Mr. Dowse’s predictions for the healthcare supply chain next year:
1. Rising tariffs. Increasing tariffs on various products will remain a concern for the healthcare industry, forcing “the C-suite to rethink its current manufacturing strategies and global operations.”
2. Emergence of artificial intelligence. AI and machine learning will fill the gap between information and optimization, harnessing and analyzing data generated by connected medical devices.
3. On-demand freight. Uber Freight and other new platforms will push more truckers and less-than-truckload carriers into the gig economy. This may affect speed of delivery.
4. Competitive advantages. Supply chains that have access to data, AI and machine learning may begin to see a competitive advantage in the market.
5. The move to orchestration. Orchestration is the process of arranging and coordinating automated tasks to consolidate a process or workflow. With advanced technology, “organizations will become poised to move from automation to orchestration,” Mr. Dowse said.
More articles on supply chain:
First FDA-cleared ‘digital therapeutic’ for substance use disorder launches
Software issues drive medical device recalls for 10th consecutive quarter, report finds
FDA’s cybersecurity policies for postmarket medical devices are ‘insufficient,’ OIG finds
