Making the Most of Microsoft Technology

INTERVIEW Making the most of Microsoft technology We discuss how the Microsoft technology stack has helped AX for Pharma to develop an integrated enterprise resource planning solution for pharmaceutical manufacturers with the company’s CEO Andrea Ruosi BY REBECCA GIBSON What is AX for Pharma? documentation. For example, it can be used to AX for Pharma is a commercial off-the-shelf create electronic signatures and approved ven- solution that provides pharmaceutical and life dor or manufacturer lists. This allows custom- sciences companies with a complete integrated ers to implement best practices and accelerate enterprise resource planning, laboratory infor- the decision making processes. mation management system and manufacturing execution system. The only pharmaceutical Why is the Microsoft technology stack, solution certified for Microsoft Dynamics AX particularly Dynamics AX, a good platform 2012, AX for Pharma also leverages Microsoft for AX for Pharma? SQL Server, SharePoint and Office to offer Dynamics AX 2012 offers core ERP functionali- modules for quality management, plant main- ties that help pharmaceuticals manage finances, tenance, dispensing, regulatory compliance and supply chains, sales and marketing, human re- activity-based costing. sources and other critical operational processes more effectively. We’ve also extended these to How does AX for Pharma benefit help our customers meet GMP guidelines and pharmaceuticals and life sciences companies? country-specific industry regulations. AX for Pharma helps pharmaceuticals to re- Using Dynamics AX also enables us to easily duce costs, manage the growing complexity integrate AX for Pharma with Microsoft Office, in regulatory compliance, simplify computer allowing companies to access Word to create system validation and accelerate time to mar- manufacturing batch records and test sheets, or ket. It also supports all of the functionalities leverage Outlook to send configurable e-mail a company needs to comply with Good notifications. Meanwhile, Excel can be used to Automated Manufacturing Practice, Good import and export data to and from Dynamics Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and electronic AX, or to calculate results and analyse trends related to research and development projects. Microsoft Project can also be used to manage projects. SharePoint can also be integrated in many parts of the process, for example to docu- ment production operations or the consumption of certain formula items. “AX for Pharma helps pharmaceuticals to reduce costs and manage the growing complexity in regulatory compliance” 100 www.onwindows.com PHARMACEUTICALS How does being a Microsoft Gold Partner vendors, manufacturers and customers; that they benefit both your company and your customers? execute advanced quality control processes; and We’re able to access training material and use that they are able to improve inventory tracking. Microsoft’s standard methodologies – such as Using Azure enables us to manage cloud backups SureStep – to help with project planning and ac- and disaster recovery, deploy a Dynamics AX 2012 celerating implementations. Marketing and selling R3 environment on Azure within hours, and reduce our AX for Pharma solution is also much easier. Not IT costs because we no longer need to manage an only do we have a priority ranking for Dynamics extensive IT infrastructure. Plus, our customers can AX in the online Microsoft Pinpoint directory, but easily scale it to meet their changing business needs. we can also participate in marketing campaigns, free product demonstrations and conferences. Do you have plans to use Microsoft technology Meanwhile, our customers are reassured that to expand AX for Pharma in the near future? AX for Pharma meets industry-specific and We will upgrade the AX for Pharma solution to governmental regulations and that it’s been the latest version of Dynamics AX, which will be developed by a certified independent software released in early 2016 and will be built on the vendor. Customers also know it has been chosen Azure cloud. This will be a game changer, not and recommended by pharmaceutical compa- only because Microsoft plans to continually up- nies worldwide as a low-risk, easily maintained date the platform, but also because it will offer a solution that can be implemented quickly to simplified and intelligent user experience. transform pharmaceutical operations. Soon, we’ll introduce a new AX for Pharma Clinical Supplies module to enable users to manage Tell us about the new AX for Pharma-based how pharmaceutical products are manufactured lifecycle services tool and why it has been for clinical trials. It will cover protocol manage- built on Microsoft Azure. ment, randomised and blind testing, dosing sched- Our AX for Pharma Solution Package offers uling, packaging and labelling, and distribution. customers an overview of the business process We’ll also extend AX for Pharma’s existing flows for procurement, manufacturing, sales, modules by adding new functionalities to im- inventory and quality management. Designed prove how our customers manage storage con- to accelerate the implementation and validation dition and storage restriction, anti-tampering processes for AX for Pharma, it demonstrates measures, safety information, weighing and how to use specific AX for Pharma features. dispensing processes for samples and subcon- This ensures that companies know how to pur- tractor ingredients, cleaning operations, and chase and ship materials to and from approved compliance with GMP manufacturing codes. 101.

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