Biotechnologists discover a technical gem in FOXit, Microsoft solutions

FOXit (Pty) Ltd. (FOXit) has deployed a Microsoft-based Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) technology to help its client Deltamune address performance and scalability issues with existing software programs.

The installation of the Microsoft Project and Portfolio Management (PPM) solution, Nintex Workflow 2010 for SharePoint and Project Server, as well as a SharePoint Server 2010 document management solution, is still in process but has already resulted in a massive improvement in operational efficiency.

Deltamune is a South African-based biotechnology company focused on veterinary and public health solutions.

The company operates from various locations with its head office and test laboratory services in Centurion and a test laboratory in Oudtshoorn.

Its animal health products manufacturing facility, product development team and animal facilities are located North-East of Pretoria.

Management at the company wanted a more efficient and cost effective solution to fulfil its project management requirements especially within the Research and Development and production environments. It also required new systems to replace outdated and inadequate software programs to manage their Total Quality Management System.

The software programs Deltamune used were not adaptable to changing processes, were not user friendly and not entirely compatible with the company’s IT hardware and software infrastructure.

In practice, off-site access was cumbersome and slow – a distinct disadvantage considering the company’s expansion to other sites and other regions.

“A new solution was required to address this inflexibility and inaccessibility”, says company CEO, Dr. Hannes Swart.

To do this, Deltamune sought out the services of a partner with the right credentials, one that had the experience and knowledge to meet its unique requirements within a reasonable budget.

“A prospective partner had to understand how to get people from geographically dispersed areas to connect and work together,” explains Dr. Swart.

FOXit was brought on board as the partner of choice to help coordinate consultants and oversee the integration of the solution.

A cloud solution

The solution is cloud-based and enables fast and easy access from all Deltamune locations and offsite for TQMS and projects environments.

Service providers had to be aware of the main challenge to retain some of the previous functionalities required for a continuous transition, whilst still facilitating the use of the technology’s unique features for document searching and indexing.

There was also a requirement to fully automate the project environment using the PPM solution.

“FOXit and their consultants remained committed to the agreed timelines and proposed a workable solution by dividing the project into three phases. Work sessions were scheduled with our personnel for the establishment of workflows and setting up of metadata. Extra effort was made to ensure complete understanding of our requirements and to find user-friendly workable solutions,” says Dr. Swart.

According to Deltamune management all indications are that this solution will be more user-friendly. The investment is expected to enhance efficiency and lead to better business productivity.

“We are very proud of our involvement in this project and the role that these proven solutions have played in helping Deltamune overcome their difficulties and enhance mission-critical operations,” says Aldo van Tonder, CEO at FOXit


www.foxit.co.za

This article was originally posted on Africa ICT & Telecom Network

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