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How can you be a realist and an innovator? See how TECSYS is able to occupy this unique space within the supply chain management industry.
“We’re realists; we’re also innovators.”
Peter Brereton, President and CEO of TECSYS Inc. shared this sentiment at the end of our conversation about his company, its supply chain management technology, and commitment to stellar customer service. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how true this statement was.
- Peter Brereton, President and CEO of TECSYS Inc.
TECSYS builds innovative supply chain management solutions that help distribution companies streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve customer service. The Java platform is a modern, cutting edge design that can be deployed either through the cloud or on the premise. Companies like Canon, Honda, Humana, and many others manage their complex supply chains—and move their goods efficiently through the supply chain—with the help of TECSYS.
The realist side of the company is very focused on SCM, providing effective applications for a range of users from healthcare to 3PL to the wine and liquor market to the Department of Agriculture and the City of New York.
Each industry has a different requirement for SCM—whether handling distribution for other players like 3PL, or managing closed-loop supply chain like government organizations—and that’s where TECSYS’s innovation comes into play.
“Innovation keeps us ahead of the crowd,” said Brereton. “We’re the only company using imaging to direct warehouse workers. We’re managing supply chains in the operating rooms that don’t interfere with physician’s work. We anticipate where the puck is going to be, and design our technology around that.”
For example, TECSYS has applications now that are developed to run in a warehouse that can’t be rolled out yet—because the batteries in the worker’s RFDs don’t have the power for strong enough CPUs and the electronics on the devices to run the apps. But because the company is confident that batteries of this capability will be available in the next few years, TECSYS has already developed the technology.
It was a similar situation when the company chose to integrate cloud technology—12 years ago, before the cloud was being used by, well, anyone. But the reason for adapting to this technology early was simple: TECSYS knew its clients would be using the technology someday, and the company wanted to be ready to help them adapt when the time came.
This doesn’t just speak to TECSYS’s commitment to innovation, but to the company’s astute attention to its clients. TECSYS upholds a “Customers for Life” philosophy that is supported by its long-term roadmap approach. The company’s experiments in new technologies today lay the foundation for client success in the future.
“Our customer care group manages it all—incoming requests, speed, staffing up if need be. It’s a company-wide mentality supporting the customer comes first. We run a critical part of many people’s business. We don’t take that lightly.”



The company doesn’t take its position in the industry lightly either. As a technological leader, TECSYS is aware of the many challenges complex supply chains—and their managers—face.
The front end of supply chains has changed rapidly in the last decade with an increase in ways to order products: in-store pickup, online, customized, to name a few. Distributors who used to send in bulk to stores now are responsible for shipping single items, giftwrapping, managing warranties, and other practices that were not common in the 20th century.
On the back end, there are now hundreds of new manufacturers because of crowdfunding, introducing new, smaller companies every year.
TECSYS’s single platform has the solutions for these challenges, no matter the industry or stop in the supply chain.
“The core underlining supply chain engine tracks everything in a very efficient manner and runs through the backbone of our product no matter the industry. But the front end, where the actual users are, sets our application apart. It’s a persona-based app based on job, so truck drivers have a different interface from a worker in a warehouse or a nurse in a hospital.”
The healthcare industry in particular has a number of unique challenges, including rigorous regulatory compliance laws and a complex final consumption environment. Products have to be tracked and traced, with tighter traceability regulations on drugs of a certain class and implants like pacemakers and the like. Certain drugs too have to be shipped at a very specific temperature range.
At the front end, the supply chain often doesn’t even end until the product is physically inside the patient, so there are many more nodes to manage. Inside the hospital, some products are so cheap—like bandages—that they are not worth making sure a nurse records when they use that product.
“The challenge there is how do you know when to replenish the end points of the supply chain?”
To overcome this hurdle, TECSYS acquired Logi-D, which produces point-of-use supply chain automation technology for hospitals.



“This tech allows clinicians to grab products off a shelf without keeping track. When the shelf gets down to a certain level it will trigger a sensor that automatically orders more product.”
It allows the management of supplies to shift to an automated system, meaning nurses can spend more time with their patients.
Logi-D is also responsible for some incredible but simple technology in operating rooms. When the box or bag containing a more expensive product—like a pacemaker—is opened and thrown away, the high-tech trashcan will flash blue to let the nurse know that he or she is good to go—the patient has been charged and the item has been removed from the hospital’s inventory. On the flip side, if the product has been recalled or has expired, the trashcan will flash red.
With the acquisition of Logi-D, expanded healthcare offerings, and growth in its other markets, 2015 was a year of investment for TECSYS. To complement last year’s strategy, 2016 is a year of consolidation to let the company catch up to the investment.
“Our sales volume continues to rise, and we’re adding staff to the consulting and service side of the business. We’re also launching a module for in-hospital pharmacy management over the summer, and incorporating a lot of technology from the broader pharmacy market.”
Innovator and realist are not two terms that can usually apply to the same person or company. But with TECSYS—and the company’s practical approach to supply chain management of today and commitment to uncovering the technology of the future—the description not only works, but summarizes the company just about perfectly.
About:
TECSYS builds innovative supply chain management solutions that help distribution companies streamline operations, reduce costs and improve customer service. TECSYS is the recognized leader in the health care market, and our warehouse management software is the leading industry analysts' choice as one of the top visionary products on the market.
Address
1 Place Alexis Nihon, Suite 800
Montreal, QC H3Z 3B8
Phone - 800-922-8649
Website - www.tecsys.com