Faqs
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01.What is Integrated Chemical Management (iCM)?
- Integrated Chemical Management (iCM) is an industry-first integrated solution for Microsoft Dynamics 365 that offers comprehensive functionality for SDS-Authoring and Maintenance, Label Management (including Private Labels) and DEA Management in compliance with the GHS guidelines.
- iCM is integrated with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Supply Chain, providing impeccable security and seamless connectivity to your regulatory data for use in real-time transactions within Microsoft Dynamics 365.
- iCM eliminates the need for 3rd-party integrations to Label Management and other real-time integrations to Chemical regulatory software.
- iCM will be your System of Record (SOR) for all chemical and regulatory data.
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02.What are the high-level features of SDS Management?
- SDS Authoring & Approval with workflows
- SDS Maintenance (create and maintain SDS Setups)
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SDS Distribution (Multiple items, Customers and Contacts)
– Note - End-to-end workflows have been built and enabled for Authoring, Maintenance & Distribution functions. - Create and maintain all master data elements related to SDS
- SDS Templates
- SDS Versioning (Maintenance of major and minor versions)
- Maintain SDS Versions by Country & Language
- Multi-language support for all languages supported by Microsoft
- Auto-derivation rules to derive GHS Label elements by GHS Version
- Note - Auto derivation rules are currently available for Section 2 of the SDS. Automated derivations for other viable sections are in pipeline and will be available in future releases. - Ability to store and print pictograms
- SDS Item Groups - Ability to link multiple items to a single SDS
- Ability to print SDS with your customer’s logo on it (private labels)
- Everything SDS (Logs, Workflow configurations etc.)
- Enhanced logs for SDS Master, Labels and Label Printing
- Mass updates of Safety Data Sheets with any statement or elements changes such as precautionary statements, hazard statements, signal words, pictograms etc.
- “Mass Activation” and “Mass Deactivation” of SDS
- Role-based security for key functions within SDS Management
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03.What are the high-level features of Label Management?
- Label definition & setup
- Label printers setup
- Print labels via updated & automated workflows -
- Receiving
- Shipping
- Production (incl. Packaging)
- Quality
- Transfer orders
- Print Adhoc labels
- View label log
- DEA functionality
- iCM Administrator functions
- Group label printing
- Group label printing to multiple printers
- Multi-tray label printing
- Set print destinations on label definitions
- Placeholders for certification images such as kosher, halal, etc.
- Language selection for sds sections such as; hazardous statements, precautionary statements, etc.
- Additional physical properties such as; specific gravity
- Finished goods label printing - by customer
- Set print destination settings on label print form
- Label printing option included on shipments screen
- Workflows for label creation & setups
- Print finished goods label on packing slip transaction, fg labels are now included in the post packing slip window
- Label printing with storage, tracking and product dimensions
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04.What are some of the job functions that need access to iCM?
- Anyone that requires a view or update of of Chemical / Regulatory data of an item or formula in the Product Information Management (PIM) module.
- Anyone that defines and configures labels for different transactions
- Anyone that prints labels in the back-office or on the shop-floor
- Anyone that maintains chemical regulatory data
- Anyone that authors, views or distributes Safety Data Sheets (SDS) or related information
- Anyone that works with DEA customers or contacts
Note - Refer to iCM FAQs, iCM Implementation Guide and iCM Product Specifications for more information.
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05.Can iCM connect to a Global regulatory database like Ariel, LOLI or similar?
- iCM provides the system, processes and infrastructure to house the chemical regulatory data and does not include a global regulatory database out-of-the-box.
- We are able to build interfaces to 3E (Ariel), LOLI (or similar databses) via approved and subscribed APIs. The APIs exposed by the global chemical databases are dependent on the level of subscription specific to the customer.
- iCM has the ability to house regulatory data and distribute to real-time transactions within Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance & Supply Chain (AX, Finance & Operations).
- We will be able to extend iCM to include any chemical / regulatory information that does not exist currently. By virtue of iCM, we will be able to integrate any regulatory content into iCM and Microsoft Dynamics 365. iCM will be the system of record (SOR) for all regulatory content.
Note - Interfaces to both 3E or LOLI require custom development specific to the customer and will be estimated separately.
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06.Does iCM have the ability to automate and optimize data maintenance?
Yes. Considering iCM deals with a large volume of complex regulatory data, it includes processes such as mass update of regulatory data on safety data sheets, copying SDS data from one SDS to another, SDS group maintenance, automatic distribution of SDS to customer lists etc.
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07.Does XcelPros / iCM provide data services to maintain regulatory data, hazard data and SDS's in iCM and Microsoft Dynamics per country specific requirements and relevant versions?
Yes. iCM / XcelPros provides data services to create / maintain regulatory data on a monthly basis to suit your needs. This is offered as a separate service from the implementation of iCM.
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08.How often can you update the regulatory data (frequency) ?
iCM will be able to interface with any global regulatory database and retrieve data at any frequency. (Daily, Weekly, Quarterly or on an "As required" basis ) Note - iCM has the infrastructure and the architecture to facilitate these interfaces. However, these interfaces with external 3rd party systems are not out-of-the-box and need to be developed specific to customer needs.
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09.Does iCM have the ability to view/ access regulations for all countries in English within the associated Reg database (i.e. Ariel/ Loli)?
If you are subscribed to API's for Ariel & LOLI that provide the ability to view / access regulations in English, we will be able to interface the information and bring it into iCM.
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10.Ability to author country specific SDSs in English and other languages required for each country
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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11.Can iCM support user's input in multiple languages?
iCM will be able to support input in multiple languages as part of the Microsoft Language pack.
