Blacksmith Applications Announces Upcoming Smoke Jumpers GPO Meeting

San Francisco, CA -- In January, 2012, the Smoke Jumpers industry expert group will kick off the year with a meeting focused on GPOs.  Defining the GPO, establishing guidelines and implementing change will be among the goals of this team over the course of a two day meeting.  Key questions will be debated including but not limited to:  What is the true contribution of a GPO - concept versus reality?  How is membership determined?  What is the realized purchasing influence?  What are the disciplines of engagement that organizations should establish?

While explosive growth is clear, the GPO landscape has become blurred and increasingly complex illuminated by some, yet not nearly a comprehensive listing, of noteworthy facts:

On-going regulatory concern

Vertical market GPOs that dominate Healthcare and Foodservice

Mergers of already strong and sizable groups

Origins in advocacy, now a commanding presence of procurement 

Medical/Surgical to lab services to food 

Foodbuy to a growing list of more than 50

Among debatable topics:

Reaching difficult segments and driving regional distribution or double dipping

Extending healthcare contracts into other segments

Multiple memberships

Bundling requirements that drive unwanted purchases

Sole sourcing impeding competition and innovation 

Continued legislative reform to bring order to activities

The topic of Group Purchasing Organizations has been and continues to be one of hottest topics requiring focused attention, with foodservice being only one of the several interested constituent parties.