April 05, 2016 Guest opinion piece
A view from Andre Menezes, International Sales Manager at EDICOM
There can be no doubt that the technological leap looming in the UK health sector is important. So before taking a run up and deciding to take the plunge, we recommend that you consider 8 key points that will help you choose the optimum EDI solution to implement your eProcurement project with the NHS.
We are just a few months away from experiencing a technological benchmark in the United Kingdom. It may be imperceptible to most of the population, but for the NHS and its suppliers, there can be no doubt that it means a technological quantum leap.
EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) technology, supported by the integrating capacity of standards, brings with it the opportunity for the public health sector to automate business and logistical relations. The benefits for the entire supply chain, hospitals and providers are many: cost savings, fewer errors, enhanced traceability, shorter payment collection times, etc. However, before they can benefit from the advantages of the system, NHS Trusts and their suppliers will have to make a significant effort of technological adaptation to bring their internal management systems into line with the new mandatory electronic procedures.
GS1 coding, PEPPOL standards, GDSN, PEPPOL Network, Master Data Management, Data Integration…etc. The technological requirements are complex and call for the implementation of a certified technological infrastructure and a high degree of prior knowledge to succeed in the process. This technological leap is inarguably important, and this is why, before deciding to take the plunge, we advise you to take into account 8 key points that will help you choose the best EDI solution for your business, and the most suitable technology partner for implementation of the NHS system.
1. A transparent solution
The EDI solution must be able to extract the data from your enterprise resource planning (ERP) or management system automatically. Only then is it possible to roll out an integrated platform, which acts as a communication bridge to the NHS platform, with no need for complex developments in internal systems.
2. Experience is a point in favour
Rolling out the NHS eProcurement strategy involves a lengthy and complex process, consisting of different phases. It is therefore advisable to engage the services of a specialist EDI provider to accompany and guide you throughout its implementation. In this sense, it is very useful to draw up a collaborative work schedule that covers all phases. Additionally, you should be fully informed on the working methods and certificates held by your consultants in the IT project management area.
3. Technological capacity
The provider’s technological solvency must be taken into account. This is something that may be accredited by different certificates. One of the most widely used is the SLA or Service Level Agreement, a commitment whereby the training partner undertakes to provide certain guarantees (service availability, maximum incident resolution time, etc).
4. Certified technology
The NHS eProcurement system requires solutions certified to interoperate in different networks. On one hand, the service provider must be accredited as an Access Point Provider by the OpenPEPPOL Association, to be able to connect to the PEPPOL platform. Moreover, the e-catalogue (data pool) must be authorised by GS1 to operate in the GDSN (Global Data Synchronisation Network).
5. Divide and you shall not conquer
Sometimes, when faced with complex projects like this, companies tend to subdivide them and assign each area to a different supplier. This can, however, hamper coordination and involves an added effort both in implementation and in future running of the platform. In our experience, the project should be proposed as a single solution, flexible, scalable and ready to exchange data throughout all the networks and standards set by the NHS.
6. Think of the future
As it stands today, suppliers need to connect with the NHS and exchange e-documents according to the set requirements. However, paperless strategies are making headway throughout Europe, so it is important to look to the future. Choose a partner that provides a solution scalable to other regions worldwide and with capacity to also extend to B2B projects.
7. Outsource and save on costs
NHS suppliers are required to adapt to the obligatory e-procurement system. Nevertheless, this also brings economic benefits for businesses in the mid- to long-term. In this sense, the use of software developed in application service provider (ASP) – software as a service (SaaS) mode provides savings on human and technological resources. Hardware, software, and maintenance activities are managed in a Data Processing Centre run by the service provider.
8. Ongoing quality support
Opt for a provider that ensures ongoing quality support. Weigh up aspects such as the dimensions of the provider company, its sustained growth, human resources...etc.
Bear in mind that your relationship with the supplier does not end with rollout of the EDI solution. Through time, the system will gradually evolve and be subject to continuous upgrades. An uninterrupted support service that guarantees recurrent monitoring of the solution is crucial for the present and future success of your project.
Are you ready for the technological leap? EDICOM is.
EDICOM has extensive experience in the area of public and private health, with the rollout of EDI B2B2G solutions interconnecting laboratories, distributors and public health services throughout Europe.
With widespread start-up of the NHS eProcurement strategy imminent, EDICOM has already geared up its EDI Health platform to be able to respond with a solution that integrates all the technological requirements set out by the Department of Health.
You can find out about our technological proposal at the GS1 Healthcare Conference on 12 and 13 April at the Radisson Blu Edwardian, Heathrow.