Information Matters

Control Group uses a new management information system to streamline the workflow and documentation required for its pharmaceutical customers.

However, this doesn't mean that everything has been easy. "Like everyone in our industry, cost is the driving factor," he emphasizes. "Our customers want to have first-class service at the lowest price. This drives us to constantly look at our costs to see how we can manage our business so we stay competitive."

"Paper" trail

Being a supplier to the pharmaceutical market is accompanied by a number of challenges, not the least of which is traceability, says Imburgia. "Whenever we have conversations with our pharma customers they want to see a 'paper trail' and data validity. They want to know who did this and when was it done.

"The pharma market is all about accountability," he continues. "Our customers require a tremendous amount of documentation supporting what we produced and how we verified it. In the past this was all done by hand, and the thickness of the folder grew by inches every time we did an order! By using a good information system, we have virtually eliminated the paperwork associated with an order."

Control Group uses a print management solution from Mississauga, Ontario-based Computer Productivity Services (CPS, www.cpsinc.ca), a business solutions provider for flexographic converters that supplies customized software based on Microsoft Dynamics GP.

"We reviewed numerous systems and vendors in our search process," reports Imburgia. "We wanted a mature system that had support and flexibility both from a software and programmer aspect. No one system can fit every application, so there has to be flexibility involved."

In the end, Imburgia says that CPS was selected because his company's team felt CPS had the right mix to meet their needs. "Because it was a Microsoft-based platform, it gave us a tremendous amount of comfort," he adds. "CPS proved to be familiar with the industry and our specific needs, and was able to modify the system to accommodate our unique applications."

The benefits provided by a management information system are especially important in dynamic market segments, such as pharmaceuticals. "We are able to process accurate quotes and orders quickly and at the same time, check capacity and inventory. This makes our scheduling and turnaround times more accomodating to our customer base," notes Imburgia. "Preparing quotes no longer requires hours; it's done in minutes with the ability to change variables in an instant."

Further improvements are in the works. "Our next step is going to be adding an Internet connectivity module to allow our customers to securely log on and track their orders, along with being able to place orders online," he reports.

Control Group is more than satisfied with the results of the investment in its new information system. "The ERP [enterprise resource planning] system provides us with all the business intelligence we need to manage our business, identify trends, and provide accurate and timely cost information," says Imburgia.

He also notes the contribution from CPS, "a true partner in this endeavor," he claims. "The implementation of the new system went very well and we avoided many of the pitfalls and problems typically associated with a new implementation. Microsoft online tools and user forums are also a major plus." pP

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