Expertise in Synergy - Glatt

Test Instruments / Customer Data Base
When like us owning more than 150 test
instruments along with all required ancillaries,
relevant logistics for their use is
required. Therefore, we have developed
our own test instruments / customer data
base, in order to simplify our project management
and minimize time and cost.
Previous to now, test instrument applications
were manually logged; meaning staff
had to have a thorough knowledge of
each and every instrument, be able to
ascertain and select the most suited for
each individual application from relevant
operation instructions, which consumed a
considerable amount of time. Hence, we
decided to:
l Minimize the time for selecting instruments
l Simplify the coordination
l Improve versatility and reaction time
l Automize annual SCS calls due for certification
We achieved our target and as such set
an important milestone in our calibration
record. Since the past few months the
database has been in use, we have noticed
dramatic improvements in the motivation
of our staff. The biggest benefits
however are the acquired cost savings for
the customer, due to the above mentioned
achievements. For ourselves, we have
undoubtedly increased our competitiveness.
Fig. 1 Location schedule for test instruments
By Vito Cerone, Pharmatronic AG
Fig. 2 Customer and equipment schedule
With reference to the customer database;
annual required calibrations were in the
past coordinated by means of Excel
datasheets, in order to relieve our customers
the burden and at the same time
administrate the important calibration data
ourselves. To improve on this procedure
we were aiming to:
l Create an automatic reminder for each
piece of equipment to be calibrated or
on-site instrument
l Automatic information to the customer,
incl. a relevant offer
l Survey on the number of calibrations
l Survey on the actual calibration units
l Prevent overlapping of required instruments
to effect the calibration.
We have been using the above approach
a few years now, to the utter satisfaction
of our customers, who no longer have
to request calibration. We know the entire
scope of our required services in advance,
and are therefore able to continually
provide exact quotations and reliably
predict how long the service will take.
IMPROVEMENT BY INNOVATION
Vito Cerone is a qualified Automation Technician
specializing in Operation Management
and now works at Pharmatronic as a Service
Coordinator.
Contact: vito.cerone@pharmatronic.ch
International Times No. 27 · March 2009
5