The use of information technology in the laboratory is changing the lab’s role within organizations

Sample preparation can be a labor-intensive and expensive process. What are the factors that should be considered when evaluating the possible transition from manual to semi-automated or fully automated systems? How do they impact your return on investment?

An IT department alone can't plan, implement, and support today's laboratory systems

In the digital era, data is tied to the instrument’s data system, unlike before when an instrument could change but users could still access its data in paper charts and notebooks. That means that in today’s world, careful planning is needed in order to avoid data system changes that can impact access to important instrument data.

Understanding each other's needs and priorities is key to a good working relationship

Where We Are vs. Where We Need to Be

With the architectual basis for integration still undeveloped, users must focus on their own requirements.

Lab automation projects have become cooperative activities between lab and IT groups. This is part of the evolution of lab systems.

We have moved past the point where general computer, word processing, and spreadsheet skills are a reasonable basis for competence in a modern laboratory.

Take a look around your laboratory. Now imagine it without any automated equipment. What would your productivity be like in a facility where all the work was done manually, without the benefits of any automation?

Regardless of what stage your lab is in, planning is essential to the successful application of automation and information technologies.

What effect will product upgrades, version changes, and retirement have on your labs operations? Are you prepared for it?

Just what should management be doing? For starters, setting the guidelines and expectations for project development.