1. Introduction

We developed a system along with a mobile application for collecting and processing data for Roche.

We created a personalized mobile application along with a complete system infrastructure for Roche, enabling the efficient collection of key information about medical conditions, prescribed medications, and feedback on their effectiveness.

About the Roche brand

Roche is one of the largest biotechnology companies in the world, with a vast legacy built over its more than 125-year history. By providing innovative healthcare solutions, it supports doctors and pharmacists in the treatment of patients.

2. Problems

The challenge of gathering feedback on medications across fragmented markets

Implementing innovative solutions in the medical industry faces unique challenges, particularly in the context of strict regulations and diverse laws governing the global market.

Roche, as one of the leaders in pharmaceutical biotechnology, encountered the need to effectively gather feedback on the prescription of its medications across multiple markets, while considering the specificities of different countries.

3. Goal

Obtaining a system for collecting and analyzing distributed data on drug effectiveness in a significantly shorter time.

Roche needed a system that would allow them to efficiently collect and effectively analyze data on the incidence of diseases in specific regions.

4. Solution

The system, along with a mobile application for medical representatives, allows for data collection directly from the source.

We created a comprehensive, personalized system for Roche, designed for data collection and analysis.

One of its components is a mobile application developed for medical representatives. This group of people has extensive knowledge and the ability to gather new information every day. Therefore, creating a tool that allows them to collect and aggregate the data they acquire has provided the company with an invaluable database of information.

During meetings with doctors and pharmacists, Roche’s medical representatives learn about the demand for drugs. They know who prescribes the drugs and in what quantity—whether it’s a pharmacist or a doctor, and of what specialty.  

The representatives’ knowledge also includes information about the type and frequency of diseases in a given region, as well as related symptoms. They also have the opportunity to obtain firsthand feedback on the effectiveness of prescribed drugs. Until now, the company lacked a tool that would allow them to collect this information in one place and then conduct quick real-time analyses.

The solution from DigitalForms enabled the collection, aggregation, analysis, and inference. Thanks to such precise data—available in real time—the company was able to make much more accurate decisions, which directly translated into increased profits.

5. Process

Rapid prototyping and testing

1. 
   1

   Workshops

   To build a good solution, we always dedicate a lot of time and attention to thoroughly understanding the needs. In this case, we also very precisely verified the challenge that Roche was facing. 
   
   To achieve this, we conducted workshops during which we were presented with the exact nature of the company’s operations and the specifics of the work of Roche’s medical representatives in different countries. We got to know the company’s business context and identified a huge, yet untapped potential that the company could develop with our solution.
2. 
   2

   Assumptions

   The main assumption for the solution we were to design was to create a mobile application that would be used by medical representatives during or immediately after conversations with doctors
   
   The application had to facilitate the collection of data on the types of diseases, the frequency of drug prescriptions, as well as the specialists who prescribe the drugs and feedback.
3. 
   3

   UX Workshops

   The effectiveness of our solution depended on creating an application that would allow for very quick data entry. Any additional task performed by the representative during a visit with a doctor, aside from numerous other procedures, could not take much time and had to be very simple. Therefore, our goal was to develop an intuitive, clear, and extremely user-friendly mobile application. To achieve this, we conducted UX workshops, which enabled us to complete the project in line with these requirements.
4. 
   4

   System Development

   We began designing a comprehensive system in which the mobile application was just one of many components contributing to a holistic solution. 
   
   As a result, Roche gained full technical support in addressing the issue.
   
5. 
   5

   Implementation Plan

   We delivered the first prototype of the working mobile application within just three weeks. We understand that every week, and especially months, are critical in business. Therefore, we avoid lengthy design processes for the initial version. 
   
   Thus, we created a Minimum Viable Product, which could be tested and its core functionalities verified right from the start.
   
   This approach allowed us not only to quickly implement the solution but also to obtain initial feedback. Even at a very early stage of the project, we adapted the design assumptions to reality, creating practical solutions. In subsequent phases, we added new functionalities based on the actual needs of the client.

6. Effect

Increased Profits Thanks to Innovation from Digital Forms

The introduction of a personalized mobile application and a comprehensive data analysis system for Roche’s medical representatives not only streamlined their daily work but also positively impacted the company’s strategic business decisions, ultimately contributing to Roche’s financial success.

Thanks to the system designed by Digital Forms, Roche gained a number of key solutions, including:

Database

Database

The application enabled Roche’s medical representatives to collect precise information on: the type and frequency of diseases in different regions, specialists prescribing medications, and the frequency of specific medications being prescribed.

Real-time Analysis and Insights

The creation of a comprehensive system that included not only the mobile application but also a data strategy, clear dashboards, an application server, and an admin panel, provided Roche with the ability to analyze and draw insights in real time.

Support for Business Decision-Making

The precise data collected through the mobile application supported Roche in making strategic business decisions.

Rapid Prototyping and Feedback

Delivering the first prototype of the mobile application within three weeks allowed for quick testing and verification of core functionalities. Receiving feedback from users at an early stage enabled us to adjust the design assumptions to the client’s actual needs.

Profit Growth

Through better market understanding and effective monitoring of drug efficacy, Roche experienced an impressive profit growth. Reducing the time to market for the solution resulted in a rapid return on investment.