Resources ## Breadcrumb 1. [Home](/) 2. [Resources](/resources/resource-center) 3. [Resource Center](/resources/resource-center) # Delivery Issues and High TCO Prompt Generics Pharma to Switch to TraceLink ![banner-image](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/_global-asset/images/insights/manufacturer-line-vials-tracelink.jpg) - [Download PDF](/node/15481/pdf) - [Share](#) - [ LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.tracelink.com/resources/resource-center/delivery-issues-and-high-tco-prompt-generics-pharma-to-switch-to-tracelink&title=Delivery Issues and High TCO Prompt Generics Pharma to Switch to TraceLink&summary=Needing to get control of spiraling infrastructure costs, one pharma switched to TraceLink for serialization. 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Up to that point, the parent company’s solution vendor, Axway, had been unable to meet many of their functional requirements and timelines, and the acquired company had been struggling with an SAP implementation from their previous owner. Given these pre-existing concerns, and with the company now doubling in size, they agreed a new approach was needed to address the tens of millions of serial numbers they would be jointly commissioning annually. To avoid further delays and risks, the growing business switched entirely to TraceLink for full-stack serialization, including the TraceLink Edge Track solution for managing serialization in the distribution process. ## Four critical shortcomings There were several key factors that spurred the company to look for a new serialization solution provider: **• Massive infrastructure costs** Relying on an on-premises architecture meant that the company had to make a significant investment in hardware infrastructure in order to support their serial number volumes, and would only have to invest more to store the tens of millions of serial numbers they were adding as a result of their acquisition. **• Inability to scale for serialization performance** The [relational database](/insights/a-make-or-break-decision-choosing-the-right-serialization-technology-for-revenue-operational-and-brand-success "A-Make-or-Break Decision whitepaper") architecture of the parent company’s vendor was struggling to process lot-level transactions, in which a batch shipment of 10,000 units requires just four transactions. This led to concerns about their ability to manage serialization—the same batch requires 60,000 serialization transactions to be updated for every single unit. To keep up with processing, the manufacturer’s only option would have been to spend more to acquire bigger, more powerful hardware. **• Inefficient partner and packaging line connectivity** Creating point-to-point connections with each CMO was taking longer than expected, and the acquisition meant six additional CMOs were being added to the list. In addition, establishing connectivity to the company’s internal packaging lines was not successful and far behind schedule. **• Lack of committed vendor resources** The parent company’s vendor was unable to provide adequate resources to custom build new functionality for serial number provisioning changes without a several-month delay. ## Decision driver: Scalability at lower overall cost When the company decided to reassess their vendor options, they quickly ruled out SAP based on the acquired company’s experience where the AII/OER solution had problems processing serial numbers. A leading independent systems integrator serving as an advisor for merger-related IT strategy cautioned them against using the new ATTP platform as an unproven system. The company ultimately chose TraceLink for its ability to address all of their needs, including: **• Lowest total cost of ownership** By using a native cloud-computing, network-tenant architecture, TraceLink addresses many of the unpredictable costs of serialization within an all-inclusive subscription model, eliminating separate line items and unpredictable costs. Regardless of project size, TraceLink consistently delivers lower TCO than any other single-tenant or on-premises alternative. **• Measurable performance and scalability gains** Implementing a solution that can manage the massive amounts of serialization data and transactions is critical to getting product out the door and maintaining operational efficiencies. TraceLink uses a NoSQL database in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud that distributes workload across many machines for virtually limitless scalability and continuous data availability. This unique approach to speed, scalability, and efficiency allows TraceLink to add real-time processing power as needed for unrivaled benchmark results: - Provision 100K random serial numbers in 56 seconds. - Commission 100K serial numbers in under 1 minute. - Send 100K DSCSA-compliant messages in 50 seconds. - Total process, provision to reporting, of 5 minutes. - Read 150K serial numbers per second. - Write 10K serial numbers per second. **• Rapid CMO connectivity** The TraceLink network approach allows customers to integrate once, then interoperate with all 283,000+ supply chain businesses that are on the network, eliminating the need for point-to-point connections. When the company turned to TraceLink, they found that 70% of their CMO partners were already on the network, saving them valuable time. In addition, TraceLink has an entire team dedicated to working with customers’ partners, managing a lot of the implementation work so that companies don’t have to tackle it themselves. The company in turn also serves as a CMO to multiple brand owners. In their CMO capacity, they were able to follow the same streamlined TraceLink onboarding approach. **• 24/7 support** TraceLink customers get the support and attention they need to complete serialization implementation. With more than 400 employees