Life Sciences

Unlock Process Innovations & Cost Reductions
with the ETCETERA® Platform

NAVIGATE FUTURE BUSINESS OPERATIONS WITH ADVANCED DIGITAL SOLUTIONS.

The ETCETERA® Platform facilitates rapid internal development of solutions designed to streamline processes, increase efficiencies and ensure regulatory compliance across the enterprise.

Facilitate: Make (Something) Easier, Help Bring (Something) About

ETCETERA® is the platform for configuring solutions tailored to your project management, operational workflow and administrative workflow requirements that replace enterprise system customizations, legacy applications, technology silos, software subscriptions, orphaned systems and paper-based processes. Life Science organizations accomplish more with ETCETERA®, the flexible no-code/low-code platform that adapts to your unique requirements, compliments your enterprise applications and serves as the platform for simplifying, integrating and optimizing your business processes and data requirements

ETCETERA® Enterprise Process Management (EPM)

Etcetera Vendor Invoice Processing

ETCETERA® EPM is the browser-based platform used to design, develop and implement online work processes for nearly any business process that include automated processes, comprehensive online user interfaces, data capture and validation, content capture, work routing and validation, rules-based workflows and offline to online work process synchronizations. With EPM, organizations manage the quantity, quality and velocity of applications deployed while minimizing the need for other software products and avoiding the costs of multiple systems.

ETCETERA® Enterprise Content Management (ECM)

Etcetera Expense Management

ETCETERA® ECM is your browser-based document and file management system for nearly any department and any purpose. It provides for storing and accessing over 100 file types through a Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) viewer supporting HTML5 and access on mobile devices. Documents include everything from receipts to E-size drawings, DWG files and reports from host systems. Zoom capabilities make viewing easy, even on small devices in the field. ECM is used to enable other applications and business processes with content and supporting documents.

Examples of Optimized Processes

The ETCETERA® Platform enhances operational efficiencies and project management for tissue banks and life sciences organizations. By integrating the ETCETERA® ECM and EPM modules and AI services, organizations can optimize processes across manufacturing, quality assurance, R&D, regulatory compliance, tissue/product utilization reporting, donor tissue management and more. The platform’s flexibility enables it to adapt to specific departmental needs, ensuring that data is consistently managed, easily accessible, and compliant with industry regulations such as FDA, GMP, and ISO. This comprehensive approach fosters collaboration, reduces administrative burdens, minimizes risks, and ensures faster project delivery—ultimately leading to accelerated time-to-market and operational excellence.

ETCETERA® enhances operational efficiency in manufacturing and supply chain processes, including:

  • Digitizing batch record management and ensuring compliance with GMP standards.
  • Automating workflows for supply chain planning, procurement, and vendor management.
  • Managing inventory control and tracking the lifecycle of critical materials.

ETCETERA® provides life sciences organizations with the tools and services to improve QA processes and compliance with regulatory requirements. Key features include:

  • AI based processing of lab and other vendor analysis reports, with automated workflows utilizing ETCETERA® EPM.
  • Automated document control and management for Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), and regulatory submissions.
  • Audit trail tracking to meet compliance requirements and ensure readiness for inspections.
  • Quality assurance processes such as Quality Donor Data Systems, Non-Conformance Reports (NCRs), Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs), and supplier quality management.

ETCETERA® supports life sciences R&D teams by:

  • Centralizing research data and documents, making it easier to manage and access critical information for drug discovery and clinical trials.
  • Automating approval workflows for research protocols and budget allocations.
  • AI based systems for processing clinical trial documents that are manually prepared by clients
  • Managing intellectual property (IP) and research collaboration agreements securely.
  • Providing analytics tools to track progress and performance across R&D initiatives.

ETCETERA® can simplify clinical trial processes by:

  • Centralizing all trial documentation, including protocols, consent forms, and investigator brochures.
  • Automating workflows for trial approvals, monitoring, and reporting.
  • Enabling real-time tracking of trial progress and regulatory compliance.
  • Providing AI assisted processing of Clinical Trial related documents.
Manage the complexities of employee lifecycles in the highly regulated life sciences sector. Use ETCETERA® to digitize and automate HR processes such as:

  • Onboarding and offboarding including integration with other departments and department processes such as in IT, payroll, security, telephony, finance and training.
  • Employee development plans, certifications, and training to ensure adherence to FDA and GMP standards.
  • Performance reviews, applicant tracking, incident reports, disciplinary actions, and worker’s compensation management.
  • Regulatory compliance training, documentation for audits, and tracking of training completion. Other common uses include HR surveys, salary changes, awards and recognitions, and tuition reimbursement, all managed within a secure, auditable environment.

Finance and accounting functions are central to ensuring seamless operations in life sciences organizations. ETCETERA® enables:

  • Automating vendor invoice coding, approval and account coding workflows, and vendor portals for faster processing and reduced errors.
  • Managing cross-billing for collaborative research and development projects, with automated documentation and support for audit trails.
  • Capital budget planning and automated approvals for R&D expenditures and clinical trial costs.
  • Expense management for research travel, journal voucher approvals, and treasury functions.

