Participate in webinars or tutorials or read case studies from pharmaceutical software companies

To navigate through the thicket of countless alternatives of software for pharma, familiarize yourself with the available bells and whistles. A good starting point is a discussion forum, webinar, tutorial, case study or newsletter.

I recommend: Golden Helix has online tutorials and webinars for drug discovery software, with staff support and training available. A directory of nearly 200 firms at ChemIndustry enables you to browse through hundreds of offerings of drug discovery software and other software for pharmaceutical applications.

Make sure your drug software facilitates compliance with regulatory mandates

The FDA's traceability requirements are an important part of any pharmaceutical R&D program. With bioassay software that allows replication of chemical configuration and analytical processes, FDA compliance is easier.

I recommend: SAS features a robust array of drug software, with built-in components to foster FDA compliance. To make compliance with the FDA's 21 CFR Part 11 rule, CambridgeSoft has e-notebooks that automate for chemical process and FDA compliance.

Attend user meetings or events to learn directly from drug information software producers and peers

Conferences, trade shows and meetings of user groups introduce you to the leading edge of pharma software development. This establishes relationships with vendors to make it easier to customize solutions for your firm.

I recommend: CambridgeSoft sponsors events worldwide with opportunities for product knowledge updates and networking. The annual INTERPHEX conference assembles pharmaceutical leaders, including pharma software developers, from around the world.