Sinoroclast: September 2011

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Supply of Medical Devices

A nice video on supply of medical devices.

Optimizing the Supply Chain of Medical Devices: A Shared SaaS Platform for Suppliers and Providers
This reminded me of my field visits, where the sales Rep keeps a trunk stock, and a paper report or an application acts as a stock manager.

Some interesting concepts:
- Physician Preference Items (100 to 20000 US$ each, ca 40% of total hospital supply expenses)
- Consignment items
- Write-offs (I no longer find write-offs an issue, only the fact that they are not controlled/observed)
- Reverse logistics ARE important (Recalls, expired items)

Some concepts I keep present:
- 3 most important things seem to be traceability, traceability and traceability. Easy traceability, as in "show me your RFID/Barcode, I will know where you are". Ubiquitous traceability, as in "tell me often where you are".

- A rigid system would not work. Any system should not be limiting the marketing and distribution models

- Integration with other processes (charging, clinical) is a common requirement. For example tracking an item that has been implanted...

When it comes to inventory...
All you know is that you're wrong. But how wrong?

Monday 12 September 2011

Going Agile

The team decided to implement Scrum.

Based on lessons learned with the best, we have a team that is willing to deliver working software and get frequent feedback.

The formula comes down to 3 things:
- Engage
- Always be ready to deliver frequently
- Evaluate your delivery frequently, and how to make a better delivery next time.

The product is an innovative one, so much benefit should come from this new approach.