zf-work Pharma – Frequently Asked Questions
Flexible pharmaceutical serialization. Designed around your production environment.
Compliance is a requirement. Flexibility makes the difference.
zf-work Pharma is a Level 3 serialization solution for pharmaceutical production and packaging environments. It helps companies integrate serialization workflows into their existing system landscape, with flexible interfaces, automation capabilities and customer-specific adaptations.
Rather than forcing every production environment into a standard configuration, ZFabrik works to accommodate the systems, equipment and processes already in place.
No production line is too unusual. No Level 4 system is too unconventional.
General Information
What is zf-work Pharma?
zf-work Pharma is a Level 3 serialization software solution developed by ZFabrik for pharmaceutical production and packaging environments. It manages local serialization workflows and connects production-level processes with higher-level serialization systems. The solution can be adapted to different equipment, interfaces and operational requirements.
What is Level 3 serialization software?
In a pharmaceutical serialization architecture, Level 3 software coordinates serialization-related processes at the site or production-line level. It connects production equipment and local workflows with Level 4 systems, which typically handle enterprise-level serialization management and communication with external stakeholders.
zf-work Pharma provides this operational layer, helping connect production processes with the wider serialization infrastructure.
Who is zf-work Pharma designed for?
zf-work Pharma is designed for pharmaceutical manufacturers, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) and pharmaceutical logistics service providers that need to manage serialization workflows across production, packaging or post-processing operations.
It is particularly relevant for companies with existing equipment or software that requires additional integration, automation or process flexibility.
What makes zf-work Pharma different from other Level 3 solutions?
ZFabrik focuses on adapting serialization software to the customer's existing environment rather than assuming every installation follows the same standard configuration.
Key strengths include flexible integration with Level 2 production systems and Level 4 serialization platforms, customer-specific workflow adaptations, automation interfaces and support for specialized production and labelling equipment.
This makes zf-work Pharma a potential fit for environments where standard interfaces or predefined workflows do not fully meet operational requirements.
Features and Capabilities
What functions does zf-work Pharma support?
Depending on the implementation and configuration, zf-work Pharma can support serialization-related workflows such as:
• Local serialization process management
• Data capture through scanners, workstations and machine interfaces
• Automated communication with production equipment
• Integration with Level 4 serialization systems
• Aggregation and handling of rework processes
• Mass changes within supported workflows
• Customer-specific process adaptations
• The precise scope depends on the production environment and project requirements.
Can zf-work Pharma handle specialized or unusual production equipment?
ZFabrik focuses on integrating software with the equipment and workflows used in each customer's production environment. Where standard configurations are insufficient, customer-specific interfaces and process adaptations can be developed to address individual requirements, including specialized labelling equipment.
The feasibility and scope of an integration are assessed based on the equipment, available interfaces and required workflow.
Does zf-work Pharma support crypto codes?
zf-work Pharma includes support for crypto-code handling, including requirements associated with markets that use specific serialization code formats. The exact implementation depends on the applicable market requirements and the customer's existing serialization infrastructure.
Can zf-work Pharma work with existing Level 3 systems?
Yes. zf-work Pharma can be considered for extending or complementing an existing Level 3 environment when additional integration, workflow or automation capabilities are needed.
The objective is to address specific limitations or requirements within the existing setup, rather than automatically replacing the entire system. The appropriate approach depends on the current architecture and the scope of the project.
Integration and Compatibility
Which Level 4 systems can zf-work Pharma connect to?
zf-work Pharma is designed for flexible integration with higher-level serialization systems. ZFabrik has worked with integration requirements involving platforms such as Tracekey, Arvato, TraceLink and SAP.
The available interfaces and integration scope depend on the specific system, version and project requirements. ZFabrik can assess the existing environment to determine the appropriate integration approach.
Does zf-work Pharma depend on a specific Level 2 vendor?
zf-work Pharma is designed to accommodate different Level 2 systems rather than being tied to a single equipment or software vendor.
The integration approach depends on the interfaces and capabilities of the existing Level 2 system. This flexibility can be valuable for manufacturers operating equipment from different suppliers or maintaining an established production infrastructure.
Can zf-work Pharma integrate manual and automated processes?
Yes. Depending on the implementation, data can be captured manually through workstations and scanners or exchanged automatically through machine interfaces. This allows different process steps and equipment to be incorporated into a coordinated serialization workflow.
The objective is to integrate the relevant processes into a coherent operational setup without unnecessarily duplicating existing systems or responsibilities.
Implementation and Reliability
How long has ZFabrik been working in serialization?
ZFabrik has been active in serialization and anti-counterfeiting since 2010, with a focus on production-critical serialization since 2015.
This experience informs the company's approach to integrating serialization software into real-world production environments, where reliability, maintainability and compatibility with existing infrastructure are important considerations.
How does ZFabrik approach customer-specific requirements?
ZFabrik combines its software platform with project-specific integration and adaptation. Rather than relying exclusively on predefined configurations, the company can assess individual production workflows, equipment interfaces and system requirements to develop an appropriate solution.
The scope of customization is determined together with the customer, taking into account technical feasibility, operational needs and long-term maintainability.
Commercial Information
Can zf-work Pharma be rented or purchased?
ZFabrik offers zf-work Pharma through both a permanent licensing model and a rental option. This gives customers the opportunity to consider different commercial approaches depending on their project, budget and operational requirements.
The applicable terms and costs depend on the selected solution and should be discussed directly with ZFabrik.
How can I find out whether zf-work Pharma fits my production environment?
The best starting point is to discuss your existing Level 2 and Level 4 systems, production equipment and serialization workflows with ZFabrik.
Whether you need to connect a new system, extend an existing Level 3 installation or address a specific integration challenge, ZFabrik can help assess your requirements and identify a suitable approach.
Contact ZFabrik to discuss your serialization environment and potential integration options.
