CAQ User Engelhard: Inspection Reliability & Transparency
Founded in 1872, Engelhard employs over 500 people who research, develop, and manufacture high-quality products for respiratory and skin diseases, attention disorders, digestive problems, and other conditions. As one of the leading brand manufacturers in the OTC sector, the company primarily sells over-the-counter medications for self-medication that are available exclusively in pharmacies.
Benefits of Introducing CAQ.Net
- Improved inspection reliability
- Standardization of training documentation and increased transparency
- Faster response to unforeseen events and initiation of necessary adjustments
- Improvements in the transparency and traceability of changes
Engelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG
Location: Germany
Customer since: 2020
www.engelhard.de/en/
Products: OTC drugs (over-the-counter drugs), medical devices, and dietary supplements
Industry: Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
Regulations: GMP, ISO 13485
Software Modules in Focus:
- Change Management
- Training Management
- Document Management
- Deviation Management
Distinguished Quality
Engelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG was one of the companies that we honoured with the Quality Excellence Award in 2025.
Digitalization of Business Processes
CAQ.Net was introduced at Engelhard for several strategic reasons, with the aim of improving both efficiency and quality in various areas of the business. As a pharmaceutical company, one of the main factors was inspection reliability. The goal was to ensure that all necessary evidence and documents were available and up to date at all times. This was intended to make the preparation and execution of audits and inspections significantly more secure and reliable. Overall, the introduction of the software was intended to contribute significantly to the optimization of business processes and create a solid basis for future growth and continuous improvement. The digitalization of various processes, such as training, documents, deviation management, change control, and action management, was intended to result in uniform and structured handling of these processes in order to reduce the susceptibility to errors and increase process quality.
Inspection Reliability and Transparency
By using CAQ.Net, the company has achieved some significant successes that have permanently improved and optimized its working methods. One outstanding success is the improvement in inspection reliability. Thanks to the software, a large number of inquiries from inspectors can now be answered directly in the system without any waiting time. This has significantly accelerated the inspection process and increased transparency for inspectors/auditors, resulting in smoother operations and positive inspection/audit results.
Andreas Kiehl (Head of QM + QMB), Dominik Viehmeier (Quality Manager)
Training Documentation and Qualifications
Another major success is the standardization of training documentation and the simultaneous achievement of transparency regarding the training status of employees using Qualify.Net. The current training status of each employee can be viewed in real time and targeted, function-related training can be carried out. This ensures that all employees always have the necessary qualifications.
Change Processes and Deviations Under Control
The software solution also enables faster processing of changes and deviations. The REM.Net and Change.Net modules have significantly accelerated the process, especially in urgent cases. This allows for faster responses to unforeseen events and the rapid implementation of necessary adjustments. The digitalization of these and other processes has not only reduced administrative effort, but also improved accuracy and traceability, allowing resources to be used more efficiently.
Increased Employee Involvement
The introduction of CAQ.Net has contributed to increased employee involvement and satisfaction with regard to quality processes. Improvements in the transparency and traceability of changes and actions have also significantly strengthened employees understanding of quality. Every employee can now directly see and understand the effects of changes, which has led to a deeper understanding of quality standards and greater identification with the processes.
Consistent Implementation of Quality Standards
Another decisive factor is that the procedures described can now be adapted and trained more easily. With the new software solution, the company can efficiently implement changes to procedures and train employees promptly and specifically. This has led to a significant increase in efficiency, as employees can familiarize themselves with the updated processes more quickly and apply them directly in their daily work. Employees are better trained and able to consistently implement the defined quality standards.Dominik Viehmeier (Quality Manager) – Engelhard Arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG
Deviation Process and Documents as Teamwork
By involving more employees in the deviation process thanks to REM.Net, responsibility could also be spread across a broader base. This has not only increased employee engagement, but also given them the feeling that they are actively contributing to the improvement of quality processes. The transparency of document revision in the QBD.Net module is also a key factor in increasing employee involvement. Employees can now easily view the progress and current versions of documents, which facilitates collaboration and minimizes misunderstandings.
Increased Efficiency Through Automation
Automation and personalized reminders for pending measures and tasks have also contributed to increased efficiency. The CAQ.Net software automatically reminds employees of upcoming or overdue tasks, ensuring that deadlines are met and important actions are completed. The digitalization of processes has thus significantly reduced the administrative workload, which has been positively received by employees. Since the processes are now easier and faster to carry out, employees are more motivated to take on and perform tasks.
Reducing Downtime and Optimizing Production Processes
A key aspect of the overall improvement brought by CAQ.Net is the ability to act more quickly, as actions can now be communicated faster and more easily. This enables an immediate response to potential defects and helps to resolve problems more quickly. By implementing measures promptly, the company has been able to significantly reduce production downtime and ensure that production processes run more smoothly.