Driving Digital Change: Introduction
In 2019, Strides Pharma partnered with SANeForce to modernize its field operations across African regions and the French-speaking market of Ivory Coast. The project was implemented for one of its sub-companies, UCL (Universal Corporation Limited), to unify medical representative activities, streamline reporting, and enable multilingual access. The goal was to improve operational visibility, standardize processes, and create a scalable, digital-first approach across the company’s African operations.
| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Company | Strides Pharma |
| Industry | Pharmaceutical |
| Primary Goal | Streamline MR reporting, automate expense approvals, and enhance data accuracy across regions. |
| Key Challenges | Delayed reporting, manual expense entries, limited integration, and lack of real-time visibility. |
| Solutions Deployed | SANeForce Pharma SFA: Tour Planning, DCR, E-Detailing (SAN CLM), Leave Management, Activity Forms, Multi-lingual Interface (French), and CRM Integration (strides.info). |
| Key Results | Faster reporting cycles, improved accuracy, multilingual adoption, and structured managerial control. |
Pre-Implementation Challenges
Before SANeForce, Strides faced multiple hurdles in its field operations. Reporting was fragmented and slow, making managerial insights difficult. Tour planning lacked standardization, causing coverage gaps. Detailing content was inconsistent, particularly in French regions, leading to uneven doctor engagement.
Recording activities and managing team tasks were uncoordinated, slowing reporting and workflows. Mobile tools were limited, offline access was unreliable, and multilingual support was absent, creating barriers in regions like Ivory Coast.
Implementations that enhanced their Productivity
1. Tour Planning (TP)
Structured and trackable routes for MRs; manager approvals ensured proper coverage.
2. Daily Call Reporting (DCR)
Standardized forms for recording doctor interactions, samples, and outcomes.
3. E-Detailing (SAN CLM)
Mobile/tablet slide decks with sequential reporting; ensured consistent messaging and interactive detailing.
4. Mobile App
Offline sync, geo-tagging, attachments, and multi-lingual support for field reps.
5. Activity Forms & Leave Management
Simplified workflows for events, campaigns, sample movements, and leave requests.
6. CRM Landing Page (strides.info)
Centralized entry for digital leads directly routed into SANeForce CRM.
7. French Language Support
First French implementation to enable Ivory Coast operations, improving adoption and engagement.
Before vs After Implementing us
| Aspect | Before Implementation | After Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| MR Reporting | Manual and delayed | Instant mobile reporting |
| Expense Management | Paper-based, slow | Automated approvals workflow |
| Doctor Creation | Backend dependent | Direct from MR mobile |
| Data Accuracy | Frequent errors | Verified unified records |
| Geo-Tagging | No geo tagging and often fake reporting | Geo-fencing validated visits, no more false reporting |
| E-Detailing | Traditional slides | Interactive digital slides |
| Language Support | English only | French interface added |
Results Achieved!
With SANeForce, Strides achieved major improvements in operational efficiency and field productivity. Managers gained real-time visibility into tour adherence, call outcomes, and sample distribution. MRs followed standardized, geo-verified tour plans and used e-detailing to deliver consistent messaging to doctors.
French language support enhanced adoption in Ivory Coast. Automated expense management and digital lead capture via strides.info minimized delays and errors, while field workflows became faster and more reliable.
What impacted after implementation?!
The digital transformation empowered Strides to operate its African field force in a unified, data-driven manner.
✔ Standardized reporting and consistent digital detailing (E-detailing) improved accuracy and efficiency.
✔ Multilingual operations and faster decision-making strengthened overall field productivity and compliance.
✔ Managers now have near real-time oversight of field activities.
✔ Medical representatives operate efficiently with streamlined workflows.
The company now enjoys a scalable foundation for further expansion across Africa.