poem by stephen

Harmony in Healthcare: The GS1 Standards Poem

In the realm of health, where lives intertwine,

A symphony of care, a mission divine.

GS1 brings standards, a beacon so bright,

Guiding our steps through day and through night.

 

Barcodes align, in a harmonious dance,

Medicines and devices, given a chance.

Unique identities, clear and defined,

A safer path for health we shall find.

 

GS1 Healthcare Standards, a song of the wise,

Tracing each vial as it travels the skies.

Patients and providers, united by trust,

Instruments of healing, in GS1 we thrust.

 

From manufacturer’s hand to a patient’s heart,

GS1 connections, each playing their part.

Supply chain in tune, from factory to bed,

A chorus of wellness, where worries are shed.

 

GS1 Healthcare Standards, a song of the wise,

Tracing each vial as it travels the skies.

Patients and providers, united by trust,

Instruments of healing, in GS1 we thrust.

 

 

 

Interlinked data, the tempo of care,

Errors reduced, through codes that we wear.

From lab to lab, from clinic to ward,

GS1 guides onward, where health is adored.

 

GS1 Healthcare Standards, a song of the wise,

Tracing each vial as it travels the skies.

Patients and providers, united by trust,

Instruments of healing, in GS1 we thrust.

 

GS1, the conductor of grace,

Uniting the realm, in a harmonious space.

Patients, providers, and systems aligned,

In healthcare’s embrace, solutions we find.

 

Safeguarding lives, with GS1’s embrace,

Errors diminished, a seamless embrace.

A crescendo of safety, a harmony’s song,

GS1 Healthcare Standards, forever strong.

                                                                      

GS1 Healthcare Standards, a song of the wise,

Tracing each vial as it travels the skies.

Patients and providers, united by trust,

Instruments of healing, in GS1 we thrust.

 

As the symphony concludes, the future takes flight,

With GS1 Healthcare Standards, we’re guiding it right.

A legacy forged, in each barcode’s embrace,

Harmony in healthcare, a timeless embrace.

 

distribution managemnt image

Distribution management

Introduction

Distribution management is the process used to inspect the movement of goods from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler or retailer and finally to the end consumer. Numerous activities and operations that include raw goods vendor management, packaging, warehousing, inventory, supply chain, logistics, and blockchain are involved in this process.

Why Is Distribution Management Important? 

Distribution management is critical to organizing and getting goods to the buyer promptly and with the least amount of time. Therefore, it has a direct impact on organizational profits.

What Is a Distribution Network and What Are the Benefits?

A distribution network is a connected group of storage facilities and transportation systems. Established by a distribution strategy designed to move goods from manufacturers to wholesalers, retailers, or buyers. 

Advantages of Distribution Management 

Besides delivering higher profits, distribution management eliminates waste in several ways, ranging from reduced spoilage to reduced warehousing costs since products and goods can be delivered as needed (“just in time” inventory) rather than stored in massive bulk (“just in case” inventory). 

Distribution management leads to decreased shipping charges and faster delivery to customers, and it also makes things easier for buyers as it enables “one-stop shopping” and other conveniences and rewards, such as customer loyalty rewards programs. 

Distribution Management Challenges 

  • Distribution challenges can arise from a variety of disruptions. Natural disruptions include severe weather events, raw material shortages (Bad crop years), pest damages, and epidemics or pandemics.

  • Human interference includes riots, protests, wars, and strikes. 

  • Transportation disruptions include vehicle disrepair, maintenance downtimes, accidents, delayed flights, and restrictive or new transportation regulations such as those regularly seen in trucking. 

  • Economic challenges include recessions, depressions, sudden drops or increases in consumer or market demands, new or changes in fees or compliance costs, changes in currency exchange values, and payment issues. 

  • Product disruptions include product recalls, packaging issues, and quality control issues. Buyer disruptions include order changes, shipment address changes, and product returns.

Factors That Influence Distribution Management

Many things can influence distribution management. The five most common are:

  • Unit perishability – if the product is perishable, then time is of the essence to prevent loss.

  • Buyer purchasing habits – Peaks and troughs in purchasing habits can influence distribution patterns.

  • Buyer requirements — Changes in a retailer’s or manufacturer’s just-in-time inventory demands,

  • Product mix forecasting – Optimal product mixes vary according to seasons and weather or other factors and

  • Truckload optimization – Relies on logistics and fleet management software to ensure every truck is loaded and routed according to the most efficient path.

Choosing a Distribution Management System

Choosing the right distribution management system for your organization depends on your organization’s distribution goals, challenges, and the distribution models and channels your company uses. But as a general rule, companies should evaluate: 

  • Ease of integration and compatibility with legacy systems.

  • Scalability and elasticity

  • Security

  • Data management and analytics, including real-time data streaming and ecosystem data-sharing

  • Adaptability, whether the system is agile enough to accommodate the rapid changes needed to overcome obstacles or seize new opportunities

 Elements of Distribution Management

The elements of distribution management systems are the steps involved in getting the product from the manufacturer to the end customer: example, supply chain, blockchain, logistics, a purchase order and invoicing system, vendor relationship management (VRM), customer relationship management (CRM), an inventory management system (IMS), a warehouse management system (WMS) and a transportation management system (TMS).

