Introduction

The network input screen displays in a visual form how study drug flows through the distribution network. The network is shown as a tree with nodes for each depot, region, and site group and branches for each possible path the IMP can take between nodes.

The network tree is shown in collapsed status by default. Users can expand it using the Expand All button or by clicking on individual ‘nodes’ so that the children of that particular node are displayed. A collapsed node is represented with by a filled circle, while an expanded node is represented by an empty circle.

There are also two tables representing the network below the tree, these tables can be filtered and formatted as with any other table.

Note: A specification may define more than one ‘root node’ i.e., a release location for a dispensing unit. When a specification includes more than one root node an additional selector will be displayed on this report which will allow the user to select the network for a particular dispensing unit. A

Example

Example of a simple network tree with the Depot specification overlayed

In the example above, the root node (Depot USA) is displayed supplying the EUR and SGP depots, as well as the USA region. We also see an unspecified Production facility supplying the root node depot. The production facility is always assumed to exist and does not need to be included in the specification. If a lead time is specified for the root node depot, this lead time is included on the network tree between the root node and the production facility. In this example, since no lead time is specified for the root node, the network tree shows 0 as the lead time.

Report Selectors

Lead Time

This filters the network tree to show lead times.

Shipment Cost

This filters the network tree to show shipment costs.

Shipment Emission

This filters the network tree to show shipment emissions.

Dispensing Units

This filter is shown in addition to the other three for specifications with individual shipping lanes for different dispensing units. The distribution network for a dispensing unit shows the distribution path of kits belonging to that dispensing unit.

Note: Only shown in scenarios with different release locations for different dispensing units.

Report Fields and Filters

Supplier

Source of a distribution connection as specified in the depots table or network table.

• Suppliers for depots are specified in the depots table.

• Suppliers for regions are specified in the network table.

Depot/Region

Destination of a distribution connection as specified in the depots table or network table.

• Destination depots are specified in the depots table.

• Destination regions are specified in the network table.

Lead Days

Shipment lead time (in days) as specified in the depots table or network table.

• Depot shipment lead times are specified in the depots table.

• Site shipment lead times are specified in the network table.