Innovations at INTERPHEX Guide 2022 - 16

Custom Computing Solutions for
Space-Constrained Facilities
To make the best used of limited space, pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers
turn to space-saving, and even customized, computing solutions
In the past year, many pharmaceutical and biotech
manufacturers have updated or expanded manufacturing
capacity by opening new, greenfield sites or refitting
existing spaces. Fueling
this
surge in expansion are
pandemic-related therapeutics and vaccines, and emerging
technologies such as cell and gene therapies. Although the
demand for manufacturing capacity was growing prior to
COVID-19, the pandemic is stimulating a flurry of activity
in the design and commissioning of new facilities - a trend
that is expected to continue in the coming years.
The problem is that facilities are being more closely
tailored to the needs of the process, leaving not much
room. In addition, smaller equipment used for continuous
processing and single-use technologies results in smaller
production areas. With limited space, little room is left for
the critical computing platforms and key performance
indicator (KPI) visualization displays. This equipment can
include thin clients, panel PCs, remote touch displays, KVM
(keyboard, video, mouse) solutions, and fixed and mobile
operator workstations.
In cleanrooms, when space is at a premium, the computing
solutions must meet the unique and novel requirements
of the manufacturing processes and,
increasingly, the
constraints of the physical space. When standard catalog
options are not sufficient, custom solutions are often
required to fit into tight spaces or hallways. To do this, the
equipment must often be customized as to the size, inputs,
communication connections, mounting, types of battery,
and other factors.
Although the leading solution and process automation
equipment providers offer computing solutions, the
options are limited. In addition, they are not typically
flexible enough to provide custom solutions as the
computing system components they provide are not their
core competency. Fortunately, there are suppliers that can
provide space saving, and even customized, solutions to
meet the most restrictive design and space limitations.
" Solution providers offer basic monitors and workstations,
but if there are specific space constraints or other design
changes, they are not able to create new solutions or make
minor changes to existing products, " says Paul Shu of ARISTA
Corporation, a leading provider of computing platforms
and visualization display products for pharmaceutical
manufacturing environments.
ARISTA has been servicing the pharmaceutical industry for
more than 10 years and during that time has developed a
broad range of products. The company has a strong track
record and capability to customize products to meet the
process specifications.
" If there are unique requirements due to space constraints,
we meet with the pharmaceutical manufacturer to
understand the requirements and design a solution, " says
Shu. " In 6-8 months, we can deliver the first articles for
approval, then start to produce the equipment. "
For fixed workstations, Shu says customization can extend
to installation mounting options including benchtop, wall,
wall-recessed, ceiling, VESA, and pedestal mounts.
In tight hallways, for example, wall-recessed workstations
with 360° folding and retracting double-joint (singlescreen)
and
triple-joint
(dual-screen)
designs
allow
operators
to adjust the angle of the screen or keyboard to
complement the needs of operators' various heights. Such
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Innovations at INTERPHEX Guide 2022

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