Co-innovation is different from implementing an existing SAP product. It’s all about forming a partnership that has value on both sides. Where common goals are shared and, certainly in the Life Sciences industry, the need to make a lasting impact for patients is critical.
This was the case when we co-innovated SAP Batch Release Hub for Life Sciences with SAP. They were developing a Life Sciences-specific solution for leading clients, one that would automate the batch release process. SAP were looking for partners that understood both sides of the equation.
But what’s the story behind SAP Batch Release Hub and why did SAP choose Tenthpin? With the latest release now available, we’re taking a step into the past to look at challenges that were slowing down the batch release process in Life Sciences organizations, how the issues led to the first stages of co-innovation, and the impact that SAP Batch Release Hub has had on the Life Sciences sector.
Batch release was ready for a new approach
Before jumping into the co-innovation phase, we need to go back further. Way further. The batch release process before SAP Batch Release Hub to be precise. It was a critical process riddled with complexity. The traditional batch release used to look like this:
- Release decisions depending on data and checks across multiple systems
- Teams spending significant time collecting, validating and reviewing information
- Processes varying across multiple sites and organizations
- Manual handoffs and fragmented information slowing release without adding value
- Processes remaining highly controlled and compliant
- Complex internal developments that were custom built (no industry standard solution)
How could SAP help Life Sciences organizations make batch release more connected, efficient and transparent? All without compromising the control required in a highly regulated environment, arguably one of the biggest challenges in this sector?
SAP needed a partner that understood the problem deeply enough to help define the solution itself. A partner that wasn’t just brought in simply to implement an existing solution. Someone who understood that the status quo needed to be brushed aside to enable an automated and simplified batch release process for SAP’s clients and other industry leaders.
How an industry problem led to SAP co-innovation
With the challenges isolated, the next step was development. Tenthpin worked with SAP during the early co-innovation phase to help define industry best practices. But more than that, to ensure SAP Batch Release Hub addressed genuine operational challenges within the Life Sciences.
SAP came to us, because we had the deep understanding of the batch release area that they were looking for. We knew where the gaps in the process were. The pain points that came up time and time again in calls with clients. Our experts were brought to provide a neutral input on industry best practices.
We contributed additional aspects alongside the other industry partners. Past expertise and business process knowledge proved to be crucial and easily complemented prior insights of SAP and their partners.
Four areas of expertise were particularly important:
1. Experience with batch management and release
Years of experience working with batch management and release processes provided a practical understanding of the release lifecycle. This helped identify where processes could be standardized, where automation could add value, and where real-world operational requirements needed to be reflected in the solution.
2. Understanding of quality and Qualified Person requirements
Batch release sits at the intersection of manufacturing, quality, and regulatory requirements. A strong understanding of Quality Management processes and Qualified Person responsibilities helped ensure that the solution reflected the controls, documentation, and decision-making required in a highly regulated space like Life Sciences.
3. Knowledge of the systems and processes surrounding batch release
Batch release does not happen in isolation. It relies on data, workflows, quality processes, manufacturing systems, and multiple stakeholders working together. Understanding these dependencies helped bring a broader perspective to the solution and ensure SAP Batch Release Hub could fit into the wider operational landscape.
4. Deep Life Sciences process expertise and insights from working directly with leading Life Sciences organizations
Experience across leading Life Sciences organizations brought a practical view of how batch release works in different operating environments. It also provided insight into the recurring challenges, variations, and opportunities for improvement that Life Sciences organizations face in practice. This helped to distinguish genuine industry needs from theoretical requirements.
So, what changed for the clients?
Working together on a co-innovation is one step, but measuring success is another. After SAP Batch Release Hub had been developed and tested, it was time to see the platform’s real impact on the batch release process. Comparing it to the batch release process before SAP Batch Release Hub (data scattered across systems, manual checks, limited visibility, etc) was the best method to ascertain its effectiveness. We weren’t disappointed.
What we found was that SAP Batch Release Hub, when integrated, delivered the following for SAP’s clients:
- Greater transparency into the batch release process, resulting in faster cycle times
- Connected information, like real time insights into status and urgency of release decision items
- More streamlined release workflows with a significant reduction in human errors
- People spending more time making critical decisions and less time gathering data
But the main benefits don’t just end there. We have to talk about the Qualified Person and release decision-maker that used to be undermined by the old batch release process. The individual who struggled through hours of mundane manual effort. With SAP Batch Release Hub, the person responsible for releasing a batch can get the information they need, perform the required checks, and make a controlled decision more efficiently. All in one platform.
Surely, that’s one of the biggest benefits of all?
SAP Batch Release Hub has progressed to the next stages
Innovation is key. But so is enhancement. SAP Batch Release Hub was developed for the landscape and the needs of a few years ago. Now, the latest release, SAP Batch Release Hub 2605, is available for the current landscape. With several enhancements focused on flexibility, scalability, and compliance, SAP Batch Release Hub 2605 adds:
- Broader integration
- Greater automation
- New release capabilities
- Additional release checks
- Certificate-related capabilities
- Support for different batch release scenarios
- Developments around AI and the future Batch Release Assistant
Is this the end of our co-innovation story with SAP? Of course not. SAP Batch Release Hub 2605 is the result of an ongoing process of listening to the industry, learning from real-world requirements and evolving the batch release solution. That’s a process with no finish line. We’re eager to see what impact SAP Batch Release Hub 2605 will have for our clients, especially with the movement towards AI. Most importantly, we’ll be working with SAP to ensure that more future releases meet the high standards that are expected. Watch this space!
Conclusion
When it comes to SAP Batch Release Hub and the batch release process in Life Sciences, reducing complexity has been at the forefront of our co-innovation. Ensuring that medicinal products meet the high safety, identity, and regulatory standards before going to market is critical for every part of the value chain.
We’ve seen the change that our co-innovation has brought to the batch release process, and we look forward to continuing enhancing SAP Batch Release Hub jointly with SAP and Life Sciences industry leaders. With deep Life Sciences expertise powering software solutions that bring life-saving medicines to patients faster.
And since SAP Batch Release Hub, we have been co-innovating with SAP for some years now, including on SAP Intelligent Clinical Supply Management and SAP Advanced Therapy Orchestration. We look forward to the future of our co-innovation partnership.
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