Five Proven Tips To Put The Right Systems In Place For Successful Clinical Trials

By Carrington Ratcliff, NetSuite Life Sciences Account Executive, Sikich

Before launching a clinical trial, biotech companies must ensure their operational systems are ready to handle complexity, cost, and compliance demands. Strong backend infrastructure—finance, procurement, and forecasting systems—is often overlooked but critical to trial success. There are five key upgrades that can help biotech's to streamline operations and reduce risk. First, switching from QuickBooks to NetSuite provides scalable financial management, improving audit readiness, revenue tracking, and inventory control. Adaptive enables dynamic budget forecasting, allowing teams to model “what-if” scenarios and respond quickly to shifting trial timelines. For expense management, Concur or Expensify automate reimbursement and keep scientists focused on science, not receipts. On the procurement side, Prendio and ZAGENO simplify indirect purchasing, automate sourcing, and offer end-to-end visibility on lab supplies and operational goods, ensuring cost control and compliance. Together, these tools create an integrated, efficient operational backbone that supports trial execution. Beyond technology, companies must also align teams, regulatory strategies, and protocols to stay on budget and on schedule. Early-stage biotech firms, in particular, should assess their current gaps and make incremental improvements to build a scalable foundation for clinical success. Investing in the right systems early prevents costly delays and positions organizations for sustainable growth through the clinical development journey.