PRODUCTS/TECHNOLOGIES

Which of the following products and technologies should become standard strategies and tactics for healthcare supply chain in the future? Respondents were asked to check all that apply and to rank their top 3 and explain their reasoning.

Tracking and tracing — bar coding, RTLS (e.g., RFID, infrared, ultraviolet), Bluetooth, Near- field communication, etc.) and smart labels (e.g., QR codes)
Cybersecurity (e.g., apps, hardware, software)
Demand management/predictive analytics software
Robotic Process Automation (RPA) (including advanced dashboards, using "bots" to accomplish basic, mundane and routine tasks and automatic reorder points)
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Mobile devices/technology (e.g., multifunctional smartphones for clinical, operational tasks)
Cloud-based software for virtual ERP to virtual MMIS to virtual item masters to virtual physician/surgeon preference cards, etc.
(4-way tie) Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) (including and remote-control tugs)
- Automated product dispensaries (e.g., closed cabinetry, open/weight-based cabinetry/carts)
- Internet of Things (IoT)/Machine-to-machine (M2M) interoperability
- 3-D printing
(5-way tie) Augmented reality (AR) (e.g., for directions, instructions, locating, mapping, teaching, training)
- Blockchain
- Robotics (including "co"botic arms, exoskeletons, etc.)
- Virtual reality (VR) (e.g., for demonstrations, designing, inservice training and education)
- Wearable computing/sensors (e.g., wearable/wireless sensors, watches, wristbands, pins)
(Tie) Drones
- Wayfinding (e.g., digital flatscreens/interactive touchscreens, voice-activated signage, kiosks)

Source: Leaders & Luminaries survey of Future Famers, July 2024