Working in regulated industries has its own advantages and disadvantages. Throughout my career I have worked  within regulated industries (Pharmaceuticals and BioMedical/Medical device), the aim of all the institution I have worked with has a common purpose to solve, to contribute in betterment of human life, to elevate pain restore health and extend lives.  

There are numerous technological opportunities out there in this industry to reduce the operating cost and make the products cost effective and affordable for the patients but as being a regulated industry it has its own drawbacks which serves as restriction in adapting to the latest technological tools, one of which is Google Doc, a freeware web-based office suite offered by Google within its Google Drive service.  Everything being done in regulated industries has propitiatory criteria attached to it, be it a short memo or a simple spreadsheet. The prime aim by restricting user from using this technology tools  is to safeguard the proprietary and confidential information. The  leak of information or breach in the security of the document can adversely affect the growth of the company  as well as create legal issues.

My company has a workforce of 45,000 employees worldwide and they all share common technological infrastructure i.e computers. Assuming 40,000 computer units for 45,000 employees the  company needs 40,000 suites for MS Office to enable user with excess to do their routine work. If you simply apply modest rate of $ 50.00 per computer the total expenditure for the company come around 2 million dollars. Most of the task performed on the MS Office can be performed using Google Doc.  and to add to that it has more flexibility i.e sharing of the document for real time revisions and review, access from any remote location etc. The switch from using MS Office to Google Doc can save my company approximately 2 million dollars the same savings can be passed on to the patients by reducing the product cost and making it more affordable. But the vulnerability of security of the documents make this switch less attractive for regulated industries.

Advancement in technology has revolutionized the thinking power of individual. It has enabled user friendliness and flexibility concurrently, and ideal situation for CHANGE. I would not be amazed if non regulated industries who does not have to adhere to strict regulation would start adapting to this readily available technological platform for performing day to day activities to become more cost effective and ultimately gain competitive advantage to stay ahead in the competition.