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MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence Reviews

About MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence

MasterControl Mx is a next-gen MES for life sciences, boosting production efficiency, traceability, and compliance with digital tools.

Learn more about MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence

Pros:

It will be easy to integrate with our existing QMS system and user can easily build template.

Cons:

There are some areas that are obviously not geared toward how modern clinical laboratories do document control, but as they get more and more clinical laboratory clients I suspect that will change.

MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence ratings

Average score

Ease of Use
4.3
Customer Service
4.6
Features
4.3
Value for Money
4.3

Likelihood to recommend

8.5/ 10

MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence has an overall rating of 4.5 out 5 stars based on 142 user reviews on Capterra.

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Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Pharmaceuticals, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence (Mx) Embedded with Quality Throughout

5.0 11 months ago

Comments: Overall, we have had a great experience with MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence. The product is easy to use, easy to validate, and allows us to make our manufacturing process digital. The support from MasterControl has also been top tier.

Pros:

MasterControl's Mx solution is embedded with quality throughout the entire platform and process. Mx does not just document completion of executed steps during the manufacturing process. It allows you to easily configure defined parameters and what happens when entered values exceed these limits. The Review by Exception tool allows quality assurance reviewers to focus on specific key areas of the batch record rather than completing a line-by-line review due to these configurable controls. In addition, the product is integrated with the quality solutions of MasterControl, including documents, training, and quality events. For example, the system performs training checks to prevent users from working on a batch record if their training is not complete (there is an option for a supervisor override), and deviations can be launched and linked from the batch record with the quality event status clearly visible to batch reviewers. Lastly, we like how easy the software is to use; we are able to configure it ourselves without needing ongoing consultants.

Cons:

There are some minor software limitations, for example you cannot correct or change a lot number after a batch record is created. There are also some features, such as global elements, that cannot be used in conjunction with other features, such as product families. Once you learn these limitations, you are able to develop workarounds for them.

Justin
Senior Manufacturing Engineer in US
Medical Devices, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

Excellent product and customer service

5.0 last year

Pros:

MasterControl MES has provided my company with a great resource to make our entire process more lean. The savings we have had as a company just from moving away from paper records is worthwhile enough, but the modular nature and no-code simplicity of the interface has allowed us simplify all of our records in a way that was easy to implement. Also, the interface with our quality system was seamless and API integrations are something we are looking forward to putting in place. MasterControl is also constantly improving their software to provide more and more functionality to its end users and the customer service experience has been excellent

Cons:

Integrating with regulatory, validation of templates, and some small lags are the main issues or services that we have not taken advantage of yet.

John
Applications Specialist - QMS in US
Pharmaceuticals, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Manufacturing Excellence in a Pharmaceutical Environment

3.0 last year

Comments: The Mx module of MasterControl has helped mitigate many of the documentation errors that we would often see attributed to end users handwriting,

Pros:

The ability to enforce training dependancies in Production Records to ensure end users are properly trained before executing Phase Steps is critical for day to day operation here at BioSpectra. The different utilities within each different Phase Step Type gives the Template Builder a wide range of formatting options, which is essential for building a Template that is clear and concise, functional, and easy to execute once a record is issued from it.

Cons:

We have experienced quite a few issues while attempting to import or export any Master Templates between the different environments (Dev, Test, & Live Sites). Being in the Pharmaceutical environment, we have come across a few instances where we have identified defects in the system that have been critical for us but low priority on MasterControl's side as they are not a regulated company.

Daniel
RA/QC in US
Medical Devices, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

MasterControl - Digitize Your World

5.0 last year

Pros:

Issuing batch records is extremely simple. Lot number control ensures numbers aren't skipped and the ability to filter records between various products is extremely useful. Mx Builder is user friendly and intuitive to use. Regex expressions allow you to define user inputs, decreasing entry errors.

