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Do you have a legacy SCADA system in your manufacturing facility that is creaking at the seams? Are you worried about the risks posed by your outdated SCADA system, or are you frustrated by the limitations it places on your modernisation efforts? Are you simply fed up with the high and difficult-to-control costs? Upgrading your …
7 Reasons to Upgrade Your Legacy SCADA System to the Ignition Platform Read More »
In regulated industries, CAPA (Corrective and Preventative Action) is a core component of your Quality Management System (QMS). Your CAPA quality process is essential for regulatory compliance reasons, but CAPA is also about improving product safety, operational safety in your plant, productivity, OEE, cost-base, and more – the list goes on. CAPA aims to identify …
How Digital Transformation Drives Significant CAPA Quality Process Efficiency Savings Read More »
Download the infographic as a PDF Combined SCADA and MES – Full Stack OT Platforms Explained Full Stack OT (operational technology) Platforms combine SCADA and MES (manufacturing execution system) functionality into one solution. Here’s an overview: What is SCADA? Data acquisition Data communication Data presentation Machine control What is MES? Production order management, scheduling, …
Infographic: Combined SCADA and MES Platforms Explained Read More »
The traditional manufacturing software stack – often referred to as the ISA-95 model – is well established in a range of industries and sectors, including the pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries. Companies have built structures and processes around this model that facilitate profitable production, regulatory compliance, and effective quality control. However, hierarchical structures like …
Combined SCADA and MES Solutions for Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Manufacturers Read More »
Manufacturers in the life sciences sector have been going through a period of continual change as organisations automate processes, integrate equipment, and make better use of data along Industry 4.0 principles. Part of this process of change is the growing trend to switch to Full Stack OT Platforms. Full Stack OT (operational technology) Platforms are …
Bridging the gap between IT and OT is a key objective for a growing number of organisations in the life sciences sector. The benefits of doing so are substantial, including having increased OT oversight and being able to use OT data to transform business operations. When bridging the IT/OT gap, it is essential to understand …
Understanding Cybersecurity Risks When Bridging the IT/OT Gap Read More »
CDMOs (contract development and manufacturing organisations) and CMOs (contract manufacturing organisations) have been a feature of the life sciences sector for many decades. However, this part of the sector is changing and growing, making externalisation an even more critical element of worldwide pharmaceutical and medical device development and production. A lot of the change taking …
Externalisation in the Life Sciences Sector Through the Growth of CDMOs and CMOs Read More »
Pharmaceutical and medical device companies are high-value targets for cybercriminals, making cybersecurity a high-priority consideration. A key component of good cybersecurity is adopting password security best practices. Good password security is important to protect IP and patient data, as well as ensuring operations can continue without the often significant interruptions that can occur as a …
Password Security Best Practices for the Life Sciences Sector Read More »
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are technologies that are transforming the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. When implemented properly, they can help manufacturers in the life sciences sector overcome some of the most difficult of today’s challenges, as well as improving productivity, efficiency, and quality. Both technologies are similar as they …
Automated Guided Vehicles and Autonomous Mobile Robots in the Pharmaceutical Industry Read More »
Manufacturing in the life sciences sector is dominated by large-volume, high-speed production facilities where business models are based on economies of scale. This approach has served the sector and society very well over the past decades, especially in the developed world. Now, however, there is increasing interest, research, and innovation in a different form of …
Mobile Manufacturing in the Life Sciences Sector – Opportunities, Risks, & Challenges Read More »
Digitalising pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing facilities is a high priority for companies in the life sciences sector. Achieving this priority involves developing fully integrated production lines while maintaining (and improving) compliance with GxP regulations. Eliminating manual data entry is an essential requirement to reach this level of digitalisation. The rewards of creating the fully …
Cutting-edge technologies are helping manufacturers in the life sciences sector improve productivity while also addressing challenges – challenges that include skills availability, product quality consistency, production oversight, and OEE (a measure of equipment and overall production line performance). Examples of these cutting-edge solutions include Manufacturing Execution Systems, process automation solutions, and equipment systems integration solutions. …
The Benefits of Dynamics 365 Mixed Reality for Manufacturers in the Life Sciences Sector Read More »
Like other companies, manufacturers in the life sciences sector faced a number of challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. One specific and unique challenge was how to conduct a regulatory audit when people couldn’t travel and there were restrictions on who could meet, where, and when. At SL Controls, we developed and successfully implemented a digital …
Considerable progress has been made in the development of cell and gene therapies (CGTs) over recent years. Many new CGT products have already been approved by regulators in the US, EU, and other parts of the world, and many more are in development. The most exciting part is the improvements in patient outcomes that CGTs …
Overcoming the Manufacturing Challenges of Cell and Gene Therapies Read More »
The life sciences sector continues to grow as new therapies, drugs, and products are developed. New manufacturing and business technologies are also driving change in the sector, as are ever-evolving regulations and best practice guidelines. So, where is the sector heading? Here are nine game-changing trends in the life sciences sector to be aware of: …
