Interview with Stephen B Kern, Pfizer
With the massive digitization of pharmaceutical knowledge, the pharmaceutical industry has been rushed to manage Big Data. Pharmaceutical profesionals are strapped to apply the best data analytics tactics to optimize decision making across portfolios and gain actionable insights through data.
Stephen B Kern, Director of Global Business Intelligence at Pfizer, recently spoke with marcus evans about foremost topics to be discussed at the 3rd Pharma Data Analytics Conference, to be held November 18-19, 2015 in Philadelphia, PA.
What excites you about the emerging role of Big Data Analytics in the Pharma field?
SK: For many years Business Intelligence focused on history. We used our data in silos and developed historical reports and lists. Today in Pharma we’re busting out of the mold. We are looking to tie all of our internal data together and marry it to the outside world which is what I call Big Data Analytics. This is an incredible time for BI. We are no longer historians. We now have the opportunity to come out of our windowless backrooms and support our Business Leaders with data and tools that will help Pharma provide products at the right time, right place and at a cost that people can afford. We really can make a difference that will help people.
Why is utilizing this role, along with data integration, likely to produce success in the business?
SK: Data integration is not just linking transactions together. The role of Big Data Analytics integrates internal and external data with the business process. This integration allows us to measure the end-to-end process in Pharma. Data integration allows us to affectively use predictive analytics to apply “what if’s” giving the business data-based decisions for continued and future success.
How is building flexibility into the data environment helped you in your role?
SK: It’s all about providing the business with a complete picture of their process. The one thing we know is that our business processes are always changing because the Pharma business environment is always changing. We buy and sell products and companies and the only way Pharma can be successful is to build flexibility into the data environment so that changes don’t require long lead times and major costs.
SK: Coming from the manufacturing side of Pharma where our data is validated, we have not been involved with social media. With that being said, we have seen the technology around social media being applied to the manufacturing environment. Mobile access to our systems and data is now a requirement. Our business clients expect that their analytics and reporting be delivered and supported similar to blogs and Facebook, where comments and analytics can be entered on the fly to their reports and dashboards. These are very exciting times.
What are you looking forward to most about attending the 3rd Pharma Data Analytics Conference?
SK: This is a pivotal time for IT and Pharma where the tools and infrastructure have matured to the point where management understands how Big Data and Analytics can have a bottom line impact on profits. For me, the Pharma Data Analytics Conference is an opportunity to engage my peers in discussing how we can leverage new technologies and learn how they are using analytics.
Mr. Kern will be presenting a case study on the topic of “Utilizing Data Integration to Drive Business Success” on Day 2 of the conference.
Stephen Kern has over 35 years of experience in ERP and Business Intelligence working in the banking and manufacturing industries. He started his career with Morgen Guaranty deploying HR and Trust and Investment systems, but soon decided to move to manufacturing where he deployed a MRP system for Sun Chemical. From this point on, Steve realized that manufacturing systems were his passion. Steve worked for various manufacturing companies designing, programming and deploying ERP systems. After 17 years in the industry, Steve left for the exciting life of consulting and joined Arthur Andersen Management Consulting where he had the opportunity to work with a number of major Pharmaceutical companies. It was during his stint with Arthur that he saw his future was in Business Intelligence. Today, Steve works for Pfizer where he leads a Business Intelligence and Analytics team supporting Pfizer Global Sourcing (PGS).
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