constellia | Procurement, empowered
innovative technology case study
“Rapid Onboarding of SMEs Revolutionises Medical Inventory”
“Despite the nature of the project, the complexities of digital procurement and being the first tender run through NVFi, Commercial X quickly grasped the requirements and worked at pace to deliver a contract that provides good value to the MOD.“
Surg Cdr James SAFFIN FRCA – Consultant Anaesthetist
jHub Med
CHALLENGE
• The Defence Medical Services (DMS) team urgently needed to digitise and automate inventory management, to overcome inefficiencies and operational risks.
• Manual processes led to misplaced or excess medical items, reducing accuracy and increasing wastage.
• Inventory details were recorded on paper and transcribed into spreadsheets, introducing delays and errors.
• The overall process was time-consuming, burdened by duplication and administrative overhead. This slowed down progress and limited the team’s ability to respond quickly and operate with agility.
• By leveraging edge computing, the solution will enable real-time tracking, faster reordering, reduced wastage and accurate stock transfers.
APPROACH
• Used NVFi to tap into a growing network of innovative SMEs, ensuring access to niche expertise and fresh ideas.
Early Engagement and Collaboration:
• Suppliers were engaged early through demonstrations and presentations, fostering strong relationships and alignment with project goals.
Streamlined Procurement:
• A flexible process with fewer notice requirements and compliance under Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) made onboarding faster and simpler.
Dedicated Support:
• Constellia, acting as the neutral vendor, provided ongoing support throughout, helping maintain pace and compliance.
OUTCOMES
• NVFi opened doors to niche expertise and cutting-edge solutions that traditional routes might have missed.
Efficient Process:
• Compared to other routes, NVFi delivered faster onboarding and reduced complexity.
• The entire procurement journey took four months – extended slightly by internal delays – but speed was never the primary goal.
Delivering Strategic Defence Review (SDR) and Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS):
• Contract awarded to Kiniot Ltd, a UK SME based in Northern Ireland. This is an example of how the government is backing British businesses and increasing MOD spending with SMEs.
Find Out More
Talk to us today to discover how we can help you with your innovative technology projects via nvfi-support@constellia.com or call 0330 320 8020.
