With data flowing, production is running

Data-driven solutions play a decisive role in this. They are commonly referred to as "Pharma 4.0" and are subject to different customer interpretations. To some, it means eliminating the use of paper in production; to others, it means to manage manufacturing processes nearly without personnel in the factory. "That's where we come in exactly," says Kevin Hillmann, Head of Digitization in the Körber Business Area Pharma. "Initially, we find out precisely what the customer needs, which areas they would like to change." Subsequently, we examine the prerequisites and potentials along with specific measures to achieve the intended goal.

"We are past the time of trial and error," says Hillmann. "Everyone in the industry has recognized the need to digitize operations as much as possible and to become more efficient." From its early attempts, digitization has now become a cornerstone of the business strategy on the customer side. However, the speed and extent to which this is implemented vary. While some are still at the very beginning of their digitization efforts, others are already thinking about their first dark factory.

It's a very extensive promise that we at Körber make to our customers: with our digital solutions, efficiency can be increased, the highest quality of production can be achieved, and the availability of machinery can be increased due to the reduction of downtime. Hillmann: "All this is based on the collection of data, i. e. information in digital form, linking human knowledge with machine knowledge." Pharma 4.0 is about the intelligent networking of people, machines, and processes - ultimately, it's all for the patient. "Our strength in this context is the interoperability of our systems, which do not only interact seamlessly with all our machines and applications but also with those of external providers such as our competitors." 

On the road to digitalization, we at Körber see ourselves as a holistic partner and ecosystem provider for our customers. So, in addition to physical products such as our machines, we offer interoperable software applications and pharma-specific and cross-industry consulting services. But above all, we have the expertise, skills, and network to shape the digital transformation with our customers. As a result, companies no longer have to do everything independently, regardless of size. They can instead become part of our integrated ecosystem. 

If companies want to benefit from Pharma 4.0, they need to digitize their business models holistically on a long-term basis. Körber's modular system for designing its standalone solutions allows companies to enter the digitization process at different levels. At times it is data analysis to identify the efficiency of individual machines or to enhance certain manufacturing lines. In other cases, it is a matter of adapting the entire processes in a plant or optimizing several locations worldwide. Due to the wide range of options, customers can gradually develop digitally at their own pace and according to their abilities, regardless of whether it's a globally acting drug manufacturer or a national pharmaceutical producer.

We include customers in all processes and ensure that only those aspects are implemented that actually benefit them and their employees on the shop floor. "Holistic consulting is the top priority," says Hillmann. "Digital products are complex and require explanation. We find solutions for their transformation by walking the path together with customers." We at Körber are always thinking one step ahead in the process: Only when we know where the journey will go we are able to show the way to others.

That's why we are actively shaping production today and, thus, tomorrow's market. Take artificial intelligence for quality-related processes; for example: "B.R.AI.N" is an end-to-end AI solution that improves the performance of inspection machines. As a result, costs for follow-up tests are reduced, and patients' safety increases.

AI is also FactoryPal's key technology. This Körber venture offers software solutions for the manufacturing industry based on machine learning and artificial intelligence. The technology allows previously unused machine data to be analyzed and more cost-effective workflows to be implemented. The result, for example, is reduced energy consumption or increased machine effectiveness. “With FactoryPal, we are able to make factories worldwide more efficient,” says Kevin Hillmann. Its unique feature: "Our solutions operate across industries and manufacturers as a building block of an integrated ecosystem. So we create real added value for customers."  

One example is the installation of a cloud-based software solution for a pharmaceutical manufacturer. To boost efficiency in production, it was required to record the performance data of a non-Körber machine purchased from a major competitor. Initially, all relevant performance data were collected in real-time. Once they had been analyzed, it was possible to make specific improvements to the production process and the machine's configuration."

Of course, there is not only our equipment installed in factories worldwide," says Hillmann. "Neither are they exclusively new machines or production halls that have just been built recently. Hence, with our digital solutions, we consider that they can also be connected to any other production line, whether new or already showing its age."

When it comes to data security and data maintenance, Körber's consulting services are intensely focused, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry. Questions arise, such as: Who has access to the data? What guidelines or regulatory frameworks need to be observed? How is the data archived, for how long, and where? Customers have a say in how the information is stored. "Our customers can decide whether their data is to be kept in the U.S., Europe, or Asia," says Hillmann. "But also how granular that information should be processed."

All Körber products meet the highest IT security standards. In addition, there is Körber's internal Cyber Defense Center, which monitors the company's systems and identifies potential threats at an early stage and ongoing. Data is gathered with complete transparency, so customers always know exactly how and for what purpose information is collected. 

The scope of consulting in the pharmaceutical industry is large, and the level of expertise in Körber's Business Area Pharma is high. It covers machine and plant qualification, validation consulting, support for manufacturing execution systems (MES), supply chain management, and data integrity.

Even more digital expertise has come in-house with the acquisition of a majority stake in DAIN Studios, a consulting company focused on artificial intelligence. Körber has thus not only succeeded in expanding its solution expertise in the field of AI: First and foremost, DAIN Studios is dedicated to addressing the fundamental challenges a company faces in digitization. Ranging from developing a data strategy to implementing it. Hillmann: "Today, we are positioned to accompany our customers to a data-driven organization."