Challenges: How to Manage Discount Submission, Approvals, Procurement, and Distribution More Efficiently?
PT Anugerah Pharmindo Lestari (APL) is one of the largest pharmaceutical distribution companies in Indonesia that manages a lot of healthcare product discount programs, distribution, and product supply. As operations became more complex, APL needed a digital solution that could streamline processes, accelerate decision-making, and increase transparency and accountability in procurement. APL initiated the development of three digital platforms to address this issue, namely iDiscount, iPesta, and iJKN. Available on both web and mobile, these platforms were designed to manage submission, approval, monitoring, procurement, and distribution processes effectively while integrating seamlessly with the SAP system.
Before the new digital platforms were rolled out, APL faced numerous challenges in managing its business operations. The discount submission and approval process still involved several parties with complex workflows and approval hierarchies. In addition, visibility into the status of ongoing requests was limited, making it more challenging to monitor and coordinate. On the procurement side, it was difficult to track the process from receiving the order to delivering the product. Moreover, stakeholders had limited access to approval workflows when they were away from the office, causing delays in decision-making. Without an integrated system, these processes could be less efficient, more difficult to audit, and negatively impact the speed of service to principals, customers, and healthcare facilities.
Through the development of iDiscount, iPesta, and iJKN, APL aimed to improve the efficiency of product discount submission and approval, request approval, procurement, and distribution of healthcare products. These three platforms were developed to streamline processes, reduce the risk of administrative errors, and provide real-time monitoring. The platforms were planned to be accessed via a website and a mobile app, allowing business processes to run smoothly. Integration into the SAP system also ensured data consistency and accuracy across all processes.
Solutions: Centralizing Submission, Approval, Procurement, and Distribution through Integrated Digital Platforms
Suitmedia addressed these challenges by developing three integrated digital platforms tailored to APL's distinct business processes:
- iDiscount
Suitmedia developed iDiscount, a digital platform that integrates submission, approval, monitoring, and reporting into one user-friendly ecosystem. The approach focused on digitizing a flexible workflow approval that could accommodate the diverse business needs and organizational structures of each principal. The system was also made to integrate with SAP, ensuring data synchronization and reducing manual processes.
Key features include an interactive dashboard that provides an overview of discount requests and approval status, a discount request module that allows users to create proposals based on principals (also known as clients), and real-time notifications to keep all stakeholders informed. To sum up, iDiscount enabled APL and principals to manage the discount process with efficiency and improved standards. - iPesta
To centralize healthcare product requests, approvals, ERP integration, and distribution tracking, Suitmedia built iPesta. Our strategy involved streamlining complex workflows while ensuring all stakeholders could monitor request status in real-time conditions. Two digital platforms were launched: a website for daily operations and a mobile application for the approval process.
Similar to iDiscount, iPesta came with an interactive dashboard, a request module, multi-level approval workflows, and real-time notifications. Additionally, iPesta had end-to-end tracking and monitoring capabilities, allowing users to track deliveries from Purchase Requisition (PR), Purchase Order (PO), Stock Transfer Order (STO), Delivery Order (DO), Shipment, to Goods Receipt (GR). By centralizing the entire process within a single platform, iPesta improved transparency, accelerated decision-making, and optimized team coordination. - iJKN
Modernizing procurement and distribution operations was also critical, so Suitmedia developed iJKN, a centralized digital platform that linked procurement workflows within a single ecosystem. The solution improved efficiency, transparency, and coordination among stakeholders by digitizing manual processes, automating data management, and seamlessly integrating with SAP.
iJKN offered real-time visibility into procurement and distribution activities as it was designed to accommodate various procurement processes, including government systems and direct purchase orders. End-to-end monitoring, automated notifications, and an audit trail are the key features that helped APL strengthen transparency and accountability throughout the procurement process, supporting efficient and reliable distribution of healthcare products.
Result: Achieving Efficiency and Scalability Across Business Operations
iDiscount, iPesta, and iJKN successfully transformed APL’s business operations by digitizing and integrating workflows across discount management, product requests, procurement, and distribution. The platforms enabled transparent, configurable approval processes, improved visibility and compliance throughout the product request lifecycle, and centralized procurement and distribution activities within a unified ecosystem. With seamless SAP integration, APL also enabled efficient, scalable operations to support cross-functional collaboration.