Cons:

Reporting and data analysis is a bit challenging. Insights is an improvement from Jreports, however, there is still quite a learning curve before the module becomes useful. More training and improvements to the speed/functionality of Insights would greatly improve the product.

Janet
GMP Technical Writer II in US
Pharmaceuticals, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

#MES G.O.A.T

4.0 last year

Pros:

I find the Master Template Builder tool to be relatively easy to use. The interface is user-friendly and functionalities make sense.

Cons:

For Master Template building, our team has found that some restrictions are difficult to find work-arounds for. For example, if an Operation level is configured to be 'Repeatable', if any calculated values are within that repeated Operation, those same values cannot be pulled to other parts of the record. This is limiting when data propagates throughout an entire record. I have trained the Builders to instruct 'transcribing values' from repeatable Operations to be able to be used later downstream.

Chad
Senior Manufacturing Associate in US
Biotechnology, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Review of MasterControl in MFG from builder/user perspective

5.0 last year

Comments: Overall MasterControl has been a huge success for our company. Standards of quality, tracibility and less deviations are all apparent with the implementation on MasterControl within our site.

Pros:

I like the flexibility to build an electronic batch around our process. In the past I've seen process changes occur in order to facilitate lack of software configurability which is a concern. The flexibility of MasterControl eliminates that concern.

Cons:

Fully integrating MasterControl with an established ERP such as SAP is a little more difficult than it first seemed. We have quite intricate batch records with a large amount of differing components. MasterControl has been open and helpful during this process, but there have been many bumps in the road.

Glenn
Senior eQuality System Analyst in US
Biotechnology, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Electronic Batch Record Review

5.0 last year

Pros:

We use this product to maintain our production in our subsidiary, and not many other companies offer this feature.

Cons:

The cost of licensure limits how many people can make and use the eBR.

Audeen
Sr. Manager, Quality Systems in US
Biotechnology, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Review of Production records

4.0 last year

Comments: It continues to be a good experience. I have used manual batch records in the past and it can be challenging in running a process and ensuring that the document is not damaged as well as being unable to read someone's handwriting or managing printouts/attachments. The eBR is more efficient and I like that a user has to be trained before being able to perform a task in the eBR.

Pros:

I did not participate in the configuration. However, I have used the Production Record Solution to issue electronic batch records.

Cons:

I do not like the search function. It can be challenging to search for a completed production record. Some of the fields have too many options for completed records.

Zack
Quality Operations Manager in US
Pharmaceuticals, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Best MasterControl Product

5.0 last year

Pros:

It is extremely easy to both create master templates and complete production records.

Cons:

Taking time to get improvements that I find valuable.

Talenn
Quality Supervisor in Canada
Consumer Goods, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Mastercontrol Review

4.0 last year

Pros:

The change control process is great, so is the search function. E batch records are very useful for the one process we used

Cons:

Our instance was set up by an internal team that should not have been in charge of that task. As a result our instance ended up feeling clunky and unintuitive.

Donnell
Solution Architect in US
Tobacco, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Manufacturing Excellence Module

5.0 last year

Comments: Excellent suite of tools for your manufacturing needs

Pros:

Ease of building Master Template to completely capture our process/EBR

Cons:

API/Integration need to capture all the necessary data points of auxiliary systems.

Roland
Supply Quality Lead in US
Health, Wellness & Fitness, 10,000+ Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

MC is Friendly

4.0 last year

Comments: Is a great porosity and the Customer Service is good.

Pros:

Ease of use and multiple access options.

Cons:

The role out at our site. Not MCs fault.

Greg
Supervisor QMS Systems Engineer in US
Biotechnology, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

MasterControl Mx

4.0 last year

Pros:

Ease of use and flexibility. Helps our manufacturing team become paperless

Cons:

Difficulty in configuration requires a lot of knowledge of MasterControl.

Stephen
IT Manager in US
Pharmaceuticals, 501–1,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Easy to build, easy to use, reduces errors

4.0 last year

Comments: The staff is great, the product is simple to use, but powerful. Would like to see more functionality as the product continues to grow.