 

GS1 is a global non-profit organization that develops and maintains standards for supply chain management, including distribution. These standards are widely used to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and consistency in various aspects of distribution management. Here are some key GS1 standards relevant to distribution:

  1. Product Identification: GS1 standards facilitate unique identification of products using Global Trade Item Numbers (GTINs), which are encoded in barcodes. This ensures accurate tracking and traceability throughout the distribution process.

  2. Barcoding and Labeling: GS1 barcodes enable automated data capture, allowing for faster and error-free handling of goods in warehouses and during transit. This includes information like batch/lot numbers, expiration dates, and serial numbers.

  3. Data Synchronization: GS1 standards enable the synchronization of product data across the supply chain. This ensures that all parties involved have access to accurate and updated information, reducing discrepancies and errors.

  4. EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): GS1 EDI standards facilitate electronic communication between trading partners, allowing for seamless exchange of documents such as purchase orders, invoices, and shipping notices.

  5. Traceability and Recalls: With GS1 standards, companies can quickly trace products through the supply chain in case of recalls or quality issues, ensuring swift and targeted action to mitigate risks and protect consumers.

  6. EPCIS (Electronic Product Code Information Services): This standard enables real-time visibility and sharing of event-based information about the movement and status of products throughout the supply chain.

  7. Implementing GS1 standards in distribution management enhances efficiency, accuracy, and transparency across the supply chain, leading to cost savings, improved customer service, and better compliance with regulatory requirements.

GS1 standards endorsed by GS1 Kenya provide a foundation for enhanced data accuracy and integrity. GS1 Kenya’s advocacy for the adoption of GS1 standards in distribution management not only aligns businesses with global best practices but also positions them to thrive in a data-driven marketplace. Through collaborative efforts with industry stakeholders, GS1 Kenya is instrumental in fostering a business environment where standardized processes drive efficiency, visibility, and sustainability across the entire supply chain ecosystem.

origin of QR codes

Origination of QR codes

TWO-DIMENSIONAL MATRIX BARCODE.

Did you know that the two-dimensional matrix barcode or the QR code was invented in Japan by a development team led by Masahiro Hara for a company called Denso Wave? Hara is widely credited as the creator of the QR code and his team’s task was to create a barcode that could easily track automobiles and automobile parts during manufacturing but instead they invented the QR code. The QR labelling system was applied beyond the automobile industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard Universal Product Code (UPC) barcodes. Applications include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, and general marketing.

A QR code consists of black squares arranged in a square grid on a white background, including some fiducial markers, which can be read by an imaging device such as a camera, and processed using Reed–Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted. The required data is then extracted from patterns that are present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image and it works by encoding data in a machine-readable format. When you scan a QR code with your smartphone, the QR code app will decode the data and take you to the linked website, display the contact information, or let you make payments. With the rise of smart phone mobile use and as an aftereffect of a global pandemic, the use of QR codes has exploded in popularity. The main reason for this is the ease and simplicity of use that comes with it.

 

 

GS1’s first generation barcodes have been used on over 1 billion products and they contain a unique identifier known as the Global Trade Identification Number (GTIN). Thanks to GS1 standards, a simple scan connects each of these products to digital information that flows seamlessly across the supply chain. Now, 50 years after the first barcode was introduced, GS1 is launching two-dimensional (2D) barcodes capable of carrying additional data i.e., store images, website URLs, voice data, and other binary data types, that can be shared beyond the “beep” at the checkout.

Ways individuals and businesses can use QR codes

By incorporating them into their business cards. This allows people to scan the code and instantly add the business owner’s contact information to their phone. Likewise, a QR code on business cards can take people to a company’s website or contact page. This way, businesses can keep their cards simple, sleek, and innovative.

To track how effective companies marketing campaigns are, QR codes make it easy for customers to redeem coupons and businesses to track redemption rates. To use QR codes for coupons, businesses simply need to generate a unique code for each coupon and include it on the coupon itself. The customer can then scan the code with their phone to redeem the discount.

Supermarkets can also put QR codes on packaged food, allowing customers to get more information about the ingredients and recipes. The shopper merely has to hold their phone up to the QR code on the packaging, and they will be taken to a website or an app with more information. It is an excellent way for businesses to provide customers with more transparency about their food products. Plus, it is a helpful way for shoppers to learn more about what they’re buying and how to use it.

Getting customer insights is essential for every business since it helps assess customer satisfaction levels and identify areas for improvement. Traditionally, customer surveys were paper-based and required customers to fill out a form and drop it in a box or mail it back. With the advent of QR codes, businesses can now create digital customer surveys that are easy to complete and don’t require any paper. You have to put a QR code on the receipt you give to the customer after a purchase.

Many restaurants switched to contactless menus during the pandemic to help reduce the spread of germs. Instead, customers can scan a QR code with their smartphone to view the menu, also an excellent way for them to keep their menus updated in real-time and avoid printing new menus every time there’s a change.

When fully embraced, QR codes can also be put on resumes whereby potential employers can scan the QR code and be taken to a website where they can learn more about the person’s qualifications and experience. This can be a great way to stand out in competition and make it easy for employers to learn more about you.

In a nutshell QR codes are developing at a relentless pace, offering a wide array of benefits across multiple industries. The smart technology trend has already become widespread, and shows no sign of abating.

Once again, I ask. When a QR code has every aspect captured, why would one desire a linear barcode?