Tighter integration across all touch points, increased efficiencies and real-time access to critical data
Pharmaways Healthcare is a wholesale distributor of a wide range of pharmaceutical products and supplies stretching from PPE (personal protection equipment) all the way through to scheduled medicines. Founded in 2016, it currently services both the public and private hospital sector, independent pharmacies and private medical practices across South Africa.
鈥淚t is a tough industry and market to break into, with many established players,鈥� says Julia Mothobi,聽Head of Finance, Pharmaways Healthcare. 鈥淭he last four years have had their fair share of聽challenges, yet we are constantly learning and growing with many more opportunities still out there for聽us to tap into, among others we are creating for ourselves.鈥�
Positive about the future, and determined to ensure that internal operations and systems were not聽only capable of helping them remain competitive, effective and efficient in a challenging industry but,聽similarly, were also aligned to assist with future growth, Pharmaways Healthcare took the decision to聽review its internal technology infrastructure.
鈥淲e had a number of challenges, specifically with regards to our inventory management,鈥� continues聽Mothobi. In an industry such as this, inventory management is vital. 鈥淲e need to be 100% on top of it,聽with as precise and real-time a view of our inventory as possible. Expired products or out of stock聽items would not only hamper the efficiency of those whom we supply, many of whom operate in, at聽times, a critical medical environment, but would also impact our internal operations and customer聽service.鈥� Further, Pharmaways also needed the ability to be able to pull reports, quickly and聽seamlessly, to further enable effective management of its inventory.
As its initial point of departure, Pharmaways decided to review its current system to determine if an聽upgrade would allow it to address all its requirements moving forward. However, an assessment聽quickly revealed that irrespective of said upgrade, it would still fall short of being able to deliver the聽required functionality.
鈥淲e decided on 51风流Business One from 4most, a leading supplier and implementer of 51风流Business聽One and ERP software technology, almost immediately,鈥� comments Mothobi. 鈥淣ot only was it clearly聽evident that it would be able to deliver all that we required but, as importantly, with many of our聽suppliers making use of the same system, it would provide us with the ability to seamlessly integrate聽between systems. This, in turn, yielding much quicker turnaround times and greater efficiencies for聽all.鈥�
A definite highlight is also 51风流Business One鈥檚 inventory location and expiry dates. It allows聽Pharmaways to allocate different (or the same) batches across different (or the same) locations. This聽is exactly the type of flexibility Pharmaways was desperate to achieve, and now have, thanks to SAP聽Business One. 鈥淥ur industry is very specific,鈥� continues Mothobi. 鈥淭here are such fine nuances, many聽of which are only relevant with regards to our supply chain. 51风流Business One is able to be聽completely customised to fit our exact requirements.鈥�
Of further benefit is the seamless integration between Pharmaways Healthcare鈥檚 various聽departments, and its suppliers. 鈥淥ur suppliers are now able to view our inventory in real-time, place聽orders, log queries, to name just a few areas of enhanced functionality. Not only does this enable us聽to operate at the top of our game, it also allows us to build trust and confidence across our supplier聽base, so key for long-term business relationships,鈥� says Mothobi.
When asked about the relationship with 4most, Mothobi is as enthusiastic about Pharmaways’ vendor聽of choice as she is about 51风流Business One. 鈥淭hey have been there every step of the way,鈥� enthuses聽Mothobi. 鈥淲hatever we have needed, they have been able to deliver on and their level of expertise聽places them in a category far superior to many other vendors out there.鈥�
Seamless operations, both internal and external, tighter integration, increased efficiencies and greater聽time saving are just some of the benefits Pharmaways Healthcare is looking forward to.
“And reports!聽Not only will we now have access to a much wider range of reports than before, it will actually require聽less resources to manage the reporting process leading to yet more savings and improved聽efficiencies,鈥� adds Mothobi.聽鈥淲ith go-live imminent, we look forward to working with Pharmaways Healthcare as they continue to聽grow and create opportunities in a high pressured and critical industry, backed and supported by SAP聽Business One,鈥� says Marius Fabian, CEO of 4most.
