On the Tech Transforms podcast, sponsored by Dynatrace, we talk to some of the most prominent influencers shaping critical government technology decisions.
The global supply chain took a major hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. While it has since returned to a relatively normal state, the need for supply chain modernization has emerged.
Dr. Aaron Drew, the Technical Director for the Supply Chain Management Product Line at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Information and Technology, is actively advancing supply chain modernization efforts within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). His goal: to better prepare the agency for today, tomorrow, and the future.
Episode 64 of the Tech Transforms podcast is all about the challenges of supply chain management. I sat down with Dr. Drew to discuss modernization within an agency as large as the VA, which is now the second-largest federal agency after the Department of Defense. Dr. Drew touches on the pertinence of supply chain modernization and the challenges of navigating technology procurement. He also underscores the importance of visibility when it comes to implementing government-mandated security requirements, such as the National Cybersecurity Strategy.
Why supply chain modernization is critical
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Drew explains the ongoing VA supply chain modernization efforts, particularly implementing lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on both healthcare and the broader supply chain. He emphasizes the need for new tools that are both developed and implemented with the end user’s problems and day-to-day use at the forefront.
“What makes it easier is if you know what problem you’re trying to solve,” Dr. Drew said. “The problem came from the people. I visited some VA medical centers; I went to the cemeteries; I was over at fulfillment centers; I was riding in the VA vans. I understand, and I lived with the problem.”
During our chat, Dr. Drew outlined the steps an organization can take to modernize and maximize applications for end users. He also suggested ways to capitalize on data analytics to better prepare our nation for times of need. Dive into the full episode to hear his insights.
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This episode of Tech Transforms explores challenges and provides advice for supply chain management and modernization. |
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