Ensure End-to-End Compliance in Life Sciences & Chemicals

Many chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics companies began automating their production processes long before “smart factory” was an established term. However, end-to-end integration into the SAP system in particular provides considerable potential for further optimisation – especially from a financial perspective. Integrated batch management and quality checks are central to this.

In addition, many production steps require a digital signature. In some instances this is obligatory, while in others the guidelines give some leeway and capitalising on this can lead to financial savings. This calls for expertise that itelligence specialists have gained through their involvement in countless projects over many years.

Large-scale fraud cases have caused legislators around the world to take action. When it comes to product serialisation, it is no longer enough to consider only the outer packaging – especially of pharmaceutical products.

Inner packaging also needs unique identifiers, such as serial numbers. For packaging types like blister packs, this can drive up costs. This is because applying a number to this kind of packaging can require laser technology, which is far more expensive than standard labeling.

But what are the mandatory processes? And where is it necessary to compromise? Those who can answer these questions can potentially save a lot of money.

For future-oriented companies, developing new products with the right properties and best possible cost structure has always been a key focus. Thanks to digitisation in the form of collaboration between business partners during the development process, enterprises can achieve this with less risk and greater cost efficiency than ever before.

The prerequisite for this, however, is that research and development are closely integrated into the existing IT landscape and that processes run smoothly.

Minimising risk to humans, products, and the environment is an every-day duty for chemical companies. In supporting this task, the processes and technologies enabled by the Internet of Things (IoT) can play a decisive role – by simplifying hazardous materials management, for example.

Furthermore, pressure sensors incorporated into chemical pipelines can detect when even minute quantities of hazardous substances are leaking. In this event, they turn off the devices and report the incident to the integrated IT system.

Today, pharmaceutical companies have to prove that every drug produced reaches the end customer – the pharmacy – in its original condition. This means they have to ensure traceability in batch management, from production to delivery, and guarantee that all products remain within the correct temperature range.

And this is where the Internet of Things comes into play. In conjunction with temperature sensors and labeling, the IoT enables you to track a product throughout its lifecycle and test it in real time.

Companies in the pharmaceutical industry have to validate their IT systems in accordance with guidelines set out by the EU and the FDA. However, the majority of decision makers are unsure exactly which systems this applies to – and to what extent. This uncertainty results in unnecessary costs.