A prominent life sciences company partnered with Airo to migrate its laboratory systems to the cloud, enhancing its data collection capabilities and scalability for future growth.

In 2017, two major life sciences giants merged to form a new entity. This newly established company needed to operate independently, necessitating the migration of its existing manufacturing execution and enterprise resource planning systems from the parent company’s on-premise infrastructure to its own hybrid environment, including an Azure cloud-based platform. A critical component of this migration involved transitioning its core laboratory information management system (LIMS) to the cloud, along with an integrated ecosystem of related systems. This complex migration had to be accomplished without disrupting ongoing business activities.

To build the foundation for a sustainable and independent organization, the life sciences company partnered with Airo to establish an integrated LIMS application system in the Azure cloud.

Airo initiated the project by conducting parallel studies, testing the LIMS solution on both the on-premise and cloud platforms. Once the core LIMS system was successfully operational on the Azure cloud platform, the migration of ten related laboratory systems commenced. This extensive effort spanned approximately 12 plants across 5 locations, each with diverse architectural setups.

The migration was approached through a staged, site-by-site process. Airo meticulously managed the cross-domain integration to ensure all systems continued to operate seamlessly throughout the migration.

People and Culture

Throughout the project, Airo collaborated closely with a variety of stakeholders within the life sciences company to ensure the migration addressed the business’s needs effectively. Airo provided comprehensive training to the system-support team, empowering them to manage the cloud-based system efficiently post-migration. Key change management efforts included:

• Engaging Stakeholders: Airo connected managers, site experts, and the application user community through regular touchpoints and workshops to maintain alignment and address concerns.
• Providing Training: Working sessions and hands-on training were conducted for subject matter experts and the user community to ensure proficiency in the new system.
• Infusing Ownership: Airo instilled a sense of ownership among the team members, preparing them to lead and manage the system independently after project completion.
• Developing Guidelines: Comprehensive guideline documents were created and shared with the end-user community to ensure a smooth transition and consistent system usage.

The successful migration of laboratory systems to the cloud has positioned the life sciences company for future growth and operational excellence. The cloud platform has significantly reduced capital expenses associated with hardware infrastructure and improved the overall management of applications deployed in Azure. The migration has enhanced agility and scalability, supporting future business expansion without compromising security or performance.

With its quality systems now fully operational in the cloud, supporting over 800 users and critical business processes, the life sciences company is well-equipped to pursue its mission of advancing scientific research and development. The cloud migration has ensured seamless integration between Azure-based applications, enabling secure data exchange and robust role-based security.

Future-Ready Systems

As an independent entity, the life sciences company now benefits from laboratory systems that offer:

• Accessibility: Systems that can be accessed from any part of a facility, providing greater flexibility and efficiency.
• Enhanced Management: Streamlined updates and application management capabilities.
• Support and Training: Comprehensive knowledge transfer workshops and ongoing vendor support.
• Consistent Experience: A migration approach that retains all key business processes, enhancing the overall user experience compared to previous on-premise systems.
• Integrated Operations: Cross-layer integration between Azure LIMS and ecosystem applications, ensuring transparency and security.

With these advancements, the life sciences company is poised to continue its pioneering work in the industry, leveraging the power of cloud technology to drive innovation and growth. The collaboration with Airo has not only ensured a smooth and effective migration but also laid the groundwork for a scalable, agile, and future-ready operational environment. The success of this project underscores Airo’s commitment to delivering tailored, cutting-edge cloud solutions that meet the unique needs of its clients in the life sciences sector.