Solutions should not be more complicated than the problems they are trying to solve!

Bohemia, NY (April 10, 2002) – Premier, Inc., a strategic alliance representing more than 1,600 hospitals and health care providers, recently selected TransportGistics, Inc., as a business partner to offer a full range of freight management services and hospital logistics through Premier’s Group Buy program. For many of Premier’s members, the TransportGistics service could be their first opportunity to apply simple, incremental solutions for transportation management and logistics functions.

Within the scope of the agreement, TransportGistics is providing products and services to incrementally reduce their transportation expenditures and improve their logistics processes.

"For Premier members, this will provide a major advantage in controlling all costs associated with inbound and outbound transportation functions,” said Alan Miller President of TransportGistics. “Our approach will enable them to unbundle the costs of transportation, identify areas of inefficiency, and attack each inefficiency one at a time.”

It is expected that implementation will significantly reduce transportation costs, dramatically improve information processing and provide assurance that only the correct freight charges will be paid.

For Premier members to better manage their logistics, TransportGistics professionals will perform a needs assessment, including sourcing, negotiating, procuring and executing daily transportation requirements using its broad access to specific technology applications to provide Premier members with significant reductions in their transportation expenditures. In addition, TransportGistics will trace and track shipments, create and host an online routing guide, and file and manage transportation claims. “All of our customers see a significant reduction of their transportation expenses and labor associated with transportation management,” explained Miller.

“Logistics is a critical element of the supply chain that can’t be overlooked,” said Larry Abramson, senior vice president, Premier’s Supply Chain Solutions division. “TransportGistics will offer our members another option to help them effectively reduce costs and improve the processes inherent transportation.  Premier will continue to identify, evaluate, and develop product and service offerings that deliver total supply chain solutions for members.”

Premier, Inc., is a strategic alliance in U.S. healthcare, entirely owned by more than 200 of the nation's leading hospital and healthcare systems. These systems operate or are affiliated with nearly 1,600 hospital facilities in 50 states and hundreds of other care sites. Premier provides an array of   resources supporting health services delivery. Among these resources are comprehensive supply chain management services, including group purchasing for more than $14 billion annually in supplies and equipment. Other resources offered by Premier are insurance programs, performance improvement services including healthcare informatics, clinical technology services, and physician practice management services. For more information, visit www.premierinc.com.