AFRO-NETS> Product Procurement Software: PipeLine

[Dieter Neuvians MD <neuvians@mweb.co.zw>]

Product Procurement Software: PipeLine
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http://www.jsi.com/intl/fplm/Software/Pipeline/pipeline.htm

The 'PipeLine' Monitoring and Procurement Planning system is a soft-
ware tool designed to help program managers regularly monitor the 
status of their product procurement plans. 

PipeLine provides information needed to initiate and follow-up ac-
tions necessary to ensure timely receipt of products and consistent 
stock levels at the program or national level.

Who will benefit from using PipeLine?

Ultimately, the health program's clients benefit from PipeLine be-
cause the ability of the program to provide them the commodities 
needed is improved. By increasing the availability and ease of use of 
essential logistics management information, PipeLine will also bene-
fit:

* Program logistics staff and managers
* Suppliers of commodities
* Purchasers and donors of commodities
* Host-country policy makers

What can PipeLine do for you?

For each product monitored in your program, PipeLine tracks:

* Rate of consumption
  Quantity dispensed to users or sold to clients by the program per
  month, either actual or forecast
* Shipments of new product
  Planned, ordered, shipped, or received quantities and their value,
  either actual or estimated
* Inventory levels
  Total quantity available in the entire program for dispensing or
  sale to clients each month and the minimum and maximum total quan-
  tity desired
* Inventory changes
  Losses, adjustments or transfers out of or into your program that
  change the inventory level.

With these data and an understanding of the lead time required for 
each step in the procurement process, PipeLine can:

* Show what actions you need to take for each shipment, and when 
  these actions should be taken
* Identify impending pipeline problems (e.g., shortfalls, surpluses
  or stockouts) before they occur
* Calculate procurement quantities needed and their estimated costs
  in advance to allow for long lead times
* Calculate and report the actual consumption trend for up to 10
  years to assist in forecasting

You can use this information with program policy makers, product sup-
pliers, and donors to provide a rational basis for planning and moni-
toring future product needs.

What's new in Version 1.4?

The current version of PipeLine includes the following new features:
* Method
Graphs and Stock Status reports are now available by method as well 
as by product. Products may be grouped into any method by the user 
(e.g., all condom products grouped as one method, all malaria pro- 
phylaxis grouped as one category, etc.).

* Consumption Trend Analysis
This feature computes a good-fitting straight line through the actual 
consumption data by month and calculates the quantity on the line 
that corresponds to each month, quarter, and year up to ten years 
from the first year. You can use this report to compare your forecast 
to the trend of actual data or as a starting point for, or analysis 
of, a new forecast.

* Online Help in Three Languages
PipeLine's on-line help is available in English, Spanish, and French. 
Online help includes the PipeLine User's Guide and more.

* Case Sizes
Planned and needed quantities are now rounded up to the nearest case 
size for greater accuracy in procurement planning and ordering. 

Countries where PipeLine is used:
Cote d'Ivoire
Bolivia
Bangladesh
Ghana
Guatemala
Honduras
Jordan
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Morocco 
Nepal
Paraguay
Peru 
Philippines
Senegal 
Tanzania 

What are PipeLine's System Requirements?

Minimum system requirements are:
PC with Windows 3.x or higher
10 megabytes of hard disk space
16 MB RAM
Super VGA monitor (600 x 800) 

PipeLine is a PC database application developed in Microsoft Access. 
However, you do not need Microsoft Access to use PipeLine. Computer 
skills required of users are minimal; only basic Windows or PC mouse 
experience or training is needed. 

Download the latest Version here:
http://www.jsi.com/intl/fplm/Software/Pipeline/index/form/form.html

(You have to register online to receive an E-mail with a password 
that is used to unlock the PipeLine software in order for you to in-
stall it.)

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