2017 ICT4D Conference

In this session we will demonstrate a newly developed emergency response supply chain management system that is cloud-based, offline compatiable, and allows staff to manage and track commodity movement from Procurement through beneficiary receipt in a timely manner and provide the documentation needed for (1) CRS and donor reporting/compliance, (2) beneficiary accountability, and (3) quality monitoring/project management. 

Supply chain management (SCM) in emergency contexts varies greatly between countries. However, in general Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Country Programs rely on a variety of different systems/processes – piecing together the various steps along the chain. For example, CRS has their own processes for purchasing (requisitions, purchase orders, payment documents, receipt of goods, etc.), warehousing and transport documents (inventory, waybills, warehouse ledgers) and beneficiary data (registration list, distribution records, post distribution monitoring). All of these documents must be pieced together for reconciliation – which is not ideal and very time consuming. 

In thiis project, Purdue and CRS co-design and co-create the system by simplifying the operations and redesinging the workflow to provide the frontline users the right informaiton in the right amount at the right place at the right time.  The potnetial outcomes and benefits include fraud detection, transparency, accountability, error reduction, easy tracking and reporting, and timely/informative decision making.

The opportunities: This system may be used in emergencies (natural disasters, civil unrest), but should also be transferable to expansion for use for other SCM needs within a country program, as appropriate.