McKesson Canada  has set up a cross-functional team to design a new returns process that will help improve system flexibility, efficiency and accuracy for its users. The just-completed scoping and definition stages will be followed by an analysis and development phase.

"The McKesson Canada Returns Process (MRP) is outdated," revealed Sylvie Laval, Director of Promotions, who leads the 12-person cross-functional team made up of McKesson Canada users from Sales, Logistics, Finance, Returns, Customer service, Manufacturer relations and Six Sigma.

"All users -those in our distribution centres, our customers (retail and hospital pharmacies) and our vendors- will have the benefit of one harmonized returns system," Laval said. The new system will run on the McKesson Canada AS/400 operating platform.

"The file maintenance of the new returns system will be centralized at the St. Laurent Service Center and the process will be as automated as possible to ensure compliance and integrity in order to give customers a consistent usage across the country."
The goal: to have a pilot project in the Quebec City DeCelles Distribution Centre in place by February 2002.