Category Archives: QLIMS as a Platform

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

QLIMS Case Study: Confectionery Brand

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

In this LIMS case study, we delve into how one of the world’s leading confectionery brands faced challenges and how QLIMS has worked to bring the highest levels of testing for their raw and packaging materials. 

The Challenge

To meet high-quality standards, all materials entering the factory are tested before being approved for use. This sees the onsite laboratories testing between 15,000 and 20,000 samples a year.

The senior Site Chemist explains, “We have over 150 raw materials for our products and hundreds of packaging materials as well. Some materials are made at multiple sites by the same supplier, and each site will potentially have a different rating.”

The laboratory faces not only a high volume of materials but also complex testing protocols. Materials are graded by risk level and supplier rating, with high-risk materials from reputable suppliers undergoing more frequent testing. Testing occurs on every fifth or even tenth delivery. To manage this complexity, automation is essential. QLIMS is crucial for maintaining control over the testing process.

The Solution

QLIMS has allowed the manufacturer to test large volumes of materials, with algorithms managing test frequency depending on their risk assessment of the material, supplier and site.

 

Their Site Chemist explains how QLIMS helps manage this, “From our warehouse deliveries I’ll simply key in the QLIMS material codes, batch numbers, container numbers, palette numbers, and all the data that we need to clear material into the plant.”

 

QLIMS allows laboratory users to configure the supplier testing requirements via the Sample Type Manager. Using the reduced testing methodology, we can specify how often testing is required on materials on a per-supplier basis. Customized QLIMS reporting aligns with the confectioner’s strict testing criteria. Materials receive a green or red light, indicating whether they can proceed into the warehousing system.

The Results

In food manufacturing laboratories there is simply no room for error. The QLIMS system is essential for the business to manage traceability to guarantee the quality their customers expect and to protect its valuable brand reputation.

 

The Site Chemist highlighted QLIMS as a vital component of the confectioner’s quality assurance for over 11 years. In case of a recall, they can quickly trace the pallets of raw materials used in a particular item. QLIMS provides immediate visibility from the material’s delivery into the warehouse to its exit from the site. This level of tracking, including the production line and end product details, would be impossible without QLIMS.Ready to take your laboratory operations to the next level with QLIMS, just as the confectioner did? Your path to streamlined lab operations begins with a simple click, so don’t hesitate to contact us today.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

Genomic Research Transformed: AWS Integration with QLIMS

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

In a world where the genomic revolution is redefining the boundaries of scientific discovery, the effective management of data is crucial. This blog post dives into how the dynamic duo of AWS and QLIMS is reshaping the landscape of genomics research with seamless integration.

The Genomic Data Explosion

Emerging biomedical methods, such as next-generation genome sequencing, are generating extensive datasets, reshaping the scientific realm. Advanced technologies, like next-generation sequencing, have empowered scientists to decode entire genomes with unprecedented speed and affordability. 

 

This increasing pace of genetic data production has led to an increase in data volumes, opening new horizons for scientific research. However, this data power also brings significant data management challenges. Researchers face with many tasks of collecting, storing, and processing these large data sets. Genome laboratories, in particular, find themselves at the center of this data explosion.

The Role of AWS in Genomics

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform provided by Amazon that offers a wide range of services for building and deploying various types of applications and services on the cloud. 

 

It is a leader in cloud solutions, and plays a critical role in this genomic revolution and data challenges. AWS provides a scalable, flexible, and secure cloud platform, enabling genomics laboratories to cope with the ever-growing flow of data. The agility and on-demand computing resources of the cloud enable genomics to efficiently store, analyse and share its demands and valuable data. 

 

Additionally, AWS ensures data security and compliance with the strictest industry regulations, offering peace of mind to researchers navigating the complexities of genomic studies.

Leveraging AWS for Seamless Integration with QLIMS

The strategic collaboration of Amazon Web Services (AWS) with our QLIMS, sets a new paradigm in genomics research. It addresses the critical need for efficient data management by providing a seamless integration platform that streamlines the entire research workflow.

