supply chain management frontierRecent advancements in the space launch market may indicate an increased need for logistics and supply chain management in outer space operations. Humankind’s ongoing curiosity about space has countries competing to prove they have not only the technology, but also the resources and collective knowledge to go beyond our imagination.

Accessing what’s beyond our globe has become an accepted source of socio-political promotion. It’s an indication of a society that can use advanced supply chain technology to achieve the best, and to find and harvest the undiscovered.

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What’s keeping you from realizing digital supply chain success?

AlexaCheater

Digital Supply Chain Strategy: Challenges and Next Steps – KinaxisGoing digital has become top of mind for most supply chain leaders these days. But finding success through digital transformation is still an elusive venture. According to recent research by the Korn Ferry Institute, all 100 senior supply chain executives the firm surveyed said digital supply chains have the potential to revolutionize businesses. Seventy-four percent admitted they still have a long way to go before that becomes reality. So, what’s standing in their way (and possibly yours as well)?

Lack of a clear digital supply chain strategy

Nearly half of respondents noted that while they have started on digitization, their strategy only considers the impact on the business, not how to implement digital in the supply chain. This could be due in part to lack of engagement at the executive and board level.

“The missing capability is understanding of supply chain at the board level. Supply chain is seen as cost down, whereas we should see it as a new revenue model generator. Everything comes back to the leadership challenge; why are we failing to get the right leadership at the top?” called out Janet Godsell, University of Warwick’s professor of operations and supply chain strategy at Warwick Manufacturing Group, in the report.

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What does it take to build a best-in-class supply chain?

AlexaCheater

Avaya: A supply chain management case study

Driving Avaya's digital transformationTrust in the transformation. That’s what high-tech giant Avaya had to do when the company decided to radically change up how it manages its supply chain. Going from a self-proclaimed worst-in-class supply chain to one of the best in the business was no easy feat, but the rewards were well worth the effort.

“In the beginning, it was tough,” admits Benji Green, Avaya’s Senior Director, Integrated Supply Chain Planning & Operations, in a recent article published by Supply Chain Digital. “12-hour days, hair on fire supply constraints, excess inventory, completely manual processes, imbalanced supplier terms and conditions, poor cash to cash. You name it, it was bad. It was hard to imagine becoming best-in-class at the time.”

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