ERP-Based Supply Chain Process Optimization for Saudi Arabia’s Healthcare and Medical Supply Sector under Vision 2030
Abstract
The health sector's programme for transformation in Saudi Arabia needs a medical supplies system which can provide the correct product, in the right condition, at the right place, together with reliable information concerning cost and traceability. This study looks at enterprise resource planning as the core element for improving procurement, inventory management, warehousing, distribution, supplier management, and financial control within the Kingdom's healthcare and medical supplies sector. A structured integrative review of 30 sources published between 2020 and 2025 was carried out, with a focus on peer-reviewed literature relating to healthcare supply chains, ERP systems, digital transformation, resilience, analytics, and the Saudi health system, as well as on official Vision 2030 and Ministry of Health documents. The findings show that the value of ERP is mainly derived not from the installation of software but from standardised master data, end-to-end workflows, interoperable interfaces, well-disciplined inventory policies, and timely analytics. It also appears that artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, blockchain, and business analytics generate greater operational value when they are linked to a stable ERP system rather than when they are introduced as separate applications. For Saudi Arabia, the most important fields for improvement are integrated demand planning, visibility into supplier performance, control of batches and expiry dates, automated replenishment, readiness for recalls, and transparency of spending across both central and provider-level networks. The review suggests a framework for optimisation that is aligned with Vision 2030 and links ERP capabilities to process mechanisms, measurable supply outcomes, and the objectives of the healthcare system. It concludes that a transformation centred on ERP can improve availability, spending efficiency, resilience, localisation, and governance, provided that the implementation is supported by data governance, interoperability standards, workforce development, cybersecurity, and continuous performance management.