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Case study: Information technology solutions
Situation
An emerging biotech company in late-stage development of an upper respiratory drug was preparing for FDA approval and preemptively planning for a US-based sales force. In addition, the company was actively pursuing additional research and clinical trials, as well as investigating the market potential outside the US. Unfortunately, its existing building, infrastructure, processes, and procedures were falling short of the growing needs. System and data backups were failing regularly, viruses were running rampant, email was overrun with spam, Internet connectivity was spotty, and remote access was slow and unmanageable. The company's systems – lacking MRP and CRM capabilities – were incapable of supporting its planned drug launch.
Also, since the company had no marketable product and a small IT staff, its financial and human resources were limited. The need for a complete overhaul of its IT infrastructure, budgeting, planning, and execution was paramount to the company's ability to launch its product.
Approach
Placing a senior member of our staff as a temporary Director of IT, Trinity Pharma immediately took control of all technical aspects of the infrastructure and the IT staff. We developed an IT strategy, created an infrastructure capital expenditure and operational budget, and built the company's first comprehensive systems. We worked on these items in a logical fashion with the executive committee, adding functionality, increasing efficiency, and staying within budget.
Trinity Pharma also specified and then later configured the infrastructure of a planned new building from power and HVAC to cabling, Internet connectivity, phone system, battery backup, and wireless connectivity. These steps allowed the current IT staff to manage the day-to-day operations of the infrastructure and maintain a content user base, while major projects outside the expertise of the current staff were getting accomplished. During this time, we also helped the client search for an IT executive to take over and continue moving the company forward.
Result
Since our introduction into the environment, the company has moved into a new building with a true data center and a completely rebuilt infrastructure. With an operating budget and an IT strategy, our client is prepared to roll out a sales force and a manufacturing control system. The company now has a fully operational IT staff, while Trinity Pharma continues to provide direction and strategic advice when needed.
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