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12.Built-in search tools including global regulations, where-used, and ingredient searches
Microsoft Dynamics ERP provides out-of-the-box functionality for "Where-used" and "Ingredient searches" within the Formula Management module. Global regulations search is not included within iCM out-of-the-box. However, it can be built specific to customer's needs.
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13.Built-in reports or ability to create reports (ingredient statements, RoHS, etc.)
iCM has the ability to build custom reports specific to customer's needs.
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14.Vendor supplied Country-specific SDS & Label templates that comply with the specified entity regulations. For example, Section 15 - National legislation and requirements.
iCM and Microsoft Dynamics 365 provide the ability to maintain vendor supplied country-specific SDS and Label Templates as attachments at the item level.
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15.Ability to do updates of multiple SDS simultaneously for changes in material classifications
This is currently an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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16.SDS version management with archiving of older versions
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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17.Ability to classify by raw material rather than CAS-level
This is currently not an out-of-the-box feature in iCM, however it can be built specific to customer's needs.
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18.Ability to override data and displayed values
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM. Chemical data updated manually or sourced from regulatory databases can be overridden in iCM.
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19.Ability to add custom physical or regulatory information
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM. Custom Physical or regulatory information can be updated in iCM.
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20.Management of substances with and without CAS numbers
Microsoft Dynamics provides the management of items with / without CAS numbers.
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21.Transport-specific calculations (ADR, IATA, IMDG, etc.)
This is currently not an out-of-the-box feature in iCM, however it can be built specific to customer's needs.
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22.Maintain formulas and end-product-compositions for products
Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides out-of-the-box functionality to maintain formulas.
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23.Templates for SDS?
iCM gives you the ability to manage multiple safety data sheet templates.
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24.Ability to add custom phys chem fields for specialized data.
iCM includes an extensive list of physical and chemical properties at the item level. However, if the customer requires additional fields, they can be included.
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25.Country specific reports for review of classification and disclosure
Currently, iCM does not have country specific reports. However, we have the ability to build custom reports as required by the customer.
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26.Custom rules support used for populating custom information etc. (i.e.. California SCAQMD stmts.)
This is currently not an out-of-the-box feature in iCM, however it can be built specific to meet customer's needs.
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27.Ability to attach notes, supporting reference information to materials
Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides out-of-the-box functionality to attach notes and supporting reference information at the item level.
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28.Ability to run specific material level procedures ( remove glossaries, reset GHS, exclusions, etc.
Materials (items) are maintained in Microsoft Dynamics 365. This information can be maintained within Dynamics 365 and such material level procedures can be developed specific to customer's needs.
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29.Material level, system level and master settings
Yes, iCM and Microsoft Dynamics 365 include material and system level settings.
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30.Can distribute correct national SDS and language
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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31.Ability to publish in PDF
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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32.Batch printing
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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33.Internet/Intranet SDS viewer with permissions and security control
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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34.Management of supplier/vendor SDSs
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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35.Archiving historical SDSs
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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36.Version management and indication of changes
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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37.Label generation module with links to database and ERP system data
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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38.Ability to handle multiple brands ("private labeling") / Alternate Trade Names for a given product.
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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39.Country specific label templates that comply with requirements of country, regulatory agency etc. and are consistent with information on the associated SDS
iCM offers the ability to create, maintain and reuse labels & label templates across a varity of processes within the chemical supply chain. You are able to create a specific label template for a country / agency and save it in iCM.
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40.Approved labels managed through compliance software
iCM provides the ability manage pre-approved labels.
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41.Label printing capability to support global manufacturing needs
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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42.Ability to Interface with ERP for label printing , logistics etc.
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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43.Ability to interface with business software to access formulas, orders, etc.
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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44.Ability to modify levels of access for different users
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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45.License number of simultaneous users rather than named individuals
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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46.Security and access administered by an iCM Customer
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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47.Allocated annual support hours; define support or special project. Is support allotted per month, or per year? Can it be carried forward.
- Support contract can be designed by what works best for our customers, most contracts are Annual.
- Support hours can be allocated towards special projects as well.
- XcelPros and iCM have a very high-level of skill and expertise in all modules / functions of Microsoft Dynamics. Any support hours purchased for iCM can be repurposed towards Microsoft Dynamics if required.
- Carry forward can be reviewed / discussed as required.
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48.Does iCM offer a Maintenance Agreement or a Support Contract? If so, how does it work?
XcelPros provides iCM customers an annual contract with a monthly allocation of support hours. The monthly allotment can be used by any of the XcelPros Resources (Functional, Technical, Architecture or Project Management) ensuring the most efficient support method is leveraged based on customer's need. Any unused hours will be rolled over to the following month, eliminating “wasted” or “use it or lose it” situations.
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49.Does iCM offer startup support and regulatory team training sessions?
Yes. Training will be provided at the agreed upon resource cost for the project.
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50.Does iCM provide periodic software updates with product enhancements and bug fixes (if any)?
Yes, iCM releases software updates with new and enhanced functionality. Bug fixes are often included in these releases. Sometimes bug fixes may be released on an "as need" basis to meet customer needs. iCM is updated and aligned with Microsoft's product update schedule.
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51.Does iCM have the ability to generate SARA 312, KREACH, EU REACH, Customer Specific Reporting, Canadian NDSL, etc. reporting information?
iCM has the ability to build custom reports specific to customer's needs.
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52.Alerts, approvals, workflows
This is an out-of-the-box feature in iCM.
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53.Other Tools/ solutions the company could provide to compliment, enhance, improve regulatory compliance and abilities
Templates to upload base regulatory data and SDS into iCM.
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54.Ability to handle reaction products
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is able to handle all kinds of items and formulas.
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55.First year total, including training and implementation support
Please refer to the iCM licensing sheet.
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56.Does iCM offer annual or monthly licensing?
Licensing requires an annual contract with minimum buy of 10 Enterprise users.