Digital Transformation Consulting

International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) faced significant challenges following its acquisition of the nutrition and biosciences business from a global chemical company. With operations spanning 345 sites, including 100 manufacturing and laboratory locations, and managing over 500 applications, the integration of this new business posed a complex task. A key issue was the need to merge the quality systems of the acquired business with IFF’s existing operations, particularly the SampleManager Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Northwest Analytics Focus EMI, which are critical for manufacturing operations and quality control.

To address these challenges, IFF partnered with Accenture to facilitate a smooth post-merger transition. The solution involved migrating the LIMS system to Amazon Web Services (AWS), which was chosen as IFF’s cloud provider. This migration was intricate, involving an ecosystem of approximately eight applications, over 300 users, and more than 400 interfaces. Accenture's team brought expertise in business process engineering, technical manufacturing knowledge, and change management to create a tailored roadmap that aligned the migration with IFF’s business needs.

The successful go-live of IFF’s new cloud-based solution marked a significant milestone. The integration of SampleManager LIMS and Focus EMI into IFF’s manufacturing processes enhanced quality-control work processes and established a foundation for future cloud opportunities across other business functions. The AWS platform provided IFF with scalability, security, and compliance with stringent IT standards, which are crucial for structured business growth. The improvements in reliability, speed, and connectivity are expected to enhance operational efficiency and compliance with industrial and governmental regulations. This transition not only positions IFF for ongoing innovation but also aims to improve the safety and quality of its products.