News

Posted On: 03/31/2005

Microsoft Unveils Digital Pharma Initiative

On March 15 at the Pharmaceutical Technology Congress in Philadelphia, Microsoft Corp. announced its Digital Pharma initiative. This vision and solutions framework is designed to enable pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to realize their full potential in a rapidly changing environment by addressing two distinct industry imperatives: speed-to-insight and value-for-cost. With mounting industry challenges including pipeline and pricing pressure, industry restructuring, and government regulations, the Microsoft Digital Pharma solutions framework delivers a platform, based on open standards, that will address these imperatives by helping improve productivity, integrate disparate data sources and enable better collaboration across the pharmaceutical value chain.

"The pharmaceutical industry is facing multiple challenges, from pricing pressure to complex regulatory compliance requirements, all of which are converging," said Tim Smokoff, managing director for Microsoft Healthcare and Life Sciences. "Microsoft is committed to enabling drug manufacturers to realize their potential of developing safer and more efficacious innovations that can improve people's health, by delivering a solutions framework that will provide guidance and catalyze operational efficiency."

The solutions framework is launched with the support of more than 18 life sciences solutions companies, all of which have committed to delivering solutions and services that align with the Digital Pharma vision and use Microsoft's .NET Framework, the programming model for building Extensible Markup Language (XML) Web services and applications. The companies include Accenture, Covansys Corp., DataLabs Inc., HP, Immedient Corp., Manhattan Associates Inc., Meridio, Merit Solutions Software, Motion Computing Inc., OnSphere Corp., OSIsoft Inc., OutlookSoft Corp., ProClarity Corp., Project Assistants Inc., Proscape Technologies Inc., QUMAS, Siebel Systems Inc. and Tectura Corp. (See sidebar below.)

Microsoft Digital Pharma addresses two fundamental capabilities critical for future business success in the pharmaceutical industry: speed-to-insight and value-for-cost. By addressing these business imperatives, Microsoft can help pharmaceutical companies address the convergence of pipeline issues, price pressures and the challenges of industry restructuring:

• Speed-to-insight defines the ability to connect disparate resources and data so quicker and more novel insights can be achieved across the value chain, from drug development and data collection to business intelligence and marketing effectiveness, thereby enabling effective and timely critical decision-making.
  
  
• Value-for-cost recognizes the imperative for pharmaceutical companies to realize a disproportionately greater return on new and existing investments in a demanding marketplace. By getting the most out of proven technology and extending existing IT investments, Microsoft and its partners help create business efficiencies that can increase return on investment while speeding innovation.
  
  
• Microsoft and its industry partners help address these imperatives by offering leading-edge solutions that reduce complexity and help build insight across the pharmaceutical value chain by enhancing productivity, connecting disparate information sources and streamlining information flow. Pharmaceutical companies are benefiting from the use of Web-based services, mobile devices and other collaborative tools and applications such as InfoPath, Live Meeting and SharePoint Portal Server that are part of the new Microsoft Office System.

One example is Closed Loop Promotion (CLP), a successful offering conceptualized by Accenture. CLP redefines the interaction between sales representatives and physicians, using the Microsoft platform for collaboration and rapid exchange of information, and using a Web-based interface to deliver customer data and product information to representatives in the field. The solution utilizes pen-based, touch-screen Tablet PCs built on the Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition operating system to interactively share information. Accenture combines its knowledge of the relevant business issues with software from Proscape and Siebel to deliver the benefits of Closed Loop Promotion.

"The pharmaceutical industry is currently managing through a period of unprecedented challenges and entering a new era of opportunities for innovation," said David Blumberg, a partner in Accenture's Health & Life Sciences practice. "Microsoft's Digital Pharma solutions framework has the potential to help streamline pharmaceutical business processes to achieve greater insights in shorter time frames."

Microsoft's Digital Pharma initiative is based on open industry standards such as Web services and XML, and life-sciences-industry-specific standards such as the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC). In addition, Microsoft Windows Server System meets the demanding requirements of the Digital Pharma framework by reducing complexity; enabling flexible, cost-effective solutions; and bringing a new level of reliability, dependability and operational efficiency.

Microsoft has invested more than $6 billion in research and development this year on technologies that fulfill its evolving vision for the future of computing. The company also has created an internal group focused on the long-term vision of its companywide R&D efforts and how these efforts apply to industry verticals such as healthcare and life sciences. The group is playing a key role in demonstrating how innovations based on Microsoft's current and future technologies can come together to meet evolving business needs.

"Microsoft's Digital Pharma initiative is a result of our belief that there is opportunity to enhance business capabilities through technology and to provide much-needed tools to the market to achieve this," said Steve Shihadeh, general manager of Healthcare and Life Sciences at Microsoft. "We are excited that many industry-leading solution providers and pharmaceutical companies share our vision and want to make it a reality."

More information can be found at www.microsoft.com/lifesciences.

