From Paper-Heavy Workflows to Digital Readiness: an eTMF Implementation in Animal Health

An animal health company worked with NNIT's Veeva team to upgrade its processes, transitioning from paper records to a validated electronic Trial Master File (eTMF) system. The solution improved accuracy, strengthened regulatory compliance, enabled instant access to documents, and made collaboration easier. By supporting the adoption of eTMF technology in animal health drug development, NNIT helped raise the standard for quality documentation and inspection readiness across the full study lifecycle.

Why move from paper to an eTMF? Paper-based processes were limiting trial efficiency

The company relied on physical documentation to manage its trial master files. This led to:

• Manual filing and retrieval that slowed trial progress and created operational inefficiencies. 

• Incomplete documentation and compliance gaps that posed risks to data integrity and regulatory readiness. 

• Paper records that were difficult to track, increasing the risk of lost or misplaced sensitive information. 

• Limited visibility across global teams, which restricted collaboration, slowed innovation, and made it harder to keep veterinary clinical trials progressing efficiently.

Building a sustainable digital foundation for animal health trials

NNIT worked closely with the company to design and execute the transition from paper to digital for animal health research documentation. The project went far beyond technology; it focused on establishing a sustainable way of working for study teams developing veterinary medicinal products. Key strategic initiatives enabling this digital transformation included:

• The CDISC TMF Reference Model was tailored to animal health, incorporating relevant terminology. 

• A governance framework and new SOPs were established to ensure consistent processes. 

• The eTMF system was configured and validated to provide a reliable, complete, and timely data source. 

• NNIT also delivered targeted training and change management to support global adoption, and provided flexible ongoing support for clinical operations to manage administration.

A Compliant Digital eTMF Built for Long-Term Operational Readiness

By combining deep Veeva eTMF expertise with strong knowledge of life sciences and animal health regulations, NNIT ensured a smooth technical implementation and long-term operational readiness. The partnership enabled a structured transition from paper-heavy workflows to a compliant digital eTMF platform, allowing internal teams to focus on advancing veterinary research rather than managing documentation. The result is a more agile, compliant, and collaborative way of working, one that strengthens regulatory compliance and quality and positions the company to accelerate innovation in the years ahead.