UPS has launched a field inventory technology solution to help ensure that surgical kits and implantable medical devices arrive where they need to be when they need to be there.

According to UPS, the new integrated solution is the result of a collaboration with WebOps, a medical device logistics and analytics technology provider, and Baxter Planning, an inventory planning and optimization solutions provider. It is designed to help medical device manufacturers optimize their supply chain amid stricter standards for patient safety.

“Medical device manufacturers require specialized services and solutions to solve problems that help to improve patient care,” said David O’Leary, vice president of operations, global logistics and distribution at UPS. “We are now leveraging these core strengths to bring solutions to the implantable medical device industry that offer better visibility and quality, reduced inventory and lower supply chain costs.”

The WebOps application enables precise tracking of surgery schedules, physician preferences, inventory availability and movement of surgical kits and implants. Surgeons and hospitals, device and instrument manufacturers, as well as distributors can also communicate about implant usage, product needs and consumption. Baxter Planning’s solution provides unified inventory planning for the consigned inventory across hospitals and forward stocking locations to simultaneously improve order fulfilment and productivity while helping to reduce inventory and transportation costs.

The majority of medical device inventory lies outside a manufacturer’s direct control, moving between field representatives and hospitals. This limited visibility can result in redundant inventories within local markets and increased inventory carry costs and can leave field sales representatives managing logistics instead of supporting surgeons.

UPS currently operates a network of both healthcare field-stocking locations and distribution centres serving manufacturers and distributors of medical devices. The additional platforms provide cloud-based capabilities to help optimize field inventory through enhanced planning, visibility, streamlined logistics and focused “final-mile” services.