Supply Chain Planning and Network Design: Creating Supply Chain Oases for Expanding Food and Pharmaceutical Deserts

Supply Chain Planning and Network Design: Creating Supply Chain Oases for Expanding Food and Pharmaceutical Deserts

This IDC Market Perspective discusses macroeconomic pressures and societal shifts that are creating new pharmaceutical and grocery supply chain deserts. Survey data from the life sciences industry indicates supply chain managers sense these shifts and are prioritizing investments to manage the supply chain response. Technology vendors will be called on to create solutions that optimize inventories, respond to consumer needs, and enable cost-efficient, direct-to-consumer models. This has the added benefit of serving a greater good for communities that would otherwise be left behind.“In the past, pharmaceutical and grocery deserts would have been a large pain point for whole communities. With advancements in learning technologies, supply chain network optimization, and last-mile capabilities, the path is before businesses and technology vendors in these industries to provide vital services and products with creative and efficient solutions,” says Eric Thompson, research director, Worldwide Supply Chain Planning, IDC.

Please Note: Extended description available upon request.