The EKK plus “LiMiS” supplier management and information system
Based on the “SC-Manager” software solution from software provider Simmeth System GmbH, EKK plus has created a central platform with the “LiMiS” supplier management and information system, which efficiently combines supplier management, knowledge management, member and supplier communication in an app-based portal solution.
The EKK plus “LiMiS” (supplier management and information system)
EKK plus as a subsidiary of GDEKK GmbH is one of the largest and most successful purchasing groups in the German healthcare sector after more than 25 years on the market: with an annual brokered turnover of over 1.2 billion euros and specializing in clinics under public ownership. The organization currently has 56 members throughout Germany with over 230 affiliated clinics and facilities. Within its various competence centers (medical, pharmaceutical, medical technology, laboratory diagnostics, digitalization, further education and training) and with an in-house department for EU-wide tenders and award procedures, EKK plus has created a wide range of specialized and highly qualified services for its members in the dynamically changing market conditions in the healthcare sector.
Based on the software solution “SC-Manager” software solution from the software provider Simmeth System GmbH, EKK plus has created a central platform with the “LiMiS” supplier management and information system, which supplier managementknowledge management, member and supplier supplier communication efficiently combined in an app-based portal solution.
The “LiMiS” project: more than just supplier management
The “LiMiS” project, originally at EKK plus with the technical focus on supplier evaluation and risk assessment (LkSG), has developed into a central information and communication platform for the healthcare facilities affiliated with EKK plus and for EKK plus itself, the benefits of which are of great importance in many operational areas. The main users of the system are, in particular, the hospital purchasing department and the pharmaceuticals department or the pharmacies of the affiliated facilities. Suppliers also have access to parts of the system via a separate supplier portal .
Leska Kirchberg, the responsible project manager at EKK plus, confirms: “LiMiS has now developed into a comprehensive information and communication platform for our clinics, suppliers and our internal organization and forms a key pillar of our customer IT system landscape.”
The central supplier, information and knowledge management offers numerous added values for the members of the purchasing community
With “LiMiS”, EKK plus has a central database in which all relevant information, e.g. on contracts, condition and purchase agreements, certificates, tender results, evaluations, sustainability information and supplier risk management , is managed and monitored. The members of EKK plus have access to all relevant information at all times and can obtain a quick overview of changes and news.
All information is stored in a central supplier file with a clear register structure. In addition to the tabs, users also have access to traffic light systems and dashboards for graphical visualization of the data.
A special feature: Specialist knowledge of employees from the purchasing departments of the clinics in the various product groups can be called up via the system with the respective contact information for direct personal networking. Participants in the EKK plus expert groups can also use the system to exchange data.
Further advantages of the system are the extensive knowledge database of the clinical pharmacy and AMTS division as well as the seminar and conference portal, which provides members with information on the numerous EKK plus events and online registration options. A workflow wizard guides them through the process step by step. Registrations can be viewed at any time and subsequently edited or canceled.
Risk and compliance management with a 360-degree view
LiMiS not only manages the data of the approximately 500 contractual partners of EKK plus, but also, in the context of the LkSG, the risk analysis results of the currently around 5,500 in-house suppliers of the affiliated healthcare facilities, which are mapped in the system in a specially developed LkSG database.
Another strength of “LiMiS” is its integrated risk and compliance management. It combines internal assessments, risk and sustainability information from EKK plus with external data. In the context of the German Supply Chain Sustainability Act (LkSG) , for example, the general country and industry-specific risk assessments of the sustainability service provider EcoVadis. An automatic interface integrates this external information into the supplier management risk & compliance scorecard and supplements it with its own evaluation logic, enabling a comprehensive view.
A gradual risk escalation follows based on this basic data. If a supplier’s sustainability score falls below a critical threshold, EKK plus risk management becomes active, validates the result and gradually initiates further measures. In this case, the supplier is contacted directly and asked for a statement via a prepared workflow in the supplier portal. The entire process and its status is visualized transparently using a traffic light system.
Efficient cooperation with suppliers
LiMiS also has advantages for suppliers. Suppliers are invited by EKK plus at the click of a mouse, log in, confirm data or upload required documents, such as certificates. To make it easier for suppliers to distribute tasks internally, up to five users per supplier can be registered in the portal. In addition, e-mail communication (EKK plus to suppliers) is centralized via the supplier portal is possible.
“LiMiS”: a dynamic process
EKK plus does not view its systems and the processes they support as a static state, but rather as a dynamic process. Together with the consultants from Simmeth System, new suggestions from EKK plus are continuously analyzed in the interests of the users and integrated into LiMiS.
Currently, for example, the technical system optimization of the supplier evaluation EKK plus to further increase efficiency and transparency. The tendering application is being supplemented with additional functions.
With “LiMiS”, EKK plus has established a central platform that enables a new level of collaboration for purchasing, clinics and suppliers. The system not only creates transparency, but also simplifies and automates numerous processes, resulting in considerable added value for everyone involved!