Malvern, PA March 19, 2002 Premier, a healthcare group purchasing alliance, is set to use a supply chain solution from Verticalnet to support contract-price activation and manage contract sourcing and administrative processes.
The license agreement covers the full suite of Verticalnet applications, including strategic sourcing and collaborative planning, according to the solution provider.
Verticalnet said its software will help Premier facilitate online contract management for the alliance's nearly 1,600 members and other supply partners to shorten the time and administrative effort required to negotiate and activate group purchasing contracts.
Premier, which is owned by more than 200 of the nation's hospitals and healthcare systems, will roll out Verticalnet functionality to its member organizations.
Premier's goals in the implementation include achieving greater savings through purchasing, quickening supplier and hospital adoption, and reducing administrative support costs.
"Creating a seamless contract management program is a strategic initiative for Premier," said Howard Sanders, senior vice president in Premier's group purchasing services. "This initiative calls for an environment to give members access to accurate and timely contract, product and price information. Automated contract management processes provide Premier, its members and partners the full benefits of group purchasing."
Premier provides group purchasing of more than $14 billion annually in supplies and equipment for its members. Premier is headquartered in San Diego.
