Digital Solutions for Lonza's Information Overload Challenge

Lonza's Small Molecules department, offering contract development and manufacturing services to pharmaceutical and biotech companies, grappled with information overload. Their sales teams faced difficulties in swiftly accessing crucial data buried across numerous web pages, hindering their ability to effectively pitch services to clients. Moreover, Lonza required an intuitive tool to empower their clients in independently navigating and exploring relevant information.

Summary

  • At a glance

    1. Problem: Lonza's sales team struggled with accessing important data due to information overload across various web pages.2. Role: As the Digital Solutions Architect, I led the design and implementation of a web-based solution.3. Solution: Introduced a decision-tree interface inspired by molecular structures, using Strapi and Three.js for content management and 3D visualizations, respectively.4. Outcome: The project significantly improved data accessibility for the sales team and enhanced client interaction with Lonza's services.
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Case Study

  • My Role as Digital Solutions Architect

    As the digital solutions architect, I spearheaded the development of an innovative, web-based solution to tackle Lonza's information overload challenge. Central to my responsibilities was leading client engagement and communication throughout the project's lifecycle.

  • Solution Conceptualization

    Inspired by a previous Lonza video showcasing a molecular motif and NASA's visually captivating microsite, I proposed a unique decision-tree interface. This interface mirrored the hierarchical structure of molecular components, progressing from molecules to atoms to electrons, facilitating intuitive navigation.

  • Technical Framework

    To ensure seamless content management, I recommended leveraging Strapi, a flexible headless CMS that decouples the front-end from the back-end, fostering development agility. Three.js, a powerful JavaScript library adept at rendering 3D animations and visualizations, was selected to bring the interface elements to life.

    The development team at the agency opted for the Angular framework, aligning well with the project's requirements. Considering Lonza's hosting and security considerations, we implemented a hybrid architecture, hosting the front-end on Lonza's servers and the back-end on our infrastructure leveraging an AWS instance for the Strapi installation.

  • UX Considerations

    With a single target user group and a specific information type to convey, the user experience (UX) design demanded meticulous attention. The primary focus was ensuring user-friendliness, creating an experience more intuitive than sifting through Lonza's existing website.

    Website Discovery

  • Design Alignment

    Adhering to Lonza's established brand identity and style guidelines, the design team skillfully transformed my wireframes into development-ready designs. Weekly meetings were conducted to address any concerns and propose revisions, ensuring seamless alignment.

  • Development Oversight

    To facilitate a smooth development process, I organized daily stand-up meetings with the development teams. These meetings enabled close monitoring of progress, addressed concerns, and facilitated the proposal of improvements. The diligent work during the discovery, UX, and design phases ensured a seamless development journey with minimal obstacles.

  • Client Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

    Throughout the project's lifecycle, I spearheaded weekly meetings with Lonza's stakeholders, presenting updates and guiding them through each phase: creative solution, technical discovery, UX design, and development. This proactive communication approach fostered transparency and ensured alignment with Lonza's expectations.

Outcomes

  • Key Takeaways

    The meticulous planning and execution of this project culminated in a highly successful solution that exceeded expectations. The new interface provided intuitive navigation of complex contract development and manufacturing information, empowering Lonza's sales team and delivering a superior experience for their clients.

    • Strategic Vision: By drawing inspiration from diverse sources and leveraging cutting-edge technologies, I architected an innovative solution tailored to Lonza's unique challenges.• Technical Expertise: The judicious selection of technologies, including Strapi, Three.js, and Angular, facilitated a seamless development process and ensured optimal performance.• Collaborative Leadership: My proactive communication with both internal teams and Lonza stakeholders ensured a smooth development process and alignment with their vision, fostering a successful outcome.