Companies supporting Microsoft's Digital Pharma initiative include: Accenture. Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and an outstanding track record, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. With more than 100,000 people in 48 countries, the company generated net revenues of $13.67 billion (U.S.) for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2004. Its home page is www.accenture.com. Covansys Corp. Covansys (www.covansys.com) is a global consulting and technology services company specializing in industry-specific solutions, strategic outsourcing and integration services. Clients gain competitive advantage by leveraging its unique on-site, offsite, offshore delivery capability to achieve rapid deployment, world-class quality and reduced costs. Covansys proudly serves clients in the healthcare, financial services, retail and distribution, manufacturing, telecommunications and high-tech industries. A key offering in the Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences sector is Advantrial, a comprehensive clinical trial management solution for managing Phase III clinical trials. This customizable Microsoft .NET solution allows organizations to rapidly set up study protocols, create case report forms, implement workflow procedures, perform data analysis and generate reports. DataLabs Inc. DataLabs is an innovative developer of Internet-based applications for clinical development that helps the biopharmaceutical industry accelerate clinical trials with proven software for study design, data capture and data management. Based on Microsoft platform technology, XML Web services and CDISC ODM standards, the DataLabsXC product suite adapts to established operating procedures and integrates easily with existing technology systems. As a result, DataLabsXC customers enjoy a low total cost of ownership and high return on investment. Major pharmaceutical companies, government entities, healthcare organizations and contract research organizations are currently realizing time and cost savings using DataLabsXC. DataLabs is based in Irvine, Calif., with East Coast offices in Pennsylvania. More information is available at www.datalabs.com. HP. HP addresses the challenges of today's pharmaceutical industry by implementing solutions that include state-of-the-art hardware, system software, tools, applications and professional services. A collaborative business infrastructure (CBI) enables businesses to integrate and enhance the extended enterprise by connecting applications, data, and people to business processes and Web services. CBI.Net is the collaborative business infrastructure built on the Microsoft .NET Platform and HP ProLiant servers. Companies may choose pharmaceutical solutions that support Microsoft products such as BizTalk, the.NET Framework, SQL Server, XML and SharePoint Portal Server, pre-integrated, configured, and delivered on HP ProLiant servers. In addition, HP can enable Microsoft's Digital Pharma vision with HP OpenView to provide IT service management, complete mobility solutions, and HP Services with over 23,000 Microsoft-trained professionals and the strength of a 20-year alliance with Microsoft. More information can be found at www.hp.com/go/manufacturing/pharmalife. Immedient Corp. Immedient creates innovative, scalable solutions based on the Microsoft platform to enhance customers' business performance. As an award- winning and nationally recognized Microsoft Business Solutions Certified Partner and a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner in the areas of collaboration and analytics, enterprise program management and enterprise systems, Immedient has the skills and experience to help provide strategic technology solutions that enhance teamwork, increase productivity and drive accountability. More information is available at www.immedient.com. Manhattan Associates Inc. Manhattan Associates is a global leader in providing supply chain execution and optimization solutions. It enables operational excellence through its warehouse, transportation, distributed order management, reverse logistics and trading partner management applications, as well as its RFID, performance management and event management capabilities. These Integrated Logistics Solutions leverage state-of-the-art technologies, innovative practices and Manhattan Associates' domain expertise to help enhance performance, profitability and competitive advantage. Manhattan Associates has licensed more than 900 customers representing more than 1,600 facilities worldwide, which include some of the world's leading manufacturers, distributors and retailers. More information about Manhattan Associates can be seen at www.manh.com. Meridio. Meridio develops electronic document and records management (EDRM) software exclusively for Microsoft platforms. Meridio solutions are designed to transparently integrate with Microsoft Office System products and allow life sciences enterprises to implement large-scale EDRM solutions with minimal additional infrastructure costs and training. Using Meridio, EDRM solutions are easily implemented by organizations familiar with MS SharePoint Portal Server, MS Office Outlook, MS Office Word, and other Microsoft products and technology, and requires minimal changes to current operational practices. Meridio provides the regulatory compliance platform to meet the scale and demands of life science requirements with Microsoft and key partners in the Digital Pharma initiative. More information is available at www.meridio.com. Merit Solutions Software. Merit Solutions Software specializes in control and compliance software for life sciences organizations that require FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Merit Solutions extends Microsoft Business Solutions--Great Plains® with capabilities for audit trails, electronic signatures and enhanced security. Merit Solutions works closely with midmarket clients and their consulting partners to support technology investments, design solutions and implement projects that drive competitive advantage and improve business performance. More information is available at www.meritsolutions.com/products/life_sciences.html. Motion Computing Inc. Motion Computing -- a Tablet PC market leader -- combines world-class product innovation and ultramobile computing and wireless industry experience so people can use their computers in new ways and places. The company designs and engineers award-winning Tablet PCs and accessories for pharmaceutical