Transforming Quality Through Technology - An Exclusive Interview with Mr. Sachin Chaudhari

In the highly regulated pharmaceutical industry, compliance and technology must move hand in hand. With over two decades of expertise in SAP and quality management, Mr. Sachin Chaudhari has emerged as a leading voice in digital compliance transformation.

Since its publication in December 2024, his book “Leveraging SAP for Compliance in Quality Management in Pharmaceuticals” has garnered attention across the SAP and life sciences community for its practical insights, real-world examples, and focus on bridging business and regulatory requirements.

In this exclusive interview, Mr. Chaudhari shares his inspiration for writing the book, key takeaways for industry professionals, and his vision for the future of SAP in life sciences.

Q: Congratulations on your book! What inspired you to write Leveraging SAP for Compliance in Quality Management in Pharmaceuticals?

Sachin C: Thank you! The inspiration came from my 21+ years of hands-on experience implementing SAP solutions in the pharmaceutical domain. I’ve seen many companies struggle to align SAP systems with stringent regulatory standards such as FDA, EMA, and WHO guidelines.

I wanted to create a practical and accessible guide that helps SAP consultants and quality professionals understand how to configure and use SAP to achieve compliance efficiently. The book draws on real project experiences — what works, what doesn’t, and how to bridge the gap between compliance requirements and SAP capabilities.

Q: How would you describe the main focus of your book?

Sachin C: The central theme is how SAP Quality Management (QM) can be strategically used to achieve compliance goals. The book takes readers through the entire SAP QM process — from batch management and deviation handling to change control and validation. It also explains how QM integrates with other SAP modules like PP, MM, and EHS to create a comprehensive, end-to-end compliance framework.

Q: Who is the book intended for?

Sachin C: It’s primarily written for SAP consultants, quality managers, compliance officers, and IT leaders in the pharmaceutical and chemical sectors. However, students, researchers, and professionals exploring enterprise systems and compliance will also find it valuable. It’s meant to serve both as a technical guide and as a compliance playbook.

Q: What can readers expect to learn or gain from it?

Sachin C: Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how to configure SAP in alignment with pharmaceutical compliance standards and audit requirements. The book includes configuration guidelines, best practices for validation and documentation, and strategies for achieving audit readiness.

My goal was to move beyond theory — to provide a hands-on, experience-based guide that helps professionals use SAP as a driver for both compliance and operational excellence.

Q: How have you seen SAP’s role evolve in the pharmaceutical industry over the years?

Sachin C: SAP has evolved from being a purely transactional ERP system to becoming a strategic compliance and innovation platform. With solutions like S/4HANA, digital signatures, and integrated analytics, pharmaceutical companies can now achieve real-time traceability and proactively identify potential compliance risks.

The future lies in proactive compliance — leveraging automation and data intelligence to prevent issues before they occur. SAP’s evolution is helping organizations move toward that vision.

Q: What advice would you give to SAP consultants and quality professionals entering this field?

Sachin C: Always understand both dimensions — the regulatory framework and the system functionality. Compliance is not a checklist; it’s about ensuring data integrity, traceability, and transparency throughout the value chain.

Keep learning about emerging standards, use SAP’s advanced features such as audit trails and digital workflows, and always align technical solutions with real business needs. That’s the key to creating impactful and compliant systems.

Q: Are you planning any upcoming research or future publications?

Sachin C: Yes, definitely. I’m currently exploring how automation, artificial intelligence, and machine learning can be integrated with SAP to enhance predictive quality management and continuous compliance. My next publication will likely focus on digital transformation and intelligent manufacturing in the life sciences ecosystem.

Q: Finally, what message would you like to leave your readers with?

Sachin C: Compliance and quality should never be seen as obstacles — they are enablers of trust, transparency, and sustainable growth. When supported by the right technology, they become catalysts for innovation and operational excellence.

I hope this book inspires professionals to view SAP not merely as a system, but as a strategic partner in achieving world-class quality and compliance.

About the Author

Mr. Sachin Chaudhari

Senior Solution Architect, Accenture | Senior IEEE Member

Mr. Sachin Chaudhari is a seasoned SAP professional with over 21 years of experience in SAP Production Planning (PP), Quality Management (QM), and manufacturing solutions. He has led numerous end-to-end SAP implementations across the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, achieving significant improvements in compliance, efficiency, and process excellence.

As a Senior Solution Architect at Accenture and a Fellow Member of reputable international organizations such as SCRS, and a Senior Member of IEEE, Mr. Chaudhari is recognized for his thought leadership and commitment to advancing digital compliance in the life sciences. His expertise in SAP S/4HANA, combined with his passion for innovation, continues to drive impactful transformation across global organizations.