Choosing the Right MES Partner: 5 Factors for Confident Pharma Projects

Selecting the right partner is as important as choosing the right MES solution. We understand that your investment in an MES is one of the most important decisions you will make, so here are some insights to help you decide on the right MES partner.

1. Does the vendor fully understand your challenges

Only after analysing the issues and shortcomings in your current setup can an MES vendor realistically evaluate the ROI and the costs associated with your project. Does the vendor have knowledgeable, industry-experienced staff to support your business analyses? Our team focuses on MES solutions for the healthcare sector. We only take on projects we know we can make a success of, so we typically start with a business case study to uncover your full requirements, determine all costs for an MES initiative, and evaluate the expected ROI. Because we have a very good understanding of your requirements, as your MES partner, we can estimate prices and project timelines with a high degree of accuracy.

2. Do they offer a phased project approach?

Does the MES vendor recommend a phased project approach? By focusing on one functional area at a time, the project team can ensure all the details aree ight before proceeding.

We have learned that the most successful projects are those rolled out in distinct phases. An early success that provides tangible benefits for individual staff helps everyone become engaged and positive about the change. During each phase of the project, we follow a standard lifecycle approach, with clearly defined phases, documented activities, d a gating process that ensures everything is completed properly before moving on.

3. Is the vendor realistic about project resource demand?

Is the vendor realistic regarding the project resources you will need? Typically, an MES project requires significant input from the business, and it can be very hard for staff to find time to combine project work with their regular duties, which often leads to slipped deadlines and extra costs. From the outset, we will be very honest about how many resources you will need. If we don’t think you have enough people available with the right skills, we will propose adding additional specialists to assist. As a trusted MES partner to leading manufacturers, we understand the pressure to keep costs reasonable. We will balance this with the direct financial gains from delivering the project benefits without delay.

4. Will you be working directly with the software developers?

Will you be working directly with the software developers and benefitting from their knowledge of the product’s capabilities?

Here at CI Precision, we think it is essential to have a strong connection between software developers and product management. This has led to a product which is extremely well adapted to the reality of customer projects. It also means you benefit from excellent knowledge transfer about product capabilities and best practices for using the software most effectively.

5. Will the vendor remain committed to achieving your long-term strategic goals?

Will the vendor remain committed to achieving your long-term strategic goals once the project is completed? Will they recommend additional functionality to support your business’s growth in the years to come?

We plan for the long term and are committed to all our customers. We build strong customer relationships, right up to the directors and owners. MES solutions and the healthcare sector are central to our business, so if you have a concern or want us to add functionality to the core product, you will find that we listen and respond.