Supply chain

Allstream provides RFID solution to Hospital Logistics

TORONTO – Allstream, a division of Manitoba Telecom Services Inc., has signed an agreement with Hospital Logistics Inc. (HLI) to provide a supply chain management solution using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology.

Hospital Logistics Inc. is a Toronto, Ontario-based company that provides supply chain management solutions to hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area. HLI is owned by the University Health Network (UHN), the umbrella organization that supports three teaching and research hospitals in Toronto: Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, and Toronto Western Hospital. Two other Toronto hospitals have also signed on as customers – Mount Sinai Hospital and Sunnybrook & Women’s Health Sciences Centre.

As part of the agreement, in the first phase, Allstream will provide a web-hosted RFID solution for HLI’s supply chain management system for real-time access and use within their warehouse facilities. The solution will enable Hospital Logistics Inc. to review scanned RFID tag information and be alerted to order discrepancies before products leave the warehouse.

Allstream will program RFID tags that will be associated with each order to ensure that the medical and surgical supply inventory has been accurately delivered to HLI’s customers, as well as providing real-time information to warehouse staff for any discrepancies. In the next phase, the solution will be expanded to include an inventory management tracking system for HLI’s external suppliers.

“We are very excited to work with HLI in implementing this new RFID solution,” said Ron McKenzie, executive vice president, marketing and business development at Allstream. “This alliance marks the first phase roll-out of Allstream’s portfolio of RFID solutions that will improve customers’ inventory and supply chain management processes.”

“As a leader in our industry, Hospital Logistics Inc. is always looking to implement best practice and adopt new technologies like RFID to improve our supply chain management execution,” said David Yundt, president & COO, Hospital Logistics Inc. “Through this solution, our goal is to deliver improved quality of service in the order management process. This will ensure accurate and real-time information that is required to achieve the high service levels essential in the healthcare field.

“Allstream’s hosted RFID application will increase the speed and quality with which we can deploy our just-in-time solution, and requires far less investment of capital thanalternate solutions.”

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a barcode replacement technology that allows for remotely storing and retrieving data using devices called RFID tags/transponders and readers. An RFID tag has both a microchip and antenna that can be attached to or incorporated into a product and its packaging.

Tags are used to identify and track physical objects and provide real-time, accurate inventory control and supply chain management information. “RFID tagging stands to revolutionize the way many businesses choose to optimize their operations,” said McKenzie. “Businesses can capture in-depth product data and use this data as key business intelligence to reduce stock-outs and increase inventory efficiency. Additional benefits to businesses include increased item security, lower labour costs and an increase in item throughput. For many businesses, these benefits will translate into a substantial return on investment.”

Allstream is a leading communication solutions provider with a portfolio of Connectivity, Managed Services and Professional Services. Focused on the business market, Allstream collaborates with customers to create tailored solutions that meet their unique needs and help them compete more effectively. For more information, please visit: www.mts.ca and www.allstream.com.

Hospital Logistics Inc. (HLI) is a leading provider of supply chain management solutions to hospitals, delivering value by reducing costs and increasing service levels in support of patient care. Through its facility in Oakville, Ont., HLI provides a technically state-of-the-art and cost-effective solution so that its hospital customers can improve management of their supply chain and streamline inventory, ordering, and distribution of medical surgical supplies.