Life Science

Life Science

Beyond the Lab: The Role of IT in Modern Life Sciences Research

HIPAA Compliance Support, CLIA Lab Support, Rapid Maturation of Technology Practices, Rapid Client Growth

Infracore helps a Life Science biotech company in the liquid biopsy diagnostic space go from R&D to commercialization in 6 months.

The rapid expansion of the biotech company’s sales and support teams necessitates a robust infrastructure and streamlined processes to maintain efficiency. Infracore can address this challenge on multiple fronts. Firstly, they can implement auto-scaling features within the company’s cloud infrastructure. This ensures the system can automatically adjust to increased processing demands, preventing bottlenecks as the teams grow. Additionally, the collaboration platform can be fortified with features specifically designed for geographically dispersed teams. Real-time communication tools and knowledge-sharing platforms will foster collaboration and ensure everyone stays on the same page. These solutions are particularly crucial for the Life Science sector, where efficient and secure IT infrastructure is essential for supporting complex research and development activities.

Furthermore, Infracore can equip the sales and support teams with the tools they need to excel. Implementing a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system will streamline the sales process by managing customer interactions, providing valuable insights into customer behavior, and improving overall sales effectiveness. On the support side, a cloud-based helpdesk solution will allow for efficient issue tracking, collaboration on solutions, and improved customer satisfaction. These tools will empower the growing teams to operate at peak efficiency.

By addressing both infrastructure scalability and team workflow optimization, Infracore can ensure the biotech company maintains its competitive edge and fosters successful expansion.

The client needed to address several challenges, including:

  • Achieving HIPAA compliance to handle actual patient samples and health data, as well as managing medical billing.
  • Enhancing their email and collaboration platform.
  • Strengthening the IT infrastructure to enable continuous, round-the-clock operations.
  • Establishing IT controls for the CLIA Lab to maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Supporting the rapid expansion of their nationwide sales, customer service, and back-office billing teams with robust IT infrastructure.
Business Needs and Challenges:

Fully Managed On-Site IT Department with Service Desk:

Previously reliant on a traditional managed service provider (MSP), our research organization client sought to elevate their support model in preparation for rapid commercialization. Infracore recognized the necessity for seamless integration and deployed a dedicated, full-time team to manage the IT function. This team, comprising an IT Manager, Systems Administrator, and Desktop Support Specialist, collaborated closely with stakeholders across the organization to align IT efforts with broader commercialization objectives. Backed by an Infracore VP of Technology, the team focused on enhancing end-user support capabilities and crafting a comprehensive IT roadmap.

Migration of On-Premises Infrastructure to AWS Cloud:

Transitioning from a research-oriented setup to a commercial operation mandated a shift from occasional system downtime to 24×7 uptime reliability. Infracore engineers orchestrated the migration of essential workloads to the AWS cloud, ensuring compliance with HIPAA requirements for data encryption and security. This included migrating critical systems such as the Laboratory Information Management System and lab management components, paving the way for seamless operations amid a planned facility move.

Migration of Collaboration Platform to Microsoft 365:

Responding to evolving compliance needs and scalability demands, Infracore facilitated the migration of the client’s collaboration platform from a limited version of Google’s G-Suite and on-premises Exchange to Microsoft 365. This transition to Exchange Online and SharePoint Online empowered employees with enhanced productivity tools while ensuring alignment with regulatory standards.

Development of compliant IT processes:

Infracore collaborated closely with the lab and compliance teams to implement robust IT processes compliant with industry regulations. This involved establishing endpoint policies, developing patching procedures for sensitive systems in the CLIA Lab, and implementing backup and recovery systems for production lab equipment, all under the guidance of the client’s leadership.

Build-Out of New Sales, Billing, and Customer Service Departments:

In response to the organization’s transition to commercial operations, Infracore facilitated the establishment of new customer-facing departments. This included deploying workstations managed by Microsoft Endpoint Manager, devising onboarding processes for remote workers, and collaborating with call center software consultants to implement a VoIP-based telephony solution for efficient customer service management.

Solution:

Following a six-month-long endeavor, that enlisted the expertise of dedicated project specialists alongside our full-time team, the client successfully achieved their targeted go-live date. As a result of our commercialization efforts, the company’s headcount surged from approximately 45 to over 100 individuals.

End Results: