Pharmaceutical Traceability and IIoT Utilization [Roundup]

IFS Acquires New Visualization Through VisionWaves

Operational Excellence (OE) doesn’t just happen, nor is it something that occurs blindly.  Operational Excellence, identified as a key strategic objective in numerous LNS Research surveys for APM, MOM, and Quality requires active management.  Whether it is an Enterprise Manufacturing Intelligence (EMI) application or something broader, visibility into how you are performing is critical.  H. James Harrington observed, “Measurement is the first step that leads to control and eventually to improvement. If you can’t measure something, you can’t understand it. If you can’t understand it, you can’t control it. If you can’t control it, you can’t improve it.”

On July 7^th, 2015 IFS announced they bought 100% of the shares to a software company that helps customers visualize and manage business performance. By acquiring VisionWaves, IFS will be able to add the visual tool to their portfolio from a strategic perspective by mapping, monitoring, and managing end-to-end business processes across multiple business units, data sources and applications. The operational intelligence tool will help customers gain an at-a-glance understanding of how their strategy is performing. It will drive strategy and increase business performance. To read more click here.

Data Management Through the IIoT

There are a lot of different uses and functions for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for manufacturers. Cloud and big data is just a couple of popular uses as to how manufacturers utilize the IIoT.  Industrial businesses are realizing the IIoT can be used for more than just that. Quality Digest featured an article that focuses on data management through the IIoT in three fundamentals. The first being IIoT has the ability and functionality to smoothly get connected through smart connected assets. Another fundamental is being able to drive intelligent insights from analytics. Enabling people to achieve Operational Excellence (OE) is another fundamental that industrial professionals are aiming for through the use of the IIoT. To learn more about understanding foundational data elements for your business and how to simplify and prioritize foundational entities through IIoT click here.

Traceability and MES in Pharmaceuticals

Manufacturers around the world struggle to maintain efficient processes of production. Industries from automotive to pharmaceuticals strive for the same thing: Operational Excellence (OE). While many manufacturers are faced with regulatory requirements, they resort to automated approaches for optimum management. To reach this level of better management, manufacturing professionals are using an integration of enterprise functions with manufacturing execution systems (MES) to reach Operational Excellence.

In the pharmaceutical industry traceability is part of achieving operational excellence. Companies needed to find a way to better manage batch production through automated strategies. British Technology Strategy Board, a pharmaceutical based company created a project in 2010 with GlaxoSmithKline, GEA Pharma Systems, and Siemens to execute oral solids dosage (OSD) manufacturing. The project implemented SiPAT process analytical technology (PAT) software from Siemens. Among its capabilities, it is able to achieve and maintain traceability for ultimate production. Jan Vugts, managing director of GE Pharma Systems said, “It was not just a matter of granulating the powder and making a tablet, but-more importantly-generating the information that goes with the tablet to enable real-time approval of the finished product.” The most important key component was to be able to communicate process data to the MES for real-time reporting. Since then, PAT has gained more business as Vertex Pharmaceuticals awaits the approval to produce a new cystic fibrosis drug. They are currently building a $30 million manufacturing facility in Boston, MA with plans to utilize PAT during production. To read more on MES advancements in the pharmaceutical industry click here.

Handling IIoT at Cisco

Cisco-San Jose, California senior manager of industry business development for manufacturing, Kevin Davenport, spoke with Plant Services earlier this month. Davenport approached how not to become overwhelmed by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). Davenport also details how manufacturers can increase their connectivity to data and drive business. He urges industrial and manufacturing professionals to map technology to business needs, and not the other way around. Davenport was able to acknowledge how easily manufacturing professionals can find themselves overwhelmed by the IIoT, and how to better utilize it. To read more click here.