Streamlining Global Operations

A Clinical Trial Supply Company’s Oracle ERP Rollout in Germany

Overview

Following the acquisition of a German clinical trial supply company, the U.S.-based parent company aimed to integrate the new subsidiary’s operations onto a unified platform. The German entity had previously relied heavily on manual, paper-based processes for inventory management, order fulfillment, and financial tracking. The ambitious project required a full Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system implementation within an aggressive timeline, which posed several challenges:

  • Complex testing requirements

  • GxP compliance

  • Limited resources

  • Budget constraints

  • Scope creep

Laboratory tray filled with small vial containers, with purple liquid being pipetted into one of the vials.


The parent company engaged Allison as the lead project manager to oversee the transition. Her approach prioritized direct collaboration due to heavy cutover interdependencies between inventory management, order management, and financial management, as well as the related data migration.

Key components of the solution included:

  • Assembling a cross-functional team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
    across the U.S., U.K., and Germany to validate and leverage an agile methodology for iteratively reviewing and testing functionality under tight deadlines

  • Actively managing project scope and test cycles to stay on track within the X-month implementation period

  • Ensuring alignment with GxP regulatory requirements, including SOP development, documentation updates, and system validation

  • Conducting regular status reviews and stakeholder updates to drive transparency and mitigate risks

Solution

“I highly recommend her for any technical project and would gladly work with her again if I had the opportunity.”

-Michelle S.

“I highly recommend her for any technical project and would gladly work with her again if I had the opportunity.”

-Michelle S.

A woman with dark hair, wearing a white coat and turquoise jewelry, selecting medication from pharmacy shelves.

Meaningful Results

Despite the inherent complexities of a compressed timeline and working across multiple time zones, the project was successfully executed within six months. The German subsidiary experienced measurable improvements, including:

  • Reduced Errors: Automation replaced manual entry, minimizing human errors associated with the legacy paper process

  • Enhanced Visibility: Real-time access to inventory, orders, and financial data increased transparency and empowered better decision-making across global operations

  • Faster Delivery: Improved customer delivery speed by an average of 1–2 days, enabling quicker response times

  • Improved Compliance: Standardized processes ensured accurate tracking and adherence to local regulations

Through Allison’s leadership, attention to detail, and commitment to risk mitigation, the ERP system was implemented on time and in full compliance with regulatory requirements. Her proactive communication and thorough documentation kept all team members and stakeholders aligned throughout the project lifecycle. This successful implementation provided a strong foundation for future growth and further integration of the German subsidiary into the parent company’s global operations.