Premier Collaborates with Suppliers to Enhance Health Care Supply Chain Management

Premier, Inc. has announced a significant move to improve the efficiency of health care supply chain management through electronic commerce solutions. As part of its broader strategy to lead in health care e-commerce, Premier is collaborating with top supplier companies, including Hewlett-Packard Co., Alliant Foodservice, Inc., and Allegiance Healthcare Corp., a subsidiary of Cardinal Health, Inc. These partnerships are aimed at providing seamless integration among each company's Internet-based order management system and the Premier WebCat electronic catalog.

Key Takeaways:

• Premier is working with major supplier companies to enhance health care supply chain management through electronic commerce solutions.
• The partnerships are part of Premier's strategy to lead in health care e-commerce, focusing on taking out unnecessary costs from the supply chain.
• Expanded partnership arrangements have been established with Hewlett-Packard Co., Alliant Foodservice, Inc., and Allegiance Healthcare Corp. to integrate their order management systems with Premier WebCat.
• The integration of order management systems will allow Premier members to order products directly through the WebCat catalog, providing real-time information about purchases and purchasing patterns.
• Premier expects to achieve savings through increased efficiency in supply chain processes, including selection, ordering, shipping, inventorying, handling, and tracking.
• A 1996 study found that the health care industry could reduce its overall supply chain costs by over $11 billion, representing 48% of existing process costs, through improved supply chain efficiency.
• Premier plans to invest up to $50 million in accelerating its e-commerce capabilities, focusing on integrating and optimizing systems that support supply chain operations.
• The company is also in the process of complementing existing systems where needed to improve supply chain efficiency.

Statistics:

• Premier WebCat is currently used by over 1,100 participating members.
• The health care industry can reduce its overall supply chain costs by $11.1 billion and 48% of existing process costs through efficient supply chain management.
• Premier plans to invest up to $50 million in accelerating its e-commerce capabilities.
• The company aims to achieve savings through increased efficiency in supply chain processes, such as reduced selection and ordering time, lower shipping costs, and enhanced inventory management.

Sources:

• Premier, Inc.
• Hewlett-Packard Co.
• Alliant Foodservice, Inc.
• Allegiance Healthcare Corp. (a subsidiary of Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Efficient Healthcare Consumer Response (EHCR) initiative (1996)