In the pharmaceutical industry, maintaining a controlled environment in cleanrooms is critical to product integrity and compliance. The recent CrowdStrike incident caused significant IT outages worldwide, impacting flight control, banking, logistics and the pharmaceutical industry.
Our FacilityPro® environmental monitoring system demonstrated exceptional performance at this recent event, ensuring uninterrupted and continuous monitoring and control of the cleanroom. FacilityPro is a key part of our Facility Monitoring Systems (FMS) product line and integrates sampling, reporting and data storage of particulate, microbial and environmental data. It complies with stringent data integrity requirements, including 21 CFR Part 11, and provides efficient data access, improved automation, reduced human error, and regulatory compliance.
Advanced technology and infrastructure
Multi-layered infrastructure: Unlike commonly available systems based on single-tier computer-based solutions, FacilityPro uses a three-tier infrastructure. The first layer consists of sensors that store data in their internal buffer memory in the event of a disconnection from the processor. The second layer includes our proprietary processor that provides additional memory that can store data from hundreds of sensors for up to 8 hours until the server is restored. The third layer includes server redundancy to ensure that the twin servers are always operational. If one server fails, the other can take over.
Seamless integration: FacilityPro seamlessly integrates with network infrastructure and third-party systems using SQL data transfer and OPC UA communications, ensuring continuous data flow and system interoperability.
Customer experience during an internet outage
During the IT outages caused by CrowdStrike, pharmaceutical manufacturers using FacilityPro reported uninterrupted cleanroom monitoring. Despite server issues, FacilityPro continued to collect data, provide real-time alerts, and manage configured automations such as communication with bottling lines, alarm towers, and notification tools. This ensured regulatory compliance and prevented production disruptions, saving millions of dollars in drug production and ensuring timely drug delivery to patients.
Regulatory Compliance: FacilityPro meets ISO and GMP standards for aseptic pharmaceutical production, ensuring customers remain compliant even in the event of IT disruptions.
Global support and reliability: Particularly during times of crisis such as the recent Crowdstrike outage, Particle Measurement Systems offers robust after-sales support with representatives available worldwide in various time zones and local languages. This ensures immediate action to avoid data loss and production interruptions and supports our customers in critical situations.
Diploma
Recent IT challenges have highlighted the importance of robust monitoring solutions in the pharmaceutical industry. Facility Pro’s performance during the CrowdStrike incident underscores our commitment to providing reliable, compliant and safe environmental monitoring systems. With Facility Pro, our customers can maintain continuous operations and focus on delivering safe and effective products.
Learn more about Particle Measurement Systems (PMS) plant and environmental monitoring systems and products at the following links:
Environmental monitoring systems: FacilityPro®
FacilityPro® cleanroom software for pharmaceuticals
PharmaceuticalNet™ Pro: Environmental monitoring software
