How Adaptable Is Your Supply Chain?

A recent article in FiercePharma Manufacturing highlights the importance of adaptability and planning in the supply chain as effective success strategies for pharma companies in 2012. It references a report, Tompkins International's Strategies to Transform Your Supply Chains in 2012, which describes the situation and remedies as follows:

“Risk, instability and rapid change are here to stay,” according to the report, “making all supply chain planning a risky, albeit a necessary, endeavor. That's where adaptability comes in: Being adaptive is not about having a great plan, but being able to move and change very quickly to stay ahead of the market…In order to increase efficiency and meet all track & trace regulations, as well as security challenges, the requirement to implement the appropriate systems and equipment is mandatory.”

Process intelligence systems are critical throughout the “adaptable supply chain” -- not only to help pharma manufacturers learn what happens, but also why it happens. By utilizing data analysis and technology for better process understanding, companies can adapt quickly when deviations occur -- helping to bring products to market faster, prevent product shortages and reduce overall costs in the supply chain.

-- Joe Rothman