Accenture Helps MedShare International Improve Healthcare in Developing Countries via New Supply Chain Strategy
New global operations strategy for distributing surplus medical supplies positions MedShare to serve more of the disadvantaged in the developing world
NEW YORK; Feb. 22, 2007— Accenture (NYSE: ACN) recently completed the development of a global supply chain strategy for MedShare International, an Atlanta-based a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to distributing surplus medical supplies and equipment for use by healthcare institutions in developing countries.
The goal of the Accenture-led pro bono initiative was to develop a strategy that would enable MedShare to expand its operations so that it could supply the economically developing world with surplus medical supplies from U.S. donors in a more cost-effective manner. Accenture, leveraging expertise from its Supply Chain Management and Health & Life Sciences practices, conducted extensive analysis using LogicTools software to analyze MedShare’s domestic network and identify new domestic supply sources and locations for expanding the organization’s distribution capabilities.
“Our goal is to reach more of the disadvantaged while ensuring we make the most-efficient use of donated supplies and funds from our increasing number of partners and sponsors,” said A.B. Short, co-founder and CEO of MedShare. “We needed a new strategy for our global supply chain in order to achieve that.”
Since MedShare was founded in 1998, it has retrieved more than $41 million in surplus medical supplies and equipment from US donors and shipped 300 40-foot medical aid containers to healthcare institutions in 89 developing countries. The organization expects to expand its supply sourcing across, and significantly increase its shipments outside, the United States in the coming years, creating the need for a global operations strategy that improves its ability to deliver more donated items to more recipient institutions.
“Working with MedShare has provided Accenture with the opportunity to put our skills to work for an exemplary cause,” said Greg Cudahy, managing director of Accenture’s Supply Chain Strategy practice. “We are pleased to bring our expertise helping clients manage complex global operations to MedShare’s supply chain.”
MedShare’s Board of Trustees has accepted Accenture’s recommendations for the new supply chain strategy and is developing an implementation plan.
“We are pleased to have the support of Accenture’s supply chain professionals,” said Short. “The work the team has done to create our strategy for managing increased distribution will help us achieve our mission of improving the lives of countless patients all over the world.”
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With approximately 146,000 people in 49 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$16.65 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2006. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
About MedShare International
MedShare International, a 501-(c)-3 non-profit organization, provides vital medical supplies and equipment to economically developing countries by recycling unneeded surplus from U.S. manufacturers, distributors and healthcare systems. MedShare recovers and delivers medical goods which are valuable and needed, but which would be discarded due to procedural excess, regulatory requirements or production overage. Shipments go to qualified healthcare facilities in developing countries and are customized by direct product orders from MedShare’s stock by the recipient institutions. MedShare offers U.S. healthcare providers and suppliers an environmentally and socially responsible alternative to throwing away medical materials. Its homepage is www.medshare.org.
About LogicTools
LogicTools provides strategic and tactical supply chain optimization applications designed to complement existing IT investments. LogicTools’ integrated solutions allow companies to make a wide range of supply chain decisions, from choosing the best strategic network design, to deciding on the most efficient sourcing strategy, to optimizing inventory placement throughout the different levels of the supply chain. As a longtime SAP partner, LogicTools has helped many customers complement their ERP and planning applications with optimization solutions. LogicTools’ SAP-certified solutions include: LogicNet Plus, Inventory Analyst, and Safety Stock Optimizer.
Rachel Barere
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