Blue Yonder is the Remedy for a Healthier Supply Chain
Customer Company Size
Large Corporate
Region
- Europe
Country
- Switzerland
- Germany
Product
- Blue Yonder’s Luminate™ Planning
- Blue Yonder’s Luminate™ Logistics
Tech Stack
- Supply Chain Management Software
- Forecasting Methodologies
Implementation Scale
- Enterprise-wide Deployment
Impact Metrics
- Cost Savings
- Customer Satisfaction
- Productivity Improvements
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms
Applicable Industries
- Pharmaceuticals
- Healthcare & Hospitals
Applicable Functions
- Logistics & Transportation
- Procurement
Use Cases
- Supply Chain Visibility
- Predictive Replenishment
- Demand Planning & Forecasting
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
About The Customer
Merck Serono International S.A., based in Geneva, is a division of parent company Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany. It is a global leader in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, committed to bringing therapeutic innovations to patients. The company's success is characterized by progressive therapies and treatments with pharmaceuticals and application-oriented research and development. As an industry leader in biotechnology, Merck Serono is focused on developing specific treatments that provide beneficial therapeutic outcomes in the areas of oncology, neuro-degenerative diseases, fertility, endocrinology and cardio-metabolic care, as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
The Challenge
Merck Serono International S.A., a global pharmaceutical and biotechnology leader, faced the challenge of integrating two very different supply chains for traditional pharmaceuticals and biotechnology-based pharmaceuticals. The traditional pharmaceutical supply chain was locally driven with a pull concept, while the biotechnology supply chain was centrally managed with a push concept. During the integration, the company also had to ensure high customer-service levels that aligned with its 'no stock-out' philosophy. Additionally, Merck Serono wanted to constrain distribution with planned production orders, taking into account capacity constraints and the availability of the products' main components. To optimize business practices, the company needed improved forecasting accuracy and manufacturing planning support to drive efficiency and limit inventories to increase cash flow.
The Solution
Merck Serono decided to create one centrally managed supply chain, based on the push principle and driven by Blue Yonder’s Luminate™ Planning and Luminate™ Logistics capabilities. These solutions provided leading-edge forecasting and replenishment capabilities to effectively manage its entire supply chain. The company successfully transformed its supply chain operations and synchronized consumer demand across every channel. Blue Yonder’s forecasting capabilities enabled Merck Serono to leverage forecasting methodologies across the enterprise, improving their response to shifts in demand, minimizing inventory carrying costs, and maximizing sales. The flexible hierarchies and tracking features of supply planning helped Merck Serono to synchronize its demand chains. Now, the company can efficiently manage production across multiple sites to accurately respond to fluctuating demand. Materials and products can efficiently flow throughout the supply chain network and can be optimally produced at the best facility.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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