Support IT processes critical to life sciences innovation and compliance. With ETCETERA®, IT teams can:

  • Seamlessly integrate onboarding and offboarding processes with security protocols and automated updates to Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) and local Active Directory (AD).
  • Manage IT capital requests and project tracking.
  • Use the platform for help desk ticketing, work order management, and IT training programs.
  • Ensure adherence to data security standards required by regulatory bodies.

Life sciences organizations often manage complex facilities for R&D, manufacturing, and testing. ETCETERA® enables:

  • Preventive maintenance scheduling to ensure equipment reliability and uptime.
  • Work order management for facility repairs and upgrades.
  • Asset tracking for laboratory and manufacturing equipment to ensure compliance with calibration and maintenance schedules.
  • Integration with IoT devices to monitor environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity) in labs and manufacturing areas.

Why do you think we named our platform “ETCETERA”?!?! Your organization can develop document management and process management solutions with velocity. No more waiting for vendors nor for capital expenditure or operating expense approvals. Just new solutions when you need them to help drive business performance. Contact one of our representatives today and start experiencing the ETCETERA® difference!

Software – Licensing (own) vs Subscriptions (rent)

Opting for a software license over a subscription offers several compelling advantages, particularly in terms of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). While software subscriptions may appear attractive due to their lower initial costs, subscriptions represent a perpetual expense.  As long as the product is in use, the payments continue indefinitely.  Further, they often come with escalating expenses over time. For instance, it’s common for subscription prices to increase by approximately 10% annually, potentially doubling the cost in just eight years.  This escalation can outpace business margins and diminish the value derived from the software.

In contrast, purchasing a software license involves an upfront investment, which can be made more manageable through financing options. For example, ScerIS’ banking partner offers financing for ETCETERA® software at rates between 0.00% and 3.99%, resulting in monthly payments often significantly lower than subscription fees. This financing can also encompass implementation services, eliminating initial costs in favor of a consistent monthly payment over three to five years.

Once the license fee is fully paid, ongoing costs are significantly reduced, typically limited to software maintenance fees that are about 60% to 70% lower than ongoing subscription prices. This reduction becomes even more pronounced when considering the cumulative effect of subscription price increases over time.

Moreover, software licensing allows for tailored solutions that leverage a company’s unique innovations and the talents of its employees. In contrast, generic subscription models may standardize processes, potentially eroding competitive advantages.

In summary, if TCO is a critical consideration, owning software through a licensing model offers substantial long-term financial benefits and supports the development of customized solutions that can enhance your business’s competitive edge.

Licensing – Concurrent User vs Named User

ScerIS offers flexible licensing options for our software, allowing customers to choose between concurrent user and named user licenses based on their specific needs. Many of our clients prefer concurrent user licenses due to their cost-effectiveness and flexibility.

Concurrent User Licensing permits a specified number of users to access the software simultaneously, regardless of who they are. This model is particularly advantageous for organizations where multiple employees need periodic access to the software but not all at the same time. Additionally, organizations with multiple shift operations find this very beneficial.  By purchasing licenses based on the maximum number of concurrent users, businesses can optimize costs, ensuring efficient utilization of resources.

Named User Licensing, on the other hand, grants exclusive access to the software for specific individuals.  This approach is beneficial when certain employees require constant and unrestricted access or when utilization is extraordinarily high.

Recognizing that business requirements can evolve, ScerIS provides the flexibility for customers to switch between Named User and Concurrent User licensing as their needs change. This adaptability ensures that your licensing model remains aligned with your operational demands, offering both efficiency and scalability.

In summary, our dual licensing options empower you to select the model that best fits your organization’s usage patterns, with the added assurance that you can transition between models as your requirements evolve.

Featured Success Story

Case Study: MTF Biologics, A 23-Year Partnership with ScerIS and the ETCETERA® ECM Platform

The Story: To meet FDA requirements, MTF Biologics (MTF) transitioned from managing tissue trace paper-based documentation across multiple sites to a streamlined, digitized document management system. In 2002, MTF selected the ETCETERA® ECM platform for managing documents and user access. More than two decades later, this system remains in use on-premises at MTF.

As part of the initial implementation, ScerIS’ service center managed the digitization and indexing backfile conversion of historical paper tissue trace forms.  High speed scanning was installed at multiple MTF locations.

Initially, MTF outsourced ongoing document conversion services to two local companies. However, after experiencing quality issues, MTF turned to ScerIS in 2011 to take over these services. Since 2011, the ScerIS service center has been responsible for processing tissue trace cards and tissue reports returned from U.S. and international hospitals and surgical centers. Additionally, ScerIS handles the digitization of “Linking Lives” forms—anonymous thank-you letters that connect tissue recipients with donor families.

In 2011 ScerIS developed a custom, full-color image capture system for digitizing MTF lab notebooks that could not be unbound. Since that time, ScerIS’s service center produces digitized files of these notebooks.  These documents, along with legal documents and more, are securely stored in MTF’s ETCETERA® ECM document management system.

In 2019, MTF further expanded its partnership with ScerIS by transitioning the digitization of donor charts from a local vendor to ScerIS.

A standout feature of ScerIS’ conversion services is the integration of AI technology to keep data capture costs affordable. For example, ScerIS AI agents process handwritten and cursive text, cross-referencing healthcare and biological terminology to ensure accurate data entry.

This enduring partnership between MTF Biologics and ScerIS underscores a shared commitment to innovation, quality, and efficiency in document and data management.

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