Complete support for the supply chain through an innovative web-based solution.
Challenge
Rising cost pressures in the healthcare sector, cost-cutting measures imposed by health authorities, and industry consolidation are driving hospitals to seek new ways to deliver their services more cost-effectively and efficiently.
GEBLOG was founded in 2006 as a service and purchasing association. Its purpose is to strengthen the independence and self-administration of its member hospitals and healthcare institutions in the long term by offering a broad and professional range of products and services.
As part of efforts to reduce costs, a web-based solution was implemented to optimize the flow of information and materials. The clinics were to bundle material deliveries, place joint orders, and obtain supplies from their own central warehouse.
Solution
Since the direct connection of the various material management systems (MAWI) to central logistics would have incurred excessive costs and taken too long for MAWI suppliers, a solution was designed that was pragmatic and quick to implement, required significantly fewer adjustments to the MAWI systems, and offered maximum convenience for the ordering departments of the hospitals and the central logistics provider.
The web-based OP4 system, which was implemented and launched in 2008, enabled all departments of the three affiliated hospitals (Balgrist University Hospital, Uster and Wetzikon) to record their material requirements per department directly and to transmit the order to the central warehouse electronically. The purchases were automatically processed in the logistics system, and delivery to the hospital department took place the following day. The quantities purchased were periodically reconciled with the hospital’s own MAWI system.
Orders from suppliers were automatically consolidated across hospitals by OP4 and placed electronically via an intermediary (Medical Columbus). The ordered materials were delivered to the central warehouse by the various suppliers. The goods received were made available to the departments via OP4.
OP4 was in productive use for around eight years until it was discontinued and replaced in 2015 by the direct MAWI connections to the logistics system that had been implemented in the meantime.
Our Contribution
Design and development of the web-based solution
Bundling of material orders
Supply according to Kanban
Flexible connection to the MAWI system and the logistics system via EDI (XML)
Productive operation of the operational solution
Second and third-level support