Dr. Schumacher Digitizes R&D Processes with ConSol CM
With more than 1,600 employees, Dr. Schumacher GmbH is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of disinfection and hygiene products. Headquartered in Malsfeld-Beiseförth, Germany, the family-owned company develops and manufactures its own products as well as private-label and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) products.
This means that Dr. Schumacher also manufactures products for other companies that market them under their own brand names. Its solutions are used in both medical settings and by consumers. The company operates in eight countries worldwide and works with distribution partners in 70 countries.
How Does Dr. Schumacher Use ConSol CM?
ConSol CM supports the digital mapping, management, and tracking of defined process steps, particularly in research and development and IP management.
Processes managed with ConSol CM include:
- Key phases of the product requirements profile (PAP)
- Defined process steps for new product development
- Product requests, including defined review and approval steps
- Integrated IP management as part of patent-related processes
- Processes for handling customer requests via an internal CM portal
- Role-based task management using structured task tickets at defined process stages
A key element is the task-based process logic: Each process step consists of clearly defined tasks that are completed sequentially or in parallel by different stakeholders. Once these tasks have been completed, the workflow moves to the next process step either automatically or manually.
ConSol CM also helps manage the flow of data throughout the process. Participating teams receive the relevant templates and information based on their roles, while gaining greater transparency into the current status of each process.
Challenges
Digitizing established business processes presented several practical challenges:
- Disconnected systems and manual coordination
- Significant coordination effort due to the large number of roles involved
- Large volumes of data that needed to be captured, reviewed, and managed in a structured way
Research and development of safe medical products comes with particularly demanding requirements. Processes ranging from the product requirements profile through product development are complex and involve multiple stages, requiring close coordination across different departments. Approvals can extend all the way to executive management. At the same time, high standards for data quality, traceability, and transparency must be maintained.
The goal was therefore to provide stronger digital support for these processes, structure them more effectively, and make them easier to manage.
Solution: From Proof of Concept to Core Product Development Processes
The project began with a proof of concept for the product requirements profile process and was gradually expanded to additional use cases.
Today, ConSol CM digitally supports key phases of the product requirements process as well as selected processes related to product development. Product requests are captured in a structured format and managed through defined workflows. Permission checks and plausibility validations help ensure structured, consistent, and traceable data capture.
Collaboration is based on a task-driven approach: At each process step, tasks are assigned directly to the appropriate roles and can be worked on in parallel. IP management is also integrated into defined process steps, helping ensure that relevant third-party intellectual property rights are appropriately considered throughout the process.
An internal portal has also been created for customer requests, allowing internal sales and service teams to submit and process inquiries in a structured way.
Outlook: Greater Integration and New Synergies
Looking ahead, Dr. Schumacher is exploring which additional business processes could benefit from digital support and closer integration. The goal is to unlock further synergies while continuing to make processes more structured and efficient.
