A medical device production and supply information management system synchronous
with manufacturing, planning and scheduling, product consumption forecast, and
component purchase to enable just-in-time inventory control at the manufacturing
facility, vendor stocks, material/product tracking, distribution and shipping management
to thereby reduce inventory at all points in the product manufacturing, distribution/delivery
chain. The system is implemented using a preferably Web enabled information network
and data communications with a programmer. The programmer provides access to product
information, specification and related data for implanted medical devices from
which build-to-order and build-to-replenish commands are issued to the manufacturing
center. The system is interactive within the consumption management system that
is integrally and seamlessly connected with patients, hospitals, sales offices
and related information hubs including manufacturing facilities. The invention
enables management of inventory levels of medical devices through the interactive
information management system by accurately accounting for inventory stored in
sales offices, distributors and sales representatives, as well as implanting institutions
to ensure that all centers have appropriate and adequate stock that is replaced
on just-in-time basis under the build-to-replenish scheme.
