Transforming Data Management: Why fme is the Strategic Partner for Consumer Products Amidst Industry Challenges

As we approach the halfway point of 2024, I am reflecting on the incredible opportunities I have had to attend numerous purpose-built, focused industry events. June has proven to be a fantastic finale as we close the first half of the year and inspires me for what is yet to come.

Inspiring Veeva Events

Why was June so inspiring? To start the month, I attended the Veeva R&D and Quality Summit in Madrid and the Veeva Consumer Products Summit in Amsterdam. These Summits were focused on strategic discussions in Quality, Safety, and Regulatory transformation challenges. I found that my experience from previous industry roles in research and development in the food and beverage market (I spent over 15 years with Unilever), along with my more recent work in the Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical regulatory market (10+ years) provided me with a unique understanding of the challenges you are facing in the Consumer Products industry.

The Consumer Products industry has reached a similar point in their technology journey, searching for a single source of truth, and the lessons that I have learned in the Life Science sector provide substantial benefits in the following ways:

·        My past skills and experience in this industry can be immediately leveraged to provide consultative guidance in planning complex system implementation and migration initiatives.

·        I can support expanded conversations beyond talking points and technical jargon into real-life pitfalls and substantial possibilities within the RIM vendor platform.

·        Quite simply, I have lived in your space – I understand the challenges from product development through commercialization.

How do you get more out of your RIM system?

Investing in a RIM system is a strategic move for organizations, with its significance extending beyond the immediate regulatory function. The true value of RIM platforms emerges when they transcend mere content collation and agency submission management. The potency and transformative impact of a RIM platform becomes apparent when it delivers rich and comprehensive knowledge, making it accessible across the entire organization. When Regulatory, Quality, and Safety information is holistically stored and managed, strategic teams gain the ability to construct a nuanced understanding of market trends, identify adverse events, and pinpoint gaps in market coverage.

Elevating visibility beyond individual silos is a game-changer, providing C-level executives with a complete view of organizational dynamics. This thorough perspective empowers executives to make informed decisions swiftly, expediting the process of bringing products to market.

Realizing the broader benefits of a RIM platform necessitates the formulation of a clear yet flexible digitization roadmap. Building on a sound data ‘bedrock’ is critical, establishing the right infrastructure and software platform to support smart, digitized information use and process efficiency. This foundation enables strategic compliance with evolving regulations and creates room for targeted adoption of AI and other technological advancements, ensuring the system’s relevance and value for at least the next five years.

Whether the strategic goal involves improved high-level decision support or leveraging Generative AI for routine, low-risk content creation, trust is paramount. Professionals must have confidence in the validity, quality, currency, completeness, and consistency of the information harnessed from the RIM system to effectively drive organizational goals.

Understand what you need from your RIM system and technology partner.

Every RIM and content management solution, and technology partner, has its own features and benefits, and selecting the right fit will depend on the size and complexity of your organization as well as your future business goals.

Consider the following… 

As a company, you do not produce all the raw materials that go into the production of your product. You select and assemble the best ingredients to produce and deliver your product in the most cost-effective way.

It is the same for your technology solutions and partners. Should you expect a single vendor to provide a complete end-to-end solution that amazingly fits your unique needs when procuring a technology platform? No. It is far more effective to define your requirements, and identify technology and partners with their own capabilities, strengths, and experience that aligns with your needs, and allows all vendors to concentrate on delivering a solution that is compliant with all regulatory requirements. Your technology vendor should not have to provide data assessment and migration services – these are a unique set of skills that are available from experienced specialists. It is your partners with a proven track record of meeting these needs that will de-risk your digital transformation.

Evaluating your potential new technology and partners, as well as understanding what qualifies are required for the full scope of your project, is critical. Your program will require much more than simple configuration: consideration should be given to initial program management, business process and data analysis, integration, data and/or content migration, and post-implementation support. Many decision-makers are swayed by a vendor that appears to offer a full end-to-end solution and services that seem to be packaged with all the associated services. But if those services are all designed around that company’s own product, how can they be sure they’re getting unbiased advice for a futureproof investment? That is an exceptional level of trust for such a large and business critical investment.

Choose a partner focused on your needs

Instead of choosing a platform provider based on the promise of an end-to-end service, strategic companies choose knowledgeable and certified technology partners that are 100% focused on their unique business challenges and vision.

As an independent service provider, fme doesn’t have a vested interest in recommending any particular RIM or content management vendor or platform. My consultative approach will help optimize the selection, delivery, and output of the system of choice. With proven strategies, fme helps companies navigate the complex minefield of vendors and technology options. Not only do we clarify and define your unique requirements, but we also hold extensive experience with all the leading RIM platforms, along with deep insights into where these fit best relative to the type and size of the organization and its specific priorities. We help companies select and implement solutions that fit their needs in the short- and long-term, solving today’s challenges, manage and maintain those solutions as they grow, and establish a pathway for continual improvement as technology evolves.

Conclusion

Whatever your digitization objectives, my business and technology industry knowledge can advise on assess and maximize the ROI of your plans. Whether you are planning a stand-alone project or incorporating an initiative within the context of other ongoing projects, I can help you align your business strategy, technology, and priorities as well unique understanding of platform vendors.

Please reach out to me directly i.crone@fme.de so that I can help you plan for 2025 projects, and maximise the success of your RIM project implementation whilst preventing potential risks, so that your project is delivered and implemented on time and in budget.