9 Game-Changing Trends in the Life Sciences Sector Read More »
All sections of the life sciences sector understand the need to evolve operations using the cutting-edge technologies, processes, and best practices that come under the smart manufacturing umbrella. However, it’s important to take a structured approach, with a carefully developed and implemented smart manufacturing strategy. In this blog, we’ll look at why it is important …
Smart Manufacturing Strategy Overview for the Life Sciences Sector Read More »
Most pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers have implemented new technologies and processes over the past number of years that would come under the smart manufacturing umbrella. You are probably also now considering the next stage on your journey. What are the smart manufacturing solutions and opportunities that you should explore next? There are a number …
Smart Manufacturing Considerations for Pharma and MedTech Manufacturers Read More »
Manufacturing in all sectors and industries is changing as smart manufacturing technologies, the industrial internet of things, and Industry 4.0 best practices continue to advance. What about the life sciences sector specifically? Here are the 2023 smart manufacturing trends that pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers need to be aware of. Integration of MES, SCADA, and …
Smart Manufacturing Trends for 2023 in the Life Sciences Sector Read More »
Transforming your life sciences facility into a factory of the future involves implementing smart manufacturing solutions as part of a digitalisation strategy. Those solutions will ensure you get the benefits of digitalised processes while establishing the foundations for the next stage of your journey. There will be challenges, however, and one of the most important …
Smart Manufacturing Solutions and the Importance of Data Integrity Read More »
Systems integration is an essential part of any modernisation and improvement project in manufacturing organisations. Systems integration is also the cornerstone of Industry 4.0, and it is central to the development of the smart factory of the future. What does systems integration mean in practice for manufacturers in the life sciences sector? One of the …
The Importance of Systems Integration to Optimise Your SCADA, MES, and ERP Systems Read More »
GAMP 5 is one of the most important validation and computer system assurance guides for the life sciences industry. This year saw the release of GAMP 5 Second Edition. So, what’s new and what’s changed? The original GAMP 5 was published in 2008, and it went on to become the globally accepted guide for the …
ALCOA+ is a set of principles that ensures data integrity in the life sciences sector. It was introduced by, and is still used by, the FDA – the US Food and Drug Administration. It has relevance in a range of areas, particularly in relation to pharmaceutical research, manufacturing, testing, and the supply chain. As well …
What is ALCOA+ and Why Is It Important to Validation and Data Integrity Read More »
The benefits of Industry 4.0 technologies, processes, and systems include improved productivity and efficiency, better flexibility and agility, and increased profitability. Industry 4.0 also improves the customer experience, including through more personalised and intelligent products. Understanding and then contextualising these benefits is important, particularly in highly regulated industries like medical device, pharmaceutical, and biopharmaceutical manufacturing. …
The Project The project outlined in this case study involved integrating the PAS-X MES platform into a customer’s production line. The customer is in the life sciences sector. SL Controls’ parent company, NNIT, was the lead on the project. NNIT provided full support for the integration process, including scoping, design, deployment, and validation. The first …
MES (manufacturing execution system) platforms are becoming increasingly indispensable tools in manufacturing facilities, including in the life sciences sector. There are many MES options available (including PAS-X), so it’s important to get the right advice and support to ensure the implementation of a solution that works for your organisation today and into the future. In …
What Is PAS-X and Is It the Best MES Solution for Your Pharma Manufacturing Facility? Read More »
The regulated sector, including pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, is going through a period of transformational change. These changes are being driven by new product innovations, market pressures, the evolving regulatory landscape, and customer/end-user demands. MES solutions, powered by the platform Ignition, are enabling manufacturers to respond, including manufacturers in highly regulated industries. SL Controls …
Microsoft Cloud for Manufacturing is on its way. It was announced last year as one of several new industry clouds that Microsoft is developing, and it is currently in preview mode. What can manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and technologies industries expect from this new Microsoft solution? For us at SL Controls, Microsoft’s Azure …
What is Microsoft Cloud for Manufacturing and What Can You Expect? Read More »
There are a number of challenges facing the pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing industries. Those challenges include labour shortages and developing supply chain resilience. There is also an increasing requirement to become more agile, where production facilities can react faster to changing demands and expectations. Pharmaceutical and medical device companies also have to deal with …
Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is a quality system for warehouses and distribution centres that process medicines. Historically, GDP only covered the movement of finished products from manufacturing sites to wholesalers, retailers, and patients. These parts of the supply chain are still covered by GDP, but the guidelines are now applicable throughout the whole supply chain, …
What is Good Distribution Practice and How Does it Impact Thermal Compliance? Read More »
The past 12+ months has seen supply chains face considerable disruption – disruption that has altered perspectives and priorities. While Covid-19 is not the only reason for these disruptions, it is a significant factor. The pandemic isn’t over yet, either, bringing further uncertainty. While there are uncertainties, there are also opportunities in warehouse and supply …
7 Warehouse Management and Supply Chain Trends for 2022 Read More »
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