around the world—and global R&D and Services teams of over 100 people—TraceLink service reps are available 24/7 and provide support in 15 languages. ## Outcome: A platform built for complex integration and successful onboarding Switching to TraceLink has enabled the company to rapidly integrate partners and conduct massive transaction processing at operational scale. At the same time, the TraceLink platform has insulated them from future delays and risk, so they can continue to exchange critical serialization information across their entire supply chain network. The TraceLink Life Sciences Cloud is the only purpose-built solution that digitizes the entire pharmaceutical supply chain to help drug manufacturers, distributors, hospitals, and pharmacies meet existing and emerging regulations around the globe. With nearly 400 pharmaceutical and contract manufacturing customers on its network—including more than 140 that are sharing live serialization data with partners today—TraceLink offers the only proven playbook for serialization-readiness. Contact us to learn more. [Blog](/category/blog)[Serial Number Manager](/category/serial-number-manager)[Global Track & Trace](/category/global-compliance)[Serialization](/category/serialization) #### Table of contents Subscribe to Agile Supply Chain Insights Subscribe to stay informed with the latest patient-centric agile supply chain thought leadership content. SUBSCRIBE Subscribe to Agile Supply Chain Insights Subscribe to stay informed with the latest patient-centric agile supply chain thought leadership content. document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() { // Delay the execution by 2 seconds (2000 milliseconds) setTimeout(function() { (function() { 'use strict'; // Load Marketo form MktoForms2.loadForm("//go.tracelink.com", "776-BAW-230", 2259); })(); // Wait until the Marketo form is loaded MktoForms2.whenReady(function(form) { var formElement = document.getElementById('mktoForm_2259'); if (!formElement) { console.error("Form with id 'mktoForm_2259' not found."); return; } var formLocation = formElement.querySelector("input[name=formLocation]"); // Get the current URL and set the formLocation field if (formLocation) { var currentURL = window.location.href; formLocation.value = currentURL; } // Add onSuccess handler form.onSuccess(function(values, followUpUrl) { var formElem = form.getFormElem()[0]; if (formElem) { formElem.style.display = 'none'; } else { console.warn("Form element could not be found to hide it."); } var confirmMessage = document.getElementById('confirmform'); if (confirmMessage) { confirmMessage.style.display = 'block'; } else { console.warn("Confirmation message with id 'confirmform' not found."); } return false; // Prevent the form from submitting normally }); }); }, 2000); // Delay for 2 seconds }); **Thank you for contacting us; we’ll be in touch shortly.** ##### Related Content [ ![brand-cmo-serialization-partnerships-large.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/brand-cmo-serialization-partnerships-large.jpg.webp?itok=zJMmju8m) ](/resources/resource-center/tracelink-integrated-digital-supply-network-infographic) ##### TraceLink: The World's Largest Integrated Digital Supply Network TraceLink's network digitally connects the end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain. See the infographic. [View More](/resources/resource-center/tracelink-integrated-digital-supply-network-infographic) [ ![cost-breakdown.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/cost-breakdown.jpg.webp?itok=_Ymr6brv) ](/resources/resource-center/how-much-will-serialization-really-cost) ##### How Much Will Serialization Really Cost? Get insights into how much serialization will really cost your company. Proven serialization solution providers can help identify additional costs. [View More](/resources/resource-center/how-much-will-serialization-really-cost) [ ![check-point.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/check-point.jpg.webp?itok=aKXWX6P6) ](/resources/resource-center/poll-validation-has-huge-time-and-cost-impact) ##### Poll: Validation Has Huge Time and Cost Impact Find out how many internal resources companies are dedicating to, and how much they're spending on track and trace system validation. [View More](/resources/resource-center/poll-validation-has-huge-time-and-cost-impact) [ ![dc_with_many_boxes.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/dc_with_many_boxes.jpg.webp?itok=NHeT8jR1) ](/resources/resource-center/aggregation-101-what-it-means-for-your-supply-chain) ##### Aggregation 101: What It Means for Your Supply Chain Serialization aggregation has the potential to add both complexity and cost for life sciences supply chain businesses. Understand the basics [View More](/resources/resource-center/aggregation-101-what-it-means-for-your-supply-chain) [ ![boxes-on-line.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/boxes-on-line.jpg.webp?itok=2y9tUqL3) ](/resources/resource-center/what-aggregation-would-mean-for-you) ##### What Aggregation Would Mean for You What would it mean for your Life Sciences supply chain business to enable serialization aggregation and support it? Understand the implications. [View More](/resources/resource-center/what-aggregation-would-mean-for-you) [ ![blue-clock-over-numbers.jpg](https://www.tracelink.com/sites/default/files/styles/resize_image_style_640_480/public/_global-asset/images/insights/blue-clock-over-numbers.jpg.webp?itok=54DgIrN2) ](/resources/resource-center/500-days-until-eu-fmd-how-prepared-is-the-industry) ##### 500 Days Until EU FMD: How Prepared is the Industry? From 9th February 2019, companies will need to comply with the EU FMD requirements for prescription medicines in Europe. Today marks 500 days until it comes into force. [View More](/resources/resource-center/500-days-until-eu-fmd-how-prepared-is-the-industry)