SPICTRA, an AM International group company, provides innovative technology solutions for the healthcare industry. Its products include surgical specialties such as cardiac surgery, airway management, neurology, and transfusion. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to stem its spread led to many challenges for SPICTRA. The company devised a strategy that leveraged technology and employee collaboration to navigate through these challenging times.

Production was limited due to supply issues, reduced operational hours, and muted demand for specific products. Owing to limited workforce requirements on the premises and difficulties for many employees to commute to work, people had to be re-skilled. Locally available contractual labour had to be trained on all the processes. In the initial phases, the learning curve reduced efficiency in delivery. Without access to physical documents, there were challenges in the procurement of raw materials and other items required in production.

How SPICTRA rose to the challenge

SPICTRA devised an action plan to manage production and support customers and employees to the maximum.

There was a reduction in demand for most of the products. Simultaneously, there was an increase in demand for certain products like critical medical devices, hygiene products, and testing kits. SPICTRA started working on the development of new products and applied for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) license for some of them.

This serves multiple objectives –

• Build a diversified product portfolio
• Contribute to preventing the spread of COVID-19
• Achieve revenue targets

SPICTRA provided necessary IT hardware and software tools to employees so that work could continue with minimum disruption. Internal and external meetings and training sessions were held online.

Steps were undertaken to quickly obtain permits for employees to check in to the production premises. The company acquired vehicle passes for employee transport and delivery vehicles. Safety measures like sanitisation, provision of protective gear, and disinfection of factory premises were undertaken to protect employees’ health.

Technology was a key enabler to tide over the crisis

SPICTRA leveraged technology to manage issues that arose from COVID-19. Moving data and workflows to the cloud enabled SPICTRA to gain flexibility and reduce costs in the long run.

Technology infrastructure was modernised with the acquisition of laptops, wi-fi modems and other network infrastructure.

Data and processes were moved to the cloud so that they are available 24×7 securely. With the cloud enabled SAP ERP system Spictra managed to handle the operational transactions effectively by capturing and integrating the data remotely from every functional areas and ensured process completion as per the sequence with complete control on inventory, procurement and sales.

The company managed the CE audit and statutory audit remotely through video conferencing and scanned documents.

SPICTRA managed to integrate automated processes to limit employee dependency and is now further exploring how to leverage this to robotics.

Building a resilient future

The company devised strategies to work with limited workforce and limited presence in factory premises using remote work techniques, staggering staff schedules, and job rotation.