Which individual is cited as being instrumental in defining the scope of modern supply chain thinking that preceded serialization?
Answer
Keith Oliver
The intellectual foundation that allowed for the concept of unit-level serialization to emerge was built upon earlier developments in supply chain management. Keith Oliver is specifically noted as an instrumental figure in defining the scope and thinking surrounding modern supply chain concepts. While Oliver did not invent the technical act of assigning unique numbers, his work provided the conceptual framework that highlighted the necessity for robust tracking mechanisms, particularly for high-stakes goods. This conceptual space, combined with technological advances like machine-readable identification, created the environment where serialization could later be conceived and subsequently mandated by legislation.

Related Questions
Which act established the clear timeline for phasing in unit-level tracking for the US drug supply chain?What mechanism electronically links serialized units, like individual blister packs, to their next level of packaging, such as an outer carton?What fundamental requirement distinguishes modern supply chain serialization from earlier tracking methods like batch or case tracking?Which individual is cited as being instrumental in defining the scope of modern supply chain thinking that preceded serialization?What key characteristic ensures that a manufacturer's serialized data can communicate successfully with a wholesaler's system, regardless of software vendor?What is the typical 2D barcode format utilized to encode the serialized National Drug Code and associated data on individual pharmaceutical containers?Beyond mitigating counterfeit risk, what long-term operational benefit does precise unit serialization enable for managing product recalls?What crucial element must be present on a pharmaceutical unit alongside the unique serialized NDC for regulatory tracking purposes?What operational constraint necessitates significant scaling of IT infrastructure when moving to high-volume unit verification?Which global regulatory framework, implemented in regions like the European Union, required track-and-trace based on unique product identifiers?