Teaming up for better crop growth

Agri-business manufacturer Novartis Crop Protection is trying to bring more of a team approach to its European business. To make it work, Novartis has employed the help of Cogos Consulting and its new Andromeda2000 product for Microsoft Exchange.

Switzerland-based Novartis has had to blend two corporate cultures after a recent merger. With common regulatory concerns and development of a new common currency, the company saw a need to collaborate more and "develop a stronger European team," said Eric Wilson, chairman of Cogos.Novartis went looking for a collaborative tool that could work in the Microsoft Exchange/Outlook environment.

Andromeda2000 (also available for Lotus Notes) displays tasks, priorities, due dates, responsibilities and updates for the many Novartis operating teams, helping them communicate and collaborate at the national, regional and global level, according to Sergio Pellegrini, head of Information Technology Services at Novartis.

Andromeda2000 provides support for "the urgent need to share knowledge and experience residing within Novartis on a worldwide basis and structuring communication beyond E-mail," he added