Sep 06, 2007This article was originally published by RFID Update.
September 6, 2007—Electronic pedigree solution provider SupplyScape today announced that Kentucky-based generic pharmaceuticals manufacturer and distributor Blu Pharmaceuticals has deployed the company's E-Pedigree software solution. RFID Update spoke with SupplyScape's director of product marketing Brian Daleiden about the deployment and the state of electronic pedigrees generally.
Blu Pharmaceuticals sought an e-pedigree solution for its pharmaceutical products to address three primary shortcomings with its existing paper pedigree process. First, paper pedigrees are far easier to counterfeit than electronic pedigrees, so they did not offer what Blu considered adequate security. Second, paper did not allow Blu to exchange the pedigree information electronically with trading partners that were equipped to receive the information over the internet. Lastly, Blu needed to comply with new electronic pedigree requirements like those in California and Florida.
SupplyScape's Daleiden noted that one key characteristic of the Blu deployment is its use of SupplyScape's web portal feature, which provides Blu customers (e.g., drug wholesalers) with web-based access to pedigree information even if they have not deployed an electronic pedigree solution themselves. "Downstream customers without an e-pedigree solution would have a significant challenge to manage the new electronic pedigree data," explained Daleiden. "But by using the portal, they don't have to acquire their own e-pedigree solution. They have an ability through a browser-based interface to access the information that Blu is basically managing for them."
Daleiden stressed that this benefits not only Blu customers, but Blu itself as well. It makes Blu more attractive to its customers because the company is essentially offering them an e-pedigree solution. "They can provide customers a solution that removes the need for those customers to deploy their own e-pedigree solution," commented Daleiden. "That can be a significant competitive differentiator for Blu."
Currently, the Blu deployment uses only bar codes, no RFID. When asked if there is a transition plan to graduate from bar codes to RFID, Blu's director of sales and marketing Debbie McCullum answered, "Not at this time." Despite the undeniable potential for RFID as an enabler of electronic pedigrees, Daleiden noted that e-pedigrees today are predominantly implemented using bar code technology.
SupplyScape is a leading name in electronic pedigrees. It has 65 customers and just today announced a Series C round of funding to the tune of $10 million in which all previous investors participated.
