IBS Pharma – the right medicine for pharmaceutical distributors
Press Release Feb 21, 2002
The pharmaceutical distribution industry has very specific needs within areas such as purchasing, customer service, dispatch and physical storage. But the primary need is to be able to handle large volumes fast. When a customer – such as a hospital or a pharmacy – makes an order, speed and accuracy mean everything. IBS has developed a product for these specific needs: IBS Pharma.
He started IBS Pharma
The main person behind the product, managing director of IBS Germany and head of the Global Competence Center Pharma, Andre Grigjanis, says:
"The pharmaceutical wholesale business has the most challenging institutional requirements, and accurate distribution on time is fundamental for the industry."
IBS Germany has already launched the product with a pilot customer, starting in October 2001. IBS Pharma is now an official IBS product, sold by all IBS offices globally.
"At present we have prospective clients in 17 countries," Grigjanis says, just returning from a business trip in Brazil, where he presented the solution to a large pharmaceutical distributor.
A program with phonetic correction
Apart from handling the extremely high volumes in order processing during peak hours, IBS Pharma has several other functions that can make the life of a distributor easier. These functions also differentiate IBS Pharma from the competition. One function affecting sales is the phonetic correction, which means that if the customer misspells the name of the product, the software will detect it and find the correct product name. IBS Pharma also includes features that help the distributor to follow rules and regulations connected to the distribution of narcotics, such as item restrictions for a specific customer. The customer can also receive a 'wake-up-call,' a tool used to remind customers to order if they have forgotten.
"Many customers fear that they will lose their competitive edge with a standardized software product. But because we provide them with the source code, they can either modify it themselves or do it with us. We are the only it service provider who offers this service," Grigjanis explains.
Why can't distributors just develop the software themselves?
"With IBS Pharma, we are able to cover standard functions that the distributors need. It would cost them 5-6 times more to develop such software themselves, and they might not even get it to work. IBS is working on an international basis, consulting international experts. We have a global competence," Grigjanis says.
In the near future, IBS plans to offer other industry-fitted products, for industries with similar needs in warehouse management and short time delivery.
"The functions developed for IBS Pharma could also be used in other industries, such as the automobile industry and consumer durables. That is why major functions of IBS Pharma are planned to be placed in the IBS standard supply chain management software," says Grigjanis.
About International Business Systems
IBS is a leading provider of business software and consulting services for Wholesale Distributors and Manufacturers worldwide. Customers rely on IBS' suite of software applications to automate demand-driven, supply-chain processes and gain a competitive advantage through improved operational efficiencies. IBS is an IBM Global Strategic Alliance Partner. Corporate revenues exceed $300 Million, and a network of almost 2,000 employees that span over 44 countries. IBS headquarters in the Americas is located in Folsom, California.
For further information, please contact:
Dan J. Wells
Vice-President of Marketing, IBS Americas
Tel: 1 (800) 886-3900
dan.wells@ibsus.com
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