How S2 Enhanced Contract and Substitution Management for Distributors
Optimizing contract processing and substitution management through a robust web application.
Overview
Industry: Healthcare Product Pricing Optimization for Distributers
Challenge: Streamline pricing, contract and substitution management for distributors buying from multiple wholesale sources..
Solution: A comprehensive web application integrated with real-time file/web syncing and advanced validation mechanisms.
Outcome: Enhanced operational efficiency, enables concurrency, reduced errors, faster pricing quotes.
The Challenge
Healthcare distributors must consolidate data on tens of thousands of product skus from multiple wholesale distributors, including contracted pricing with compatible product substitutions. Key challenges included:
- Inefficient File Management: Files had to be named and synced according to strict conventions, but inconsistencies caused delays.
- Complex Substitution Handling: Managing and validating substitution data required significant manual effort, leading to frequent errors.
- Real-Time Updates: The need for real-time synchronization between local file storage and the web application was critical but unfulfilled.
- Data Accuracy: Errors in contracts, substitutions, and mapping often caused inconsistencies, impacting decision-making.
- Slow Quote Turn-around Times: Due to the problems mentioned above combined with the bottleneck of using a single threaded process to extract pricings, quotes took several days to a week to produce.
These challenges necessitated an innovative platform to simplify processes, enforce validations, and enable real-time operations.
The Solution
The S2 platform addressed these challenges with a feature-rich web application:
File Management
- Automated the enforcement of strict file naming conventions for local and contract files.
Real-Time Syncing
- Integrated with Box cloud storage to sync recently uploaded files with the application in real time.
- Archived old files automatically and ensured only the latest file remained active.
Substitution Handling
- Supported processing of substitution files with precise rules to ensure consistency.
- Included a mapping tool for manufacturer synonyms, enhancing data consistency.
Contract Management
- Validated contract tiers against master files, ensuring data accuracy.
- Displayed real-time visual indicators, for pending and processed files.
User-Friendly Features
- Provided notifications for file processing status.
- Enabled batch processing of substitution files for efficient handling.
Implementation
Market Focus:
Designed to cater to healthcare distributors like Medline, Cardinal Health, and McKesson.
Technology Stack:
Utilized cutting-edge tools for real-time file sync, automated validations, and intuitive UI/UX.
Scalability:
Built with scalability in mind to accommodate additional distributors and evolving business needs.
Results and Impact
Operational Efficiency:- Reduced processing time for contracts and substitutions by 35%.
- Dramatically increased through generating new quotes.
- Virtually eliminated errors through automated validations and real-time feedback.
- Enhanced user experience with intuitive features like tooltips and badges.
- Streamlined workflows, allowing users to process files more efficiently.
- Established the platform as a reliable solution for managing distributor operations.
- Positioned for expansion into other markets and industries.
Key Takeaways
- S2’s robust functionalities revolutionized contract and substitution management for distributors quoting their clients.
- Real-time syncing and automated validations significantly enhanced efficiency and accuracy.
- The platform’s scalability ensures long-term adaptability to market demands.