Extend Technologies replaces old legacy for Sphere Healthcare with SAP

Sphere Healthcare will replace a six year old in-house built legacy application with SAP Pharmaceuticals. 

Using the SAP Best Practices, pre-configured, template solution, the implementation is estimated to take six months, with Go-live set for May 2009.

The SAP ERP solution will ensure compliance with TGA cGMP Guidelines, 21CFR Part 11 and other relevant Australian Government regulations.

Michael Power, company secretary at Sphere Healthcare, said, it had conducted a competitive ERP bid between three vendors, with the final decision being SAP's Pharmaceuticals Best Practices solution.

"We were looking for a system that would bring about organisational change, not just carry out transactional duties," he said.

"We chose SAP for a number of reasons, the main ones being solution fit and scalability to grow our business and with our business. 

"We aim to increase exports this year and we must control costs effectively to remain competitive."

A media representative for SAP told CRN that the vendor paired Sphere with its channel partner, Extend Technologies, during the investigation phase of the project.

Extend has been an SAP channel partner since 2004, they said.

Gary Smith CFO at Sphere Healthcare, said, Extend was chosen due to their experience with Pharmaceutical companies such as Device Technologies and iNova," said Mr Power.

Sphere is a large-scale Australian contract manufacturer of complementary healthcare products and a soft gel manufacturer in Australia.

It manufactures over 4,000 products they provide local and international clients with a wide range of market-ready products including contemporary vitamin, mineral, and herbal formulations.