professionals who need a combination of true mobility, power and versatility. The lightweight, ultramobile Motion Tablet PC empowers any employee -- from traveling sales representative to corporate executive -- to maximize productivity while on the go. Marketed directly through the company's Web site and an experienced international reseller network, each Motion product is built to customer specifications. More information can be found at www.motioncomputing.com. OnSphere Corp. OnSphere's PharmaReady electronic document management solution is designed specifically for management of SOPs, work instructions and all other documents in business areas regulated by the FDA. PharmaReady is based on Microsoft's proven .NET Framework and utilizes SharePoint Portal Server, Microsoft SQL Server and Windows Server technologies. PharmaReady is ready to install right out of the box. PharmaReady is designed for pharmaceutical and biotechnology organizations where ease of installation and use, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Part 11 compliance, and affordability are the primary business drivers. More information is available at www.onsphere.com. OSIsoft Inc. OSIsoft delivers performance management software to the world's leading process manufacturing, life sciences and utility companies -- anywhere real-time operational metrics fuel performance. With more than 10,000 installations worldwide, OSIsoft's real-time data platform crosses IT and process boundaries to incorporate and display operational information. Providing comprehensive visibility into operations, the OSIsoft platform unlocks the potential for timely analysis and the ability to make critical, informed and profitable decisions. Founded in 1980, OSIsoft Inc. is headquartered in San Leandro, Calif., with operations worldwide and is privately held. More information is available at www.osisoft.com. OutlookSoft Corp. OutlookSoft is a leading provider of unified, real-time business performance management (BPM) solutions powered by the Microsoft business intelligence platform. The company's Web-based solution, OutlookSoft Everest, provides a single application for strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial consolidation, analysis, reporting, scorecarding and dashboards. In addition to Everest, OutlookSoft delivers related consulting, training, implementation and ongoing product/client support services, both directly and through a network of strategic partner, reseller and distributor relationships. Headquartered in Stamford Conn., OutlookSoft has offices throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to serve multinational customers across diverse industry segments. More information is available at www.outlooksoft.com. ProClarity Corp. ProClarity's industry-leading application development platform allows organizations to build sophisticated, custom analytic solutions that enable decision-makers to make more insightful choices faster. These solutions dramatically speed the decision-making process through the use of innovative real-time analytic technologies, patented visualizations, Web-like navigation and powerful calculations. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, ProClarity has regional sales and services offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Founded in 1995, ProClarity supports more than 2,000 customers globally including Roche, Barnes & Noble, AT&T, HP, The Home Depot, Reckitt Benckiser, USDA and Wells Fargo. More can be learned by visiting www.proclarity.com. Project Assistants Inc. Project Assistants is a leading provider of consulting services, custom development, education and products for enterprise project management solutions. The company's Drug Development Solution helps organizations forecast, coordinate and track the vast resources required to complete the drug development cycle. This solution helps life sciences organizations forecast development resources, integrate knowledge management and project management, streamline portfolio reporting, and promote team collaboration. Founded in 1996, Project Assistants is headquartered in Wilmington, Del., with international delivery capability. Project Assistants was recently recognized in Inc. 500 as one of "America's Fastest Growing Private Companies." More information can be found at www.projectassistants.com. Proscape Technologies Inc. Proscape is a leading provider of Marketing and Sales Effectiveness software for the Tablet PC running the Windows Tablet PC Edition operating system. Proscape leverages the Tablet PC operating system to deliver the optimal computing environment for today's mobile pharmaceutical professionals. Proscape's solutions enable brand and sales team collaboration to improve the quality of the customer-representative interaction. More information is available at www.proscape.com. QUMAS. QUMAS provides a suite of integrated Enterprise Compliance Management software solutions that address document and data-centric processes such as the creation, review, approval and distribution of controlled documentation. QUMAS applications include built-in best practices that support a broad range of regulatory requirements including Sarbanes-Oxley, HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, cGxP, and Six Sigma Content Management. For over a decade, QUMAS has delivered corporate compliance solutions to more than 100 global life sciences organizations. QUMAS clients have achieved dramatic return on their technology investments as well as improved operational efficiency. More information can be found at www.qumas.com. Siebel Systems Inc. Siebel pioneered the industry-specific application model and today delivers 23 industry applications and more than 100 industry-specific solution sets. These solutions, which include Siebel Pharma, enable companies to establish a single, enterprisewide view of their customers and execute key customer-facing business processes more efficiently and effectively. More information is available at www.siebel.com. Tectura Corp. A global provider of integrated business solutions to midmarket companies and large enterprise divisions, Tectura specializes in ERP and CRM solutions built on Microsoft Business Solutions software and integrated with leading-edge Microsoft products and technologies. Tectura Life Sciences is a comprehensive and flexible ERP solution that offers integrated modules designed to meet the needs of the life sciences industry. More information is available at www.tectura.com.