July 27, 2023
By David Butcher, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Despite the investments that manufacturers have made in core digitization and automation, many producers stop short of digitizing their production records and other shop floor data collection efforts. The shop floor is a critical, but often overlooked, opportunity to make quality proactive rather than reactive. Every operator, step and output of the production process is a chance to establish quality and compliance – but only if operators have the tools to deliver quality at the source.
July 18, 2023
By David Butcher, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Manufacturers sometimes make the mistake of viewing automation or digitization in manufacturing as a replacement for workers rather than as a means of supporting and enhancing workers. In failing to invest in digital manufacturing solutions as tools to optimize people on the shop floor, manufacturers miss out on the real benefits of digital transformation, including time efficiencies, new business intelligence, and greater productivity.
July 10, 2023
By David Butcher, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Even as manufacturers invest in system digitization and automation, the people responsible for production records have been left to manage paper, spreadsheets and other standalone systems to collect, record and interpret data relating to production and quality processes. By extending digitization beyond their core systems to their production records, manufacturers can gain a more complete view of their data, optimize manufacturing and ensure quality throughout the production life cycle.
July 4, 2023
By Dave Edwards, Executive Vice President, MasterControl
Many occupying the manufacturing C-suite have embraced the principles of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement because they affect their bottom line. Yet a large portion of manufacturers continue to rely on error-prone, costly document management and recordkeeping systems on the shop floor. Reap the greatest benefits from lean by embracing the digital transformation and upgrading your organization’s culture of quality.
April 5, 2022
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Numerous pharma companies are adopting digitization to ensure long-term relevance in the value chain. This post highlights MasterControl’s “The Ultimate Guide to Digitizing Pharma Manufacturing,” which takes an in-depth look at how the industry is transitioning to modernized operations.
March 29, 2022
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Lately, it seems the only other term uttered as often as COVID-19 is supply chain. Global supply chains are largely becoming more complex, difficult to manage, and vulnerable to uncertainties and risks. This post addresses the supply chain challenges for pharmaceutical companies and provides tips for overcoming them.
March 21, 2022
By Steve Holbrooks, Project Manager, MustardSeed
Pharma manufacturers that adopt machine vision technologies are finding faster ways to detect and contain defects and avoid waste and rework. Learn why automated visual inspection (AVI) systems are the key to enhancing quality and productivity in evolving manufacturing environments.
March 15, 2022
By David Butcher, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Deviations are an inevitable part of manufacturing, but the ability to detect and deal with deviations in real time, reduce the occurrence of avoidable deviations, and limit their impact is made more difficult than necessary with paper or disconnected systems. Manufacturers can save themselves a lot of pain by leveraging manufacturing software with robust digital tools to increase operational visibility and manage deviations more effectively.
February 24, 2022
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Many medical device manufacturing businesses are busily exploring ways to reduce the soaring costs of health care. Medical device remanufacturer Northeast Scientific is contributing to the effort by repurposing single-use devices (SUDs) to make them fit and safe to reuse.
February 8, 2022
By Dale Thompson, Staff Writer, MasterControl
In addition to focusing on more resilient supply chains, the pharma industry needs to prioritize ways to reduce human error in manufacturing. Human errors cost time and money, but they are often preventable.
January 27, 2022
By Dale Thompson, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Pharmaceutical companies need to partner with contract manufacturers capable of maintaining impeccable product quality. Follow these three tips to find a CMO in the pharma industry that can meet and exceed expectations.
January 18, 2022
By David Butcher, Staff Writer, MasterControl
While visibility, agility, and responsiveness have been priorities in managing supply chains for decades, the disruption and volatility around the COVID-19 pandemic amplified their critical role. In doing so, it brought to light the need to digitize and integrate supply chain systems to ensure all relevant data and insights can be connected for optimal resiliency.
To protect themselves in the face of supply chain volatility, medical device manufacturers should reassess their supply chain capabilities with an eye toward proactive, tech-enabled solutions.
January 6, 2022
By David Jensen, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Given the high numbers of pharmaceutical recalls and shortages, along with the current supply chain issues, product manufacturers are making modernization a higher priority. This post examines the new pharmaceutical manufacturing trends in modernization.
August 6, 2021
By David Butcher, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Life sciences manufacturers' production processes should be assets, not liabilities. Yet too many manufacturing companies continue to allow their batch records to become liabilities by using manual, often paper-based systems that are error-prone, disconnected, and limited in the operational insights they provide. Here are three common batch record challenges manufacturers encounter and some practical ways an electronic batch record (EBR) solution can resolve them.
July 15, 2021
By James Jardine, GxP Lifeline Editor, MasterControl
Quality takes on a new meaning in the clinical manufacturing sector, where flexibility is critical and production hinges on rapid yet exacting adjustments. Discover how integrating quality early in the manufacturing process gives companies an edge in the fast-paced and highly competitive field.
March 18, 2021
By Dirk Stynen, Ph. D., President and Principal Consultant, Qarad BV
Electronic distribution of instructions for use (eIFU) are becoming widely used among medical device manufacturers. Due to the increasing popularity, it is critical to understand eIFU within the context of regulations, particularly Europe’s new medical device regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR).
March 16, 2021
By Jon Beckstrand, CEO, MasterControl
We have built technology for life sciences quality and manufacturing for more than 25 years and I have been involved in that effort for 19 years. It wasn’t until 2014 that we realized the why behind what we do and it wasn’t until 2020 that our mission became crystal clear to everyone on our teams.
February 10, 2021
By Dale Thompson, Staff Writer, MasterControl
The president of Wellington Foods, a leading contract manufacturer of nutraceuticals, explains why quality should be an organization’s top priority. This approach helps manufacturers achieve better process control and plan for significant growth without worrying about highly complex manufacturing processes.
December 17, 2020
By Dale Thompson, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Integrate disparate systems and get the most out of your investment in technology designed to streamline manufacturing operations. This will make it possible to improve efficiency, eliminate mistakes and scale quickly.
December 14, 2020
By Dale Thompson, Staff Writer, MasterControl
Every day, we use technology to make our lives easier. Similar technology is available to streamline manufacturing processes. It’s time to digitize and make production errorless, visible and connected.
