---
title: Five To Save | Comparing Apples And... Tomatoes? | Apr. 30, 2018
description: The second Five To Save for April talks Amazon scaling back their healthcare plans, learning supply chain lessons from tomatoes, and improving data management.
---

[Z5 Inventory's Blog: A dose of the industry news and optimization strategy that healthcare supply chain pros need.](https://www.z5inventory.com/blog)

# [Five To Save | Comparing Apples And... Tomatoes? | Apr. 30, 2018](https://www.z5inventory.com/blog/five-to-save-apr-30-2018)

 Written by [Alex Diamond](https://www.z5inventory.com/blog/author/alex-diamond) | 4/30/2018

Amazon's out! Or are they?

After all the hubbub surrounding Amazon getting into healthcare, we had a bit of a rollercoaster this week with their announcement that they were abandoning their plans to distribute pharmaceuticals. 

1. Here are [the essentials on that Amazon bow-out](https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/supply-chain/amazon-drops-plan-to-become-a-major-pharmaceutical-distributor-7-things-to-know.html).
2. But don't feel too comfortable yet. Your supply chain could have lots to learn. [From... tomatoes?](https://www.forbes.com/sites/paulmartyn/2018/04/04/mid-market-supply-chain-leaders-discovering-low-hanging-tomatoes/#4019986f3c6b)
3. Some of the improvements you might want to consider include [RFID and "smart cabinets."](https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/rfid-smart-cabinets-improve-hospital-supply-chain-management)
4. And it never hurts to [improve your benchmarking](https://valueanalysismag.com/hands-down-the-best-tool-in-healthcare-supply-chaincontinual-benchmarking/). *(Gee, what possible way could there be to get better data on your inventory...)*
5. Have all the changes and pressures in the healthcare industry stressed you out? [You're not the only one](https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/hospitals-health-systems/as-burnout-spreads-healthcare-organizations-scramble-for-answers).

BONUS: Here's some [inventory management advice from Tim Cook](https://www.forbes.com/sites/louismosca/2018/04/19/avoid-wasted-space-with-these-smart-inventory-management-strategies/2/#64dadf7541e0). (Look, we had to sneak Apples in there somewhere...)

 

Did you like what we found? Did you find anything that we missed? PLEASE comment below, [email us](mailto:info@z5health.com), etc. Tell us what you liked. What was helpful. What you’d like to see more of.

 

*Headline photo by Z5.*

[View full post](https://www.z5inventory.com/blog/five-to-save-apr-30-2018)

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