Laboratory and Manufacturing Enterprise Technology Assets Management

[Birhanu]

With the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) assets, there is a growing need for managing all Technology Assets on an integrated solution. ServiceNow's Enterprise Asset Management capability has offered a framework to manage all Technology Assets under one roof. 

Efficient Laboratory and Manufacturing Technology asset management can take advantage of harmonized and integrated management of IT and OT assets. Our team has experience advising major global pharmaceuticals on Enterprise Technology assets management. 

We have showcased innovative implementations of Enterprise Technology Asset Management videos with specific focus on components of the processes. Here is a link to one of our posts that showcases OT Hardware Asset Provisioning, showcasing Laboratory OT Assets Management. 

Could you share specific challenges that you may have experienced in leveraging ServiceNow's Asset Management capabilities to manage technology assets for Life Sciences companies?

[PavanKhaladkar]

Here is some specific challenges that Life Sciences companies might encounter when leveraging ServiceNow's Asset Management capabilities to manage technology assets:

• Regulatory Compliance

Life Sciences companies are heavily regulated, and ensuring that all IT and OT assets comply with various regulations (like FDA, EMA, etc.) can be complex. ServiceNow's Asset Management system needs to be configured to support these compliance requirements, including proper documentation, audit trails, and validation.

• Integration with Legacy Systems

Many Life Sciences companies have existing legacy systems for managing their laboratory and manufacturing assets. Integrating these legacy systems with ServiceNow can be challenging, requiring custom connectors or middleware to ensure seamless data flow and synchronization.

• Data Accuracy and Quality

Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of all technology assets is crucial. Life Sciences companies often deal with a large volume of assets, and ensuring data accuracy across all records, including the status, location, and maintenance schedules of assets, can be difficult. Implementing rigorous data governance practices within ServiceNow is essential.

• Asset Lifecycle Management

Managing the entire lifecycle of both IT and OT assets—from procurement to disposal—requires a robust process. Life Sciences companies need to ensure that ServiceNow's Asset Management module is configured to handle the specific lifecycle stages and requirements for laboratory and manufacturing equipment.

• Security and Access Control

Given the sensitive nature of data and the critical role of laboratory and manufacturing technology assets, ensuring that ServiceNow's Asset Management module has stringent security measures and access controls in place is vital. This includes role-based access, encryption, and compliance with industry-specific security standards.

• Customization and Scalability

Life Sciences companies often have unique requirements that necessitate customization of the Asset Management module. Ensuring that these customizations do not hinder scalability and future upgrades of the ServiceNow platform can be challenging.

• Change Management

Implementing a new Asset Management system involves significant changes in processes and workflows. Ensuring that all stakeholders, including laboratory and manufacturing staff, are trained and onboarded effectively can be a challenge. Effective change management strategies are required to facilitate smooth adoption.

• Real-Time Monitoring and Maintenance

For OT assets, real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance are critical to prevent downtime and ensure operational efficiency. Integrating ServiceNow with IoT devices and sensors to enable real-time asset monitoring and predictive maintenance can be complex.

• Scalability of OT Asset Management

OT assets, such as specialized laboratory equipment, often require detailed tracking and specific maintenance schedules. Scaling the management of these assets across multiple sites and geographies while ensuring consistency and standardization can be a significant challenge.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

Effective asset management requires collaboration across IT, OT, and business functions. Ensuring that ServiceNow facilitates seamless communication and collaboration between these diverse teams is essential for successful asset management.

By addressing these challenges with tailored configurations, integrations, and best practices, Life Sciences companies can effectively leverage ServiceNow's Asset Management capabilities to manage their technology assets efficiently.