Amneal Pharmaceuticals maintains security and FDA compliance with Brivo solution

Jan. 12, 2012
Expanding installation set to reach 200 doors over next two years

Bethesda, MD, November 29, 2011 – Brivo Systems LLC, leader in Software as a Service (SaaS) applications for security management, today announced that Amneal Pharmaceuticals has installed Brivo ACS WebService at four company locations, covering 125 doors, and managing nearly 1,000 employees and contractors.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC, is a U.S.-based firm that develops, manufactures and distributes generic pharmaceuticals regulated and approved by the U.S. FDA. Known as "Generic's New Generation," the company utilizes its newly expanded R&D and manufacturing capabilities to conceive breakthrough developments with lasting impact for a robust product pipeline.

"We are in the narcotics manufacturing business; security is top priority," explained Rob Symbouras, DEA Compliance Manager and Security Manager. "We are very security minded, and we have access control and CCTV installed on top of our burglar alarm systems extensively throughout our manufacturing plants, warehouse, vaults, perimeters, and offices. Our security systems help ensure we comply with strict FDA guidelines to ensure Good Manufacturing Practices, avoid product cross contamination, and guard against sabotage and employee theft."

Amneal began installing Brivo in 2006 and, at present, the company uses Brivo ACS WebService to manage approximately 125 doors at four facilities, with the focus on its manufacturing plants. Symbouras continued, "We have to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering manufacturing rooms as well as limit access to the specific areas of the facility based on an employee's job description. For the vaults, where controlled substances are stored, Amneal employs three layers of security—alarm codes, access control, and requiring two people to simultaneously provide both halves of the necessary access information."

The Amneal installation has an interesting genesis: Symbouras was working for ADT and is the person who sold the original Brivo system to the company, "I sold the system I would have wanted." Symbouras continued, "The managed service feature is my favorite part of the Brivo system. Since we're a 24-hour operation and I'm the main person responsible for security, I get the "emergency" phone calls regardless of the time of day or my current location. When that happens, I reach over for my iPhone and do what I need to do. Someone has been let go? Locked out? Push a button, done. All while under the covers in bed."

"When I'm visiting family, it's easy to just jump on any computer—doesn't matter which browser—no VPN, just log-in and password, and I'm ready to go. Another advantage is my IT Department doesn't need to be concerned for anything about this system —they provide a connection to the cloud and their job is done; no backups, upgrades, maintenance, no headaches."

Amneal is in a strong growth phase. At one manufacturing plant, a 380,000-square foot addition is underway. Over the next few years, Symbouras estimates they'll add upwards to 75 more doors to their Brivo system. Of the 950-plus people under management, Symbouras has them divided into 91 groups with different levels, schedules, and locations of access.

"A day doesn't go by that I'm not asked to give or take away access," Symbouras reported. "I got an email earlier today asking how many employees are allowed into a certain room. We have that information at our fingertips, and we have the capability to maintain an intricate level of who can go where, when, and know where anyone has been at any time." Amneal has video surveillance installed anywhere the Brivo system is installed. Using the two systems in tandem Symbouras and staff use Brivo to trace someone around a building and then use the video to locate them and verify identity and activity.

Rob Symbouras is clearly a satisfied customer. "I can't imagine with another type of system if we lost a server and had to re-create all our groups and re-organize and implement the intricate levels of access we manage. I'm very satisfied, 5 out of 5. I would recommend this system to anybody."

For more information on the Brivo Online Access Control System, contact Brivo toll–free at 1-866-692-7486, option 1 or email [email protected]. To view a demo, visit www.brivo.com/demo