Leading semiconductor manufacturer standardizes compliance with SOX and ISO standards

Company background

A leading supplier to the semiconductor industry provides innovative lithography equipment critical for making integrated circuits. Their technology drives the evolution of microchip production, enabling electronics to become smaller, faster, more powerful, and energy-efficient. With a strong commitment to pushing scientific research and technological boundaries, this organization leads the way in the semiconductor world.

Challenges and risks with manual document processes

Their work involves a lot of documentation across many departments, like research and development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance. Managing these complex and numerous documents efficiently is critical to ensure accuracy, compliance, and quick access. However, relying on manual processes has led to several challenges and risks:

1. Human Error: Manual document handling is prone to errors such as misfiling, incorrect data entry, and inconsistent document versions and were leading to significant operational inefficiencies and compliance breaches.
2. Time-Consuming Processes: Manual document processing was slow, requiring substantial time for document retrieval, validation, and distribution, which hindered this company's project timelines and decision-making processes.
3. Compliance and Regulatory Risks: The semiconductor industry has very strict regulations. Managing documents manually increased the risk of missing details or having incomplete records, which lead to legal and financial consequences.
4. Inefficient Collaboration: Collaboration across departments and with external partners is crucial for the company. Manual processes lead to communication breakdowns and delays in sharing critical information, affecting overall productivity and project outcomes.

The Adlib solution

The company teamed up with Adlib to implement a sophisticated solution for transforming and automating their documents. Adlib's expertise in intelligent document processing, metadata handling, and management offered a thorough approach to streamline their document workflows.

1. Automated Document Conversion and Transformation: Adlib's solution automated the conversion of various document formats into standardized, searchable PDFs. This automation reduced manual intervention, ensuring consistency and accuracy in document handling.
2. Compliance and Audit Readiness: Adlib's solution ensured that all documents adhered to regulatory standards, facilitating easy audits and compliance checks. Automated workflows and audit trails provided transparency and accountability, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
3. Improved Collaboration and Accessibility: By centralizing document storage and enabling secure access, Adlib's solution enhanced collaboration within the organization and with external partners. Employees could quickly retrieve and share documents, improving communication and project efficiency.

Implementation and results

Adlib was implemented across 60 global locations in 16 countries, seamlessly integrating with the company's existing content management system (Dell EMC ECM) and document workflows. This transition significantly improved secure collaboration across the enterprise and ensured compliance with SOX and ISO standards by auto-generating conformant Documents Of Record for 700k production and QC documents annually. The key benefits included:

1. Enhanced Data Discoverability: Adlib improved data discoverability across the enterprise content, making it easier for employees to find the information they needed quickly and efficiently.
2. Minimized Production Delays: The solution minimized production line delays caused by paperwork issues, ensuring smoother and more continuous operations.
3. Streamlined Supply-Chain Documentation: Adlib streamlined the documentation processes within the company's supply chain, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing overall efficiency.
4. Improved Compliance: The solution ensured compliance with industry standards more efficiently, reducing the risk of regulatory breaches and associated penalties.
5. Cost Savings: The implementation of Adlib resulted in a 60% reduction in licensing costs, marking a substantial cost-saving measure for the company.

Benefits realized

The implementation of Adlib's document transformation and automation solution brought significant outcomes for the company:

1. Increased Efficiency and Productivity: Automation of manual processes resulted in faster document processing times, freeing up employees to focus on higher-value tasks. This efficiency translated into improved productivity and shorter project timelines.
2. Enhanced Accuracy and Consistency: Automated metadata extraction and document transformation minimized errors and ensured consistency across all documents. This accuracy was critical for maintaining high-quality standards and meeting regulatory requirements.
3. Regulatory Compliance and Risk Mitigation: Adlib's solution provided the company with robust compliance features, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties. The automated audit trails and document tracking ensured readiness for regulatory audits.
4. Cost Savings: The reduction in manual labor and error-related rework led to significant cost savings. Additionally, improved efficiency and productivity contributed to overall operational cost reduction.
5. Scalability and Future-Readiness: Adlib's solution offered scalability to accommodate the company's growing documentation needs. The advanced technology positioned them for future growth and adaptation to evolving industry requirements.