- Victor Sebastiani, Systems Architect, Smart Factory NNIT.
Digital transformation in the life sciences sector is essential to remain competitive, ensure ongoing compliance, and deliver on customer and patient expectations. Data is a central component of just about all digital transformation initiatives, but data is also one of the biggest challenges. AVEVA PI System is a proven solution to many of those challenges.
In this blog, we will look at some of the operational and digital transformation pain points that exist in life sciences sector manufacturing operations. We will also look at how AVEVA PI System addresses those pain points while modernizing production processes and deepening the integration of those processes throughout other parts of the organization.
We'll start, however, with a brief overview of AVEVA PI System.
What is AVEVA PI System?
AVEVA PI System is a solution developed specifically for industry to capture, store, enrich, contextualize, visualize, and use operational data. It takes data from all sources – sensors, equipment, platforms, applications, and more – to enhance oversight, efficiency, and productivity and to facilitate digital transformation.
In other words, it takes the data produced in your factory (and the data that could be produced but currently isn't) and puts it to work.
Overcoming Manufacturing and Digital Transformation Challenges with AVEVA PI System
Data Silos and a Lack of Standardized Data
Inconsistent data structuring is a considerable operational challenge in life sciences sector manufacturing environments. It is also a barrier to modernization and digital transformation. This is where data from various platforms, applications, systems, and equipment is stored in different formats, silos, and/or locations.
AVEVA PI System breaks down silos and standardizes data structures across all systems, processes, and endpoints.
Data Integrity & Compliance Challenges
Life sciences sector manufacturers must comply with 21 CFR Part 11 and other data-related FDA, European, and GMP regulations and guidelines. Data integrity is a crucial component of this aspect of compliance.
AVEVA PI System can be configured and integrated with other systems (quality management systems, for example) to achieve the required levels of data integrity and ensure regulatory compliance.
Limited Real-Time Visibility of Operations
Manufacturing operations in the life sciences sector often rely wholly or largely on manual data collection, processing, and reporting. This takes time, so real-time monitoring is not possible. It is also prone to error, while datasets are often incomplete.
A well-configured AVEVA PI System implementation will utilize all data to provide real-time visibility and oversight through customizable dashboards, event-based alerts, and predictive analytics.
IT/OT Integration Challenges
The integration of IT and OT (operational technology) systems is crucial for many digital transformation and modernization initiatives. The problem is that integration is often challenging, especially when legacy systems and equipment are involved.
AVEVA PI System has been specifically designed to facilitate integration across all data sources, modern and legacy, IT and OT.
Assumption-Based Decision-Making
Without accurate and complete real-time data, decisions must be made using assumptions, historical trends, and educated guesses. This results in sub-optimal decision-making, errors, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities.
AVEVA PI System presents decision-makers at all levels of a life sciences sector manufacturing operation with real-time, complete, and accurate data, facilitating true data-driven decision-making.
Time-Consuming and Resource-Intensive Regulatory Compliance
Regulatory audits and compliance reporting are often manual, time-consuming, and resource intensive. Then, even with a significant investment of time and resources, the audits and reports can fall short because of missing, incomplete, or inaccurate data.
AVEVA PI System enables automated compliance monitoring and reporting based on accurate and complete data.
Implementing and Optimizing AVEVA PI System in the Life Sciences Sector
This blog highlights the benefits of implementing AVEVA PI System in your life sciences sector manufacturing facility. If you already have AVEVA PI System, there could be optimization and improvement opportunities that will deliver added benefits and maximize return on investment. At NNIT, we have experience of both – successful AVEVA PI System implementations and projects to improve and optimize existing systems.
To learn more and discuss your requirements, contact us to arrange a consultation with our AVEVA PI System experts.
