Industry 4.0 and digitisation projects are opening up new opportunities and touching laboratories closely.
The drive towards innovation and efficiency is leading laboratory leaders to rethink the ways in which their facilities operate. In addition, the pandemic has accelerated the digitisation of processes so that they are also possible remotely: think of the possibility of reviewing and approving documents in smart working.
But even today in laboratories, paper is the main medium for quality records.
Even though many instruments generate analytical data in electronic format, these are still printed out to be signed and archived. But without systematic data collection, the goals of Lab 4.0 remain a pipe dream and terms such as Big Data, Predictive Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning remain confined to popular articles or advertising.
Gradual digitisation
The idea of digitisation can be frightening. It does not only mean abandoning traditional ways of working and practice – that staff are used to – in order to digitise their processes, but also investing in new and complex systems such as LIMS/ELN. This transition is usually the prerogative of multinationals because of the high costs and skills required to support it, although it brings with it several benefits, including the ability to analyse, combine and structure virtual data.
But is such an effort really necessary? Or are there systems that allow a step-by-step approach to digitisation?
Inpharmatic proposes an alternative based on cooperative systems, i.e. systems that do not necessarily require the installation of complex systems in order to integrate equipment, but which allow existing systems, instruments and possibly even LIMS/ELN to communicate with each other and make them work together.
The Ioi – Integration of instruments application is able to communicate with all laboratory instruments and with company management systems.
Moreover, Dilab allows you to digitise any checklist, form and laboratory template, as well as any type of electronic logbook, while maintaining the original paper layout and simplifying adoption by analysts.
Ioi and Dilab are natively integrated systems to create an environment where lab data can be collected, documented, reviewed and approved quickly and easily, eliminating paper.
Inpharmatic’s software suite is the ideal solution for anyone who wants to move towards Lab 4.0 without resorting to invasive and expensive solutions. You can start by digitising one instrument or workflow, and then gradually extend the solution to the whole lab as you become familiar with the system.
This approach allows gradual digitisation, a moderate investment and a transition to digital without drastic changes, progressively reducing the use of paper and thus increasing the efficiency of the laboratory.