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Bayer: Engineering Data Management Across Lifecycles with Hexagon Solutions 

“Advancing Science for a Better Life.” That is one of Bayer’s key guiding statements. But which technologies and smart solutions help make this purpose a reality?  

With operations in 83 countries and a history spanning more than 160 years, Bayer is a notable player in the life sciences sector. Comprised of three primary business divisions: pharmaceuticals, healthcare and crop science, Bayer needs access to high-quality data insights that are easily and efficiently shared across various teams, tools and units. 

We met with the company’s Project Director for Digitalization at Bayer Engineering & Technology, Albert Becker, to discuss Bayer’s past, present and future. Plus, how the organization has and will continue to leverage Hexagon’s solution portfolio to maintain and improve important processes and operations relating to engineering data management.

In this video, hear more about Bayer’s main goals for its digitalization program. Learn how improved data sets are enabling the company’s teams to make faster and more informed decisions. And, how this is driving swifter project delivery times.

Looking to take a deeper dive into Bayer’s story? Read on to learn more ... 

The Case for Digitalization

Digitalization — it seems to have been the talk of the town for a while now. And for good reason. Optimizing the reporting, storage, use, visibility and deployment of valuable data is an essential tool to grow and streamline business operations. This is something that we have seen embraced by companies across a wide range of sectors.  

As the complexity of projects increases, we understand that owners and operators of industrial facilities are facing new challenges. This complexity raises the chance of setbacks or pitfalls occurring that may negatively affect operations. Digitalization helps tackle this obstacle by making essential data more accessible and reliable for the teams that rely on it.  

For Bayer, Albert Becker comments that one of the main goals for the brand’s digitalization program is “to be faster in project delivery.” This involves deploying its engineering data throughout the lifecycle. Albert Becker says, “We have to have a better quality of data to enable our teams to make decisions faster.” The result? Not only quicker decision-making but also more informed resolutions that contribute to overall swifter project delivery times.  

Business Challenges and Pain Points

Digitalization and improved data management play a significant role in eliminating roadblocks that stand in the way of better practices. Operating within the pharmaceuticals industry, a key requirement for Bayer is to adhere to strict quality controls. Therefore, it is critical that the company has access to consistent, high-quality data and promotes close collaboration between its projects, operations and maintenance teams. 

To optimize data throughout the asset lifecycle, Bayer first needed to assess the status of existing pain points, processes and technologies. From here, the company can judge which areas to improve, while also considering innovative technologies that could help to overcome key challenges.  

On this topic, Albert Becker highlights the importance of enabling engineering data throughout the lifecycle. “We're using Hexagon systems specifically for engineering design, such as (Intergraph) Smart® 3D and additional modules to integrate the information between various sources. This has been in place for the last decades and has been a great solution and a set of tools for our projects.” 

Without this, Bayer would experience a disconnect between teams and tools. Project delivery would be slowed, data less accessible and key stakeholders could be left in the dark, unable to harness the data they need to carry out their roles.  

Partnering with Hexagon

Commenting on Bayer's collaboration with Hexagon for data sharing and management, Albert Becker says “... this is where we rely on Hexagon as a prime solution.” 

Functioning within the digital healthcare sphere, the nature and complexity of Bayer’s operations requires a set of products and solutions that enables the company to use data optimally. This includes using information to gain insights into workflows and processes present in Bayer’s facilities. By analyzing this data, Bayer can see where procedures may be improved through further innovation to take operations to the next level. 

At Hexagon, we are passionate about empowering organizations with the software and systems they need to access the right data and at the right time. In doing so, we help our customers improve the quality of their data, empower better decision-making and secure faster project delivery. To continue these efforts with Bayer, the company has embraced our SaaS (Software as a Service) Asset Lifecycle Information Management (ALIM) solution, HxGN SDx®. 

HxGN SDx in Action 

Considering Bayer’s current and upcoming use of HxGN SDx, Albert Becker comments that it is “a great solution for data management. We do believe that it will also fulfill our requirements in terms of collaboration and data-based decision process.” 

From the lifecycle perspective, Bayer started using the solution on three sites as a document management system within operational and maintenance activities. “This will help us to maintain our as-built information in the highest quality possible,” says Albert Becker.  

The ability to keep information up to date is another advantage of HxGN SDx. Teams are equipped with reliable data. As a result, Albert Becker notes that this will foster improved turnover and handover processes. “The improved data collaboration and improved handover and turnover activities will save us a lot of time. The project delivery can be much faster and the quality of information that is handed over is also better.”  

The Road Ahead

Although Bayer has leveraged Hexagon engineering solutions for decades now, the collaboration is set to endure. Looking ahead, Bayer will continue to expand its use of our asset lifecycle information management portfolio to further enhance productivity, connectivity, and visibility within its facilities and between its teams and systems.  

“On the new side of the things,” says Albert Becker “we're introducing systems that will support us to share the data between the different project team members and ensure also high-quality data management throughout the lifecycle.” 

Albert Becker also remarks that HxGN SDx will be central to Bayer’s next steps. “So far, we have started the implementation of HxGN SDx on several sites, and we are currently working on a project-specific configuration which will be piloted in the next phase.” 

As we move to a more data-driven and autonomous future, the need for companies to embark on a digital transformation journey, or advance existing digitalization efforts, will continue to grow. Data optimization and transparency are key to unlocking safer, more streamlined and cost/time-efficient operations. Within asset lifecycles, optimal data management strategies will be the driving force for creating greater synergies between teams, tools and work tasks.

Looking to build your own digitalization roadmap? Reach out to our experts to get set your plan in motion!