By Katie Lachey, VP Demand Generation
Joe Walsh, Founder and Managing Partner of Supply Chain Sherpas, recently sat down with Becker’s Hospital Review to talk about what’s to come for the healthcare smart supply chain in 2022.
His call for technology and data enablement to support supply chain resilience is critical. Technology can also support some of the tangential issues Joe calls out.
For example, the talent crisis. Similar industries have started to incorporate automation and data analytics as a strategy to recruit and retain the next generation. Healthcare should do the same.
The upcoming workforce expects streamlined processes, tools and technology to succeed. Struggling through clunky processes with dated or no technology will lead to low morale and turnover. The supply chain labor shortage is real and it’s an employee’s market, adapting is the only way to stand a chance in the recruiting battle.
Leveled up technology also unlocks data. If supply chain leaders want to sit beside rather than beneath the CFO, CMO, COO and CHRO—they will need to speak their language. Metrics and plans for improvement are top of mind for executives. Technology gives you access to historical data, trends and opportunities which empowers supply chain leaders to confidently make those recommendations.
Those are fringe benefits compared the value of visibility that only technology can offer.
There are two steps to data empowerment. Step one, figure out what’s going on. To build a smarter supply chain, you need to be able to see what’s happening. The clearer that picture is, the more accurate you can be when you get to step two—forecasting the future.
For decades now, traditional freight management was the only option. Visibility into status and price transparency for that matter were not available.
Technology changes all of that.
A modern, resilient supply chain demands visibility and the power to make a change when your health system isn’t being served well.
VPL’s Smart Supply Chain Platform is uniquely positioned to support health systems with a first, easy step toward resiliency. Access to data and cost savings inside of two weeks—without disrupting your day to day.
For more on technology’s role in building toward supply chain resilience, check out “The Resiliency Playbook“.
