CLOUD COMPUTING IN FMCG AND PHARMA INDUSTRY
cLOUD
COMPUTING IN FMCG AND PHARMa INDUSTRY
Cloud computing is a type of Internet- based computing that provides shared
computer processing resources and data to computers and other devices on
demand. It is a model for enabling ubiquitous, on-demand access to a shared
pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., computer networks, servers,
storage, applications and services) which can be rapidly provisioned and
released with minimal management effort. Cloud computing and storage solutions
provide users and enterprises with various capabilities to store and process
their data in either privately owned, or third-party data center that may be located far from the
user–ranging in distance from across a city to across the world. Cloud
computing relies on sharing of resources to achieve coherence and economy of scale, similar to a utility (like the electricity grid) over an electricity network.
A vertical
market or vertical is engaged in trade based on specific and specialized needs
where competition is within a well-defined segment. Fast Moving Consumer Goods
(FMCG) – or Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) is a vertical that fulfill the
primary needs of consumers. Each one of us uses fast moving consumer products
every day such as dairy products and baked goods, cosmetics, teeth cleaning
products, and shaving products.
Dynamics such as
rapid urbanization, global exposure etc. in FMCG sector has created new
challenges; thus business intelligence has become a new mantra for FMCG sector,
which leads to intelligent business. Enterprise content management also plays a
vital role in supporting analytics. Along with benefits, usage of technology
comes with certain barriers such as cost, efficient utilization, feasibility
etc.
Advent of Cloud
Computing has changed the scenario for all kinds of companies in FMCG sector.
Combination of BI and ECM, popularly known as Enterprise Information Management
(EIM) is considered as future trend and with Cloud computing, it will bring
huge change in FMCG sector by addressing various dynamics which are seen as
roadblock in the potential growth of the FMCG sector.
Cloud computing
can be a key enabler for BI and ECM in FMCG Sector for the following reasons:
·
Data is moving into
the cloud; mainly, with the burst of Cloud Storage options and RDBMS
availability in the cloud. Shared architecture philosophy, on the other hand,
does support elastic scalability. It also supports other cloud objectives such
as lower costs for resources, maintenance, tuning and support, less operational
expenses.
·
Data workloads are
becoming increasingly weighty.
·
Analytical and
Reporting applications need to be used as service to meet the varied demands.
·
BI technology needs to
be experienced in enterprises before full acceptance and for this sandbox
testing cloud is the best choice.
·
Computing and data
storage resources can be planned in incremental basis according to the need and
successful execution of proof of concepts in Cloud and paid as per usage.
STARiENGINEERING
http://starisales.com/Account believes
The FMCG sector in particular will enjoy EIM capabilities on cloud, on-premises
or managed via outsourcers. Cloud computing is starting to change the scenario
for EIM based on potential cost savings and technology benefits. Organizations
can establish Cloud, BI and ECM practice. There is a potential for offering
services to valued customers in the area of Cloud based EIM services in FMCG
sector as well as other verticals also. It is better to build Proof of Concepts
to start with and then it can be enhanced as a service offering. Dedicated EIM
Service to cater to the companies in FMCG sector and other verticals looking
for such services will be in demand for next few years.
STARiENGINEERING http://starisales.com/Account
analyze that Pharma is known for its late adoption of new technologies. The
industry thoroughly studies risks, pros and cons, etc., before adopting any new
technology. But now as companies are being compelled to streamline their
process and reduce costs, they are finding new ways to optimize complex
processes by adopting cloud computing. The benefits of the cloud “pay as you
go” model, low capital investment and low run costs will drive innovation in
products and bundled services quick to the market.
Over
the last 10 years the technology industry has changed dramatically; there is
advancement in technology, but the manufacturing industry is facing business
challenges centered on improving performance of applications and infrastructure
while controlling the cost of doing business. One ray of hope for controlling
industry’s mounting challenges is Cloud computing. Pharma enterprises are
trying cloud analytics, automation and marketing, and exploring the benefits of
emerging technologies .
Cloud software solutions
are taking on several different tasks in the pharmaceutical industry. Its
implementation can mean improving the quality of data to support sales, or
providing practical ways for clinical trial site managers to communicate across
wide geographic divides. It’s also making it easier for companies to merge
without the problems that invariably arise when data between disparate computer
systems is aggregated . But looking ahead, there are also some
intriguing applications that involve combining the cloud with big data from
public and private sources and applying analytics.
To make the best use of
the existing systems, sales force need most up to date and accurate information
about stocks of the product, physicians contact details, social media networks
they favor and whether their practices are accepted and very importantly help
in avoid duplications.
In addition sales force,
shares databases that are helping drug developers and manufacturing identify
principal investigators. Principal investigator contact details used to be
considered proprietary information. Regardless, there are a number of risks and
challenges Pharma faces when it comes to adopting cloud-based computing
solutions:
·
Data/Information
Security (VPN and Encryption) because the industry is highly regulated
·
The other risk need to
be considered in service provider as they don’t understand Pharma security
and regulatory requirements
·
Data migration problems
when changing the cloud provider (security validation, etc.), since the validation
of the system involves rigorous process
·
Surveillance of the
internet, due to spying on people private data, the regulatory agency will come
under pressure to do more to protect' private data. The agency will tighten
data protection laws. So they will come out with strong solution information
technology industry can offer alternatives ideas to be explored, like secure
cloud computing and better links between technologies.
·
Requirement on GxP -The service provider
provides capabilities to facilitate the validation of Pharma specific solution
using the cloud service. The validation remains accountability of Pharma and
needs to be defined in a validation plan.
·
Risk Management - Vendor
transparence and audits are “must.” Legal, compliance, and reputation risks.
Cloud vendors leaking, breaching, losing, damaging, or impeding access to
various types of sensitive or valuable information.
·
Operational risks - IT
security, performance, or availability with strong encryption, access control,
monitoring, and physical separation of resources.
·
Security incidents -
Most logs and documentation is in the control of the cloud provider. The
cloud user will rarely have access to this data to determine security
incidents.
·
In shared environments
the irreversible erasure or anonymization of data is difficult and since the
cloud user has not access to the computing environment, it cannot be verified.
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