TraceLink
A Multi-Enterprise Supply Chain Network for Logistics

Henry Ames, General Manager, Logistics Orchestration

Fostering Resilient Connections across Global Pharma Supply Chain

TraceLink, an end-to-end intelligent supply chain platform for life sciences and healthcare, is redefining the pharma supply chain with its comprehensive, multi-enterprise supply chain commerce network. This network of 300,000 life sciences and healthcare entities coupled with its Opus platform is particularly valuable for modern third-party logistics (3PL) use cases, addressing the complexities of logistics and transportation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Empowering 3PL Providers Through Digitalization

Pioneering the digitalization of the global life sciences supply chain, TraceLink enables 3PL providers to meet the evolving needs of drug manufacturers including the expansion of high-value services and superior supply chain visibility.

Drawing on its expertise in track-and-trace and serialization technologies, TraceLink has evolved into a global engine for end-to-end supply chain orchestration. This transformation leverages collective intelligence from a network that spans the entire supply chain spectrum, across the global pharma supply chain, from the largest drug manufacturers to the smallest dispensers.

“We are strategically positioned to support 3PL service providers in growing their customer base through affordable enterprise system integration while enabling visibility across an expanding list of high-value service offerings,” says Henry Ames, General Manager, Logistics Orchestration.

Meeting the Needs of a Growing Biopharma Market

The global healthcare logistics market is projected to grow from $130 billion in 2023 to $152 billion in 2026 – representing ~17% projected growth. This unique market requires highly specialized solutions that are compliant with global regulatory and standards-based guidance. Growing services offered by 3PLs include supply network design, warehouse fulfillment, contract logistics, logistics control tower, and order-to-cash processes to name just a few.
TraceLink’s network-based approach enables 3PL companies to address these challenges. The platform improves order fulfillment, data, and inventory management, fostering end-to-end visibility that helps users identify and resolve supply chain issues. Supporting the workflows associated with these additional services represents a natural extension of the proven success of TraceLink’s multi-enterprise network capabilities.

Enhancing Supply Chain Efficiency with Data Analytics

TraceLink’s platform offers drug manufacturers and their 3PL partners real-time inventory visibility regardless of the complexity of the network design. Furthermore, TraceLink’s network provides timely data for planning, replenishment, and order fulfillment, significantly improving order-to-cash cycles and cash flow for 3PL companies and their customers. The Integrate Once, Interoperate with Everyone™ capability allows 3PL providers to seamlessly connect with all supply chain partners, enhancing overall efficiency and customer satisfaction while reducing the time and cost associated with point-to-point integrations. Onboarding a new customer, expanding services in new geographies, supporting a new product launch, or even leveraging 4PL outsourced services is seamlessly supported.

Regardless of file format, TraceLink normalizes the data, enabling clients to connect with them on the network and exchange data regardless of the data format. This functionality has saved customers over $4.4 billion in integration costs compared to traditional point-to-point integrations. The Network Success Team further strengthens these connections by maintaining long-term partner relationships at no additional cost.

In one instance, a drug manufacturer working with a 3PL to ship directly to a large hospital network faced issues with the untimely flow of shipment data. This prevented hospitals from taking advantage of discounts offered for early payments. The problem was further compounded causing additional costs in the form of late payment fees. Integration with TraceLink resulted in significant cost savings through a continuous and uninterrupted flow of data, ensuring timely delivery and reducing operational inefficiencies.

Strategic Planning and Future Innovations

TraceLink’s digital network platform is built on the foundation of EU FMD, and other track-and-trace laws, empowering clients and ensuring regulatory compliance. Platform customers can extract value from their investments in serialization and track and trace in order to illuminate the gaps in their supply chain through an expanded set of transactions across all trade partners in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner.

Conclusion

TraceLink has long been a testament to a connection revolution across the complex pharma supply chain, contributing to a healthier, safer world. Its multi-enterprise supply chain network is a crucial asset for 3PL providers and their customers, driving innovation, supply chain visibility, improving service levels, and ensuring the resilience of the global pharmaceutical supply chain.