MMIS, How Advanced Have We Become?

I have worked with several different MMIS (Materials Management Information Systems) and I have always been curious as to why so many positions want experience with Lawson, Meditech, PMM/HEMM when there is no standardization to how they are used or implemented from one HCO to another. My point is, when discussing with other SCMs, depending on what version they have loaded and how IDNs and Independents manage their supply chain operations, there really isn't any standard process to manage these software products, I am sure the vendors would disagree.

So, is it more important to know how a MMIS operates or knowing a particular software package? My answer is knowing how a MMIS operates, a Supply Chain Professional should be experienced in the actual management of master files (data) and their content, Contracts, EDI,  Requisitions, Purchase Orders, Receiving, PAR management and all the nuances of reports that indicate an action is required. I am not bragging, but I can get into any MMIS and start working the day I receive my login and password, and at my level, I am more concerned about the type of reports that I can extract from my MMIS.  Some of this system lack the kind of reports a director or VP require to manage the system, we normally have external reports produced with Excel Spreadsheets or having our data analysis produce specialized reports that bring the data to life. This is where our experience shines, you can't teach experience and maturity, this is something that time and exposure must be allowed to take place.

I have never been very impressed with any particular product, they all pretty much do the same thing and in my 36 years, the use of other software (Microsoft) has been a staple in producing smarter data in order to make better decisions, this has been a head scratcher considering the cost of the MMIS.

I understand that most people that interview are ask if they have worked with this MMIS or another main brand, and the biggest reason any financial system is chosen? The clinical side has the most influence and often dictates what system will be used with Finance and Materials Management.

My last HCO had many pieces within HEMM that we did not use or it interfered with STAR and the Charge Master, so, why did we purchase this? The bottom line, MM was never consulted on the software selection, we were just informed that this is what we are getting. This also attributes to why we lag behind other industries in this area of supply chain.

In order for Materials Management to evolve into what everyone is wanting, then smarter and more integrated systems need to designed for MM to see actual supply utilization at the bedside...........now we are talking smart and relevant data.

The question I would ask a MM candidate, how would you use our current MMIS to maximize efficiency and value within our HCO? This allows the candidate to demonstrate their real abilities to manage information and incorporating that information in to better results. I know what is important, you tell me what you think is important in a MMIS....that is what I am thinking. If I can be a little frank, if you don't work in SCM, how would you know what a good answer is or not?

My number one request for a MMIS, I want to be able to manage or change the reports within the system, if I have to use other software products to produce smarter reports, then efficiency is going to take a hit.

To sum this all up, MMIS have been around forever, actually, I have claimed that SCM is actually the oldest profession in the world. How do you think Genghis Kahn, Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Columbus and the Roman Empire had their success and failures? Logistics can be attributed to all of these periods of time. Logistics was being planned along with their strategic goals, and all of these leaders made sure their Logistics Chiefs had all the right tools to be successful.