Quick Tips from Linda: Maintaining Equipment
There are three main approaches lab managers typically take when spending money on instrument maintenance and repair
Did You Know:
There are three main approaches lab managers typically take when spending money on instrument maintenance and repair: 1) wait for equipment to break, fail, or become inconsistent, then react by spending on new purchases or repairs as needed. 2) Purchase a manufacturer’s warranty to cover unexpected failures or breaks that may occur in the first year or two of the instrument’s life (possibly longer with an extended warranty). 3) Purchase a service contract for potential equipment maintenance. Which category do you fall under?
A service contract usually offers the most comprehensive coverage and provides rapid response time, minimizing instrument downtime. Service contracts for new and sophisticated instruments also often come with the bonus of included installation and initial training.
However, not all service contracts are created equal. It is important to educate yourself on the “fine print” and what exactly is covered, and determine which instruments in your lab are worth the coverage. Stay organized with a spreadsheet that outlines all major lab instruments, their purchase costs, dates of when malfunctions occur, and any expiration dates of warranties or service contracts.
