I'm looking for facts, personal opinions, myths and complaints regarding various asset management software that is commercially available and in use. I'm especially interested in personal experiences with using this software In a regulated environment such as the pharmaceutical industry.
We are currently using Fluke Met/Track and are not completely satisfied with it. The biggest problem is its lack of 21 CFR part 11 compliance. An option we are considering is Blue Mountain Calibration Manager. Does anyone have any personal experience with Cal Manager or maybe Mudcats Metrology Suite? Any others?
Our major requirements are security, audit trails, ability to be validated, ease of use, flexibility, report generation capabilities, reasonably priced and ability to work across an intranet to satellite locations.
Anybody????
I'm in the boat with you, Dave. I asked this very question on this site a while ago, to no avail. My pharmaceutical company is looking for the same deal. We're using Maximo for all our preventive maintenance items, but need a better system for calibration work. We have all the same requirements you do... Please keep me in the loop as you learn more...
Thanks InLikeFlynn. I can't believe that nobody wants to gripe about how bad their software is, or how great a job the one they just changed to is doing.
Quote from: OlDave on 03-18-2006 -- 06:37:56
Thanks InLikeFlynn. I can't believe that nobody wants to gripe about how bad their software is, or how great a job the one they just changed to is doing.
We use that same tired piece of crap that Happy Valley uses. We fall under Avionics and have to use their Maximo based maintenance program. :cry:
Sorry man, contract AF PMEL...and all the limitations that go with that! :cry:
Also all the fun and chicks! :-D
MIRCS,
Any progress with your software? Nothing new on my end, but it'll get more attention later this Spring or Summer...
Quote from: docbyers on 04-04-2006 -- 08:33:57
MIRCS,
Any progress with your software? Nothing new on my end, but it'll get more attention later this Spring or Summer...
Nope....................................we were just told to expect SAP :cry:
I believe it has already crashed the entire system a few times at the test plant. :oops: :cry:
I believe we are now much happier with MetTrack than ever before........but we will change soon.......hopefully not to SAP.
it's that 100k+ price tag that keeps things in check and using out dated programs.....though the day we go paperless.....i believe that will be 3048a.d..............they will spend the money
SAP = Satan's Accounting Program
Procter & Gamble converted to SAP, and I could tell you some horror stories that may make you think twice about buying that software...
We currently use LabMate here. It's old. I remember it was supposed to be the bomb back when I worked for Georgia Power Metrology Lab. I 'm not impressed with it. InLikeFlynn is right. Contact CMI in Warner Robins GA. They are actually a cal lab that created their own software and sell it.
Quote from: flew-da-coup on 04-04-2006 -- 11:56:38
We currently use LabMate here. It's old. I remember it was supposed to be the bomb back when I worked for Georgia Power Metrology Lab. I 'm not impressed with it. InLikeFlynn is right. Contact CMI in Warner Robins GA. They are actually a cal lab that created their own software and sell it.
Well does it meet the 21 CFR Part 11 compliance issues?????
If so I would contact them.
On the SAP conversion......talk to Hospira about that, they have some wild guess it will work for calibration........... :|
At my former pharma facility, "we" ditched a 5 year effort to get a real Cal Software package for SAP (by Corporate direction). We were the Beta site for SAP to develop a calibration module. They combined the QC module (set up for the analytical labs) and the maintenance module, did a few of the dreaded code changes and disappeared. The problems we were faced with were numerous.
1. No real reverse-traceability, you have to get your SAP Power-user to attempt a work-around.
2. You have to share databases with maintenance and hope they don't screw up your "side". It is only seperated by a letter, C for Calibration, M for Maintenance. We share responsibilities on several systems.
3. Being work-order based, you literally double the time spent closing work orders because you have to constantly flip back and forth between modules. Each action taken was a seperate line item to close, ex. a chart recorder w/ temp and hum, 4 channels, 1 action for each, 1 action for each tech involved, etc. You could realistically spend 3x the man-hours closing a workorder vs. doing the job. VERY labor-intensive. This also resulted in increased , and admittedly, unneeded headcount.
4. Once the system is in place and turned over to the user (typically the plant, not just calibration ), and changes that are needed because calibratyion concerns are always disregarded, now require change-control. Change-Control for software systems in the Pharma Industry are usu. avoided at all costs.
AVOID IT LIKE THE PLAGUE if you can!
My new Pharma facility is getting ready to convert all of our sites to Blue Mountain's Enterprise system. Web-based, central server amintained at Corporate, local modifications and their Crystal Reports are fairly easy to use and are customizable. I haven't seen all of the bells and whistles yet, but I can post what else I learn if there's interest.
Thanks for the analysis, Gator!
By all means let us know how your Blue Mountain adventure works. Out of everything I've seen so far, their package looks the most promising, user-friendly, 21 CFR Part 11 compliant, etc...
Just an update on a long overdue project. I will be leaving for CA next week to coordinate with our sister sights on CALMAN Enterprise implementation. After several months of trading the project off to various Corp. ITs, we finally are doing something. Finalization of user requirements, installation schedule, etc. to discuss. Good thing too. Corp, IT seems to think that reports are unnecessary, each site should use out-of-the-box forms, zero customization and revrse-traceability can be another project down the road. Many decisions made with zero input from any of the Cal/Metrology labs including the one there at Corp.
Lots of "discussions" ahead, but at least we are moving in the right direction. It's a week long meeting which will include 2 days oy trainng from Blue Mountain. I can give you a better feel for the system after that.