With reference to a question raised in a different thread (http://scn.sap.com/message/15244255#15244255), I'd like your opinion on what direction you see the Pharma Industry heading into with respect to the supply chain integration of serialised products. In the relationship with vendors, CMO's & customers, I see 2 approaches, currently co-existing next to each other: One direction is to merge the serialisation data into an existing ASN message & to 'rip out' the serialisation data into an EPCIS compliant repository on the receiving end, the other direction being to segregate the two data flows, keeping the current ASN message intact but supplementing it with an EPCIS Event message (I leave EPCIS Query capability out of the picture for now). Both messages will then follow their own processing logic.
On top of this and as a parallel discussion, with respect to a decentralised distribution model (through 3PLs, serving the internal / end-customers), how would you see the trend for integrating the data flow between the 3PL and the selling entity: would you see a movement towards integrating the serialisation data into existing SHIPCON messages or do you rather expect that SHIPCON & EPCIS messages would be used to complement each other? Anyone considering using PML messages from the 3PL to route these through AII & populate OER that way?
Thanks for your feedback.