World Courier’s real-time location monitoring innovation shortlisted for prestigious supply chain award

We are thrilled to announce that we have been shortlisted for the 2024 Supply Chain Excellence Awards. Our entry highlights the implementation of real-time monitoring as  standard on all our multi-use packaging, significantly enhancing the service we provide to our customers and improving patient care.

Real-time location monitoring as standard: Every moment matters in the journey from discovery to delivery

The innovation for this awards submission is centered around a key tenet: that every moment matters in the journey from discovery to delivery. Understanding the crucial nature of timely and secure delivery for valuable shipments that can impact patient lives, we recognize that every step of a shipment's journey holds potential for problems such as misplacement of a shipment or incorrect storage temperature conditions.

We are the first specialty pharma logistics company to have integrated a real-time location monitoring (RTLM) solution as standard into our multi-use packaging systems, creating a new normal for the sector. This proactive measure ensures constant monitoring throughout each phase of a shipment's journey, significantly enhancing customer support and ultimately ensuring that patients receive the medicines they need without logistics becoming a barrier.

The customer advantage: RTLM explained

RTLM provides significant value to our customers by taking in all the data and using it to prevent delays and lost shipments. This comprehensive monitoring allows us to identify and resolve issues before they escalate, ensuring that shipments reach their destinations on time and in optimal condition. As we continue to develop this technology, we aim to use it to avoid temperature excursions in the future, further safeguarding the integrity of sensitive pharmaceutical products.

By providing real-time data, we empower our customers with the assurance that their valuable shipments are being actively monitored and managed, significantly reducing risks and enhancing the reliability of our logistics services.

Increased visibility, and risk mitigation

The RTLM technology we have implemented provides reliable, real-time monitoring data that is vital for effective modern logistics operations. The increased visibility into shipment locations globally has revolutionized how we manage and monitor the shipment of complex and sensitive pharmaceutical products. This advancement in digital technology contributes significantly to the industry by ensuring safe and timely distribution of products. 

Providing access to real time location data to our operations teams, and to our customers, allows for the ability to intervene quickly, helping ensure that shipments — and the critical medicines, vaccines, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) etc. — we are moving get to the right patient, at the right time, and in the right condition. Being able to provide assurance that we know where the shipment is and are already doing everything necessary to get the shipment back on track is a game changer for our customers.

The scope of RTLM

Our RTLM solution has been rolled out across World Courier's global network, spanning more than 50 countries. At any one time we have thousands of shipments in transit, and tens of thousands of tracking devices ready to be deployed.

This solution, while transformational, is simply the first building block in a much richer strategy – putting data insights at the heart of what we do – helping inform critical decisions: proactive alerting, risk reduction and improved efficiency – all with a relentless focus on quality. 

Collaboration and teamwork

World Courier's RTLM solution was developed in collaboration with Controlant. This partnership allowed us to integrate the RTLM solution with our transport and inventory management systems, resulting in a seamless flow of data across all platforms.

Whilst this is a technology solution, we could not have rolled it out if were not for our incredible team. We believe in the power of our workforce and the potential for inspiring change within our organization across multiple countries. This internal teamwork has helped us drive more resilient operations from the ground floor up.

It is through effective technology, collaboration and teamwork that we are able to deliver on our promises and continue making significant strides in creating healthier futures for patients everywhere.

Be the first to hear the results, sign up for our newsletter now. The winners of the awards will be announced on 28 October, 2024. 

Situation

Maria, a resident of São Paulo, Brazil, lives with Fabry disease — a rare genetic disorder demanding a constant supply of specialized medication which is not readily available in her home country. Each day without this vital medication exacerbates her condition, making the timely delivery of internationally sourced medicine not merely a logistical challenge but an integral part of managing her health and improving her quality of life.

Solution

En route, a discrepancy was reported by the airline upon arrival of the shipment at a major international airport. The issue was attributed to cargo handlers at the departure point and threatened to delay Maria's vital medication delivery. RTLM technology had been deployed on Maria’s shipment. This enabled us to verify the shipment’s precise location, confirming that it had in fact reached the international airport as planned. After presenting this information to the airline, the discrepancy was resolved within 20 minutes, a process that would ordinarily taken hours, sometimes days.

Outcome

The necessary paperwork was promptly completed, ensuring the shipment could continue its journey to São Paulo with minimal delay. By leveraging RTLM, we expedited what could have been a far longer resolution process, showcasing the technology’s value as a tool for enhancing operational efficiencies. Faced with a life-altering medical condition that necessitates timely medication, the quick resolution made possible by RTLM was more than a logistical win. The shipment arrived in São Paulo as planned, ensuring Maria’s medication regimen remained uninterrupted.

*Patient’s name changed to protect privacy.