XML-based prescription drug database helps pharmacists advise their customers

Every day, Sanacorp AG, a pharmaceutical wholesaler based near Munich, delivers 25,000 orders to pharmacists throughout Germany. Filling drug orders and delivering within a matter of hours are decisive factors in keeping ahead of competitors in this market. Now, Sanacorp wants to help pharmacists advise customers, so that as many as possible obtain a suitable medication or place an order for it. 

After all, a customer who leaves the pharmacist empty-handed means a lost sale. For this reason the latest generation of Sanacorp’s ZADO information system was expanded to incorporate Software AG’s Tamino XML information server. ZADO contains detailed information on thousands of medicines. To date, it has only been used internally. The goal now, however, is to make it directly available to pharmacists over the Internet.

"With ZADO, Sanacorp developed a system which makes it very easy to access information on prescription drugs," explains Erwin Zattler, Director of IT and Logistics at Sanacorp. "ZADO helps pharmacists give customers additional information which is not generally available. It does away with the need to consult big books or unwieldy card indexes. Pharmacists can service their customers more quickly and comprehensively and increase their sales."

This helps both Sanacorp and pharmacists reach their business targets and improve customer relationships. In a context of increasing competition between pharmaceutical wholesalers, this is an important factor in Sanacorp’s success.

The current prototype and third generation of ZADO has a ten-year history behind it. It all started with version one, an information system which resided on a mainframe computer. In the second generation, the describing information was made available on the Internet as HTML documents. An electronic search method based on Microsoft’s Index Server was put in place. However, this solution had a major flaw, as Zattler explains: "The search engine was too weak. Search results were ambiguous and incomplete. A search term would not come up with all relevant results or references. These kinds of errors are not acceptable in a medical information system."

The problem was solved by using the new Web standard, XML, and Software AG’s information server, Tamino. In the first phase of the project, the HTML pages were converted into XML and stored in Tamino. Then a simple, practical graphical user interface for searches was created.

"XML is the basis for EDI in the 21st century," declares Zattler. "It can be used to create fast and easy-to-use IT solutions which directly promote business success. In this role as a universal data interchange format, XML sets companies off on the right track for electronic business."

"Tamino is an invaluable component when it comes to XML, as it is the only database management system which stores XML documents in their original structure," Mr. Zattler continues. "Other databases have to convert XML documents into other formats, which is a time-consuming process. This lengthens system response time unnecessarily. XML can be used to transmit structured and unstructured information between companies and to display this information on browser interfaces."

Sanacorp relies on its comprehensive, problem-free IT systems for its central business processes: receipt and processing of orders, logistics, invoicing and controlling. IT processes are also essential for communication with suppliers in the pharmaceutical industry. This means that IT projects have a high priority in the company.

Summary:

The task:

To assist pharmacists in advising customers comprehensively and efficiently and choosing suitable medicines quickly.

The solution:

Tamino, Software AG’s XML information server, for supplying pharmacies with straightforward, comprehensive prescription drug information over the Internet.

The result:

First successful shift to electronic business based on the new Internet standard, XML. Best-ever level of completeness and ease of search for pharmaceutical product information, speeding up ordering procedures at pharmacies. Increased pharmacists’ sales through quicker and more comprehensive customer service.