Pros:

The system is easy to understand, MBRs are easy to buildThe system is easy to use, production records are easily understoodHelp reduce errors by setting criteria on entries

Cons:

With simplicity comes lack of functionality. Would love to see the system be able to interface with SCADA systems to control equipment, or historians more easily to pull data into the production record.

Jennifer
Application specialist/director of quality in US
Medical Devices, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 2+ years
Reviewer Source

Great manufacturing processes

5.0 last year

Pros:

This makes track products from R&D through full production so sinple

Cons:

A few less documents would be nice to not have to pass through.

Bob
Systems Administrator in US
Pharmaceuticals, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Mastercontrol has been incredible for our company.

5.0 last year

Comments: Overall it's incredible.

Pros:

How easy it is for operators to use during production

Cons:

Nothing at this time it's great. And helps us so much

Kimberly
Quality Assurance Program Manager in US
Pharmaceuticals, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: 1-5 months
Reviewer Source

Easy to Implement for Basic Production

5.0 last year

Comments: Easier than paper batch records and results in less user error.

Pros:

Applicable to our processes, staff loved electronic paperwork.

Cons:

Time to set up properly not fast enough for staff!

Adrienne
Document Control Specialist in US
Pharmaceuticals, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

Game Changer for Electronic Batch Records

5.0 last year

Pros:

It is amazing to be able to have batch records transitioned from paper to electronic.The error rate has declined significantly so the time it takes from production to release of the product has increased which is a plus for the business!

Cons:

The learning curve for myself was a bit longer than I expected but once I figured out what I was doing it is fantastic.

Melissa
Training Manager-Manufacturing in US
Biotechnology, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 6-12 months
Reviewer Source

MasterControl Manufacturing Excellence EBR Builder

5.0 last year

Comments: Reducing of human errors for caluclations, missed steps and legibility.

Pros:

Features like calucalation of time, weights, enforcing numeric digits, warning when out of specification.

Cons:

Not allow pictures s and being able to do basic text formatting at phse steps.

Vanessa
MC SysAdmin in US
Pharmaceuticals, 5,001–10,000 Employees
Used the Software for: Free Trial
Reviewer Source

Good

5.0 last year

Pros:

Easy to use, user friendly. Paperless, efficient

Cons:

Not really bad to share, unless basic user not needed.

Sakshi
Pharmacy services Informatics project manager in Portugal
Pharmaceuticals, 1,001–5,000 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Culture change with MX

4.0 2 years ago

Pros:

1. Culture change where site is now doing paperless and getting comfortable with systems in general

Cons:

1. It’s fairly new so a lot of kinks needs to be removed. Need to ensure it is scalable

Jonathan
LD Manager in US
Research, 51–200 Employees
Used the Software for: Free Trial
Reviewer Source

MasterControl User Feedback

4.0 last year

Pros:

Robustness. The robustness and complexity help the manufacturing process run smoother.

Cons:

Not intuitive and user-friendly. The system is complex and require substantial training in order to be able to use it effectively and efficiently.

Verified Reviewer
Verified LinkedIn User
Pharmaceuticals, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: 1+ year
Reviewer Source

Go Paperless!

5.0 2 years ago

Pros:

The UI is very user friendly and intuitive

Cons:

Lack of a dark mode feature, themes were recently removed and a dark mode would be nice and easier on the eyes for those accustomed to it

Christian
CSV manager in Germany
Pharmaceuticals, 11–50 Employees
Used the Software for: Free Trial
Reviewer Source

Mx and eqms

5.0 2 years ago

Pros:

Easy implementationEasy useEasy Administration

Cons:

Everything 🥳 the hackerton, but the Session almost.

Jodi
Quality Manager in US
Facilities Services, 201–500 Employees
Used the Software for: Free Trial
Reviewer Source

Review

4.0 last year

Pros:

Offers a lot of different features and solutions

Cons:

Took awhile to set up and need a team to implement