QLIMS  offers several advantages that amplify its capabilities:

 

  1. Scalability: Genomics research can experience sudden spikes in data generation. AWS provides a scalable infrastructure that can handle varying workloads, ensuring that the LIMS remains responsive and efficient even during peak usage periods.
  2. Cost Efficiency: AWS operates on a pay-as-you-go model, allowing research facilities to optimize costs based on actual usage. This eliminates the need for upfront investments in hardware and infrastructure.
  3. Security: Genomic data is sensitive and requires robust security measures. AWS offers advanced security features, including encryption, access controls, and compliance certifications, safeguarding data integrity and confidentiality.
  4. Integration with Analysis Tools: AWS hosts many tools and frameworks. Integrating LIMS with these tools streamlines data analysis, enabling researchers to derive insights more efficiently.
  5. Global Accessibility: AWS operates across regions, providing global accessibility to the LIMS. This is particularly advantageous for collaborative research efforts spanning different geographical locations.

 

If you would like to explore how the partnership between AWS and QLIMS can revolutionize your laboratory’s genomic research, feel free to contact us. Our seamless integration can help you unlock the full potential of your genomic data, moving your research into the future of scientific discovery.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

5 Reasons Why SaaS LIMS is Essential for Laboratories

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

In the dynamic realm of laboratory management, where innovation is the name of the game, embracing modern solutions is not just an option—it’s a necessity. Among these groundbreaking innovations, SaaS (Software as a Service) LIMS, which our QLIMS exemplifies, has emerged as a game-changer.

 

Here are the five reasons why SaaS LIMS is essential for laboratories,

Seamless Accessibility 

 

With SaaS QLIMS, gain direct access to all laboratory activities, from sample tracking to results analysis, anytime and anywhere. This accessibility breaks down physical barriers, boosting productivity and accelerating decision-making.

Security and Data Integrity

 

SaaS QLIMS prioritizes data security with features like data encryption and web application firewall. Your sensitive information remains safeguarded, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Streamline Laboratory Workflows 

 

Traditional software installations can be a lengthy process. SaaS QLIMS changes the game with fast deployment, getting your lab up and running within a few weeks. It streamlines laboratory work by offering efficient workflows for sample preparation, validation, approval, and reporting activities. Manual processes are replaced with automated efficiency, ensuring smoother lab operations. 

Reduce Reliance on Your Internal IT

 

Boost your productivity by avoiding wasted time waiting for internal IT resources to set up infrastructure and systems in today’s fast-paced laboratory environment. By utilizing a vendor-managed cloud solution, you eliminate the need to wait for your internal IT. This expedited setup process ensures that you can start reaping the benefits of SaaS QLIMS without unnecessary delays.

Improved Resource Utilization and Streamlined Operations

 

SaaS QLIMS allows laboratories to enhance resource utilisation, balance workloads more effectively, and streamline operations. This leads to increased efficiency, greater backup and disaster recovery capabilities, fewer audit failures, and consistently tracked key performance indicators (KPIs).Interested to learn how QLIMS can help your laboratory? Contact us now.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

QLIMS Case Study: Comvita

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

In this LIMS case study, we delve into how Comvita faced the challenges of rapid growth and evolving regulations head-on. Let’s discover how QLIMS revolutionized their processes, making data-driven decisions a breeze and boosting productivity by 20%. 

About Comvita


Comvita is a natural health products company, based primarily around bee products. Since it was founded over 40 years ago, the company has a strong emphasis on science and research, with a focus on natural products with known benefits, such as Manuka honey, Propolis, and Olive Leaf Extract.

With over 40,000 hives in New Zealand and an 800,000 olive tree farm in Australia, they control their supply chain from source to shelf, setting a high standard for traceability. The company has expanded its reach to global markets, including China, Asia, the US, and the UK, each with unique regulations and governance procedures. Comvita has divided its operations into two crucial teams, the analysis and Quality Control team.

The Challenge 

Facing rapid growth and increasing data demands, Comvita’s lab and quality control teams were hampered by manual processes, relying on Excel spreadsheets and Word documents. The Lab Manager explains, “For us, the catalyst very simply was scale.”

 

With new regulatory MPI requirements for Manuka Honey, adopting a new solution became imperative. He notes, “The business went through a very rapid growth curve which meant the amount of data entry and testing required became so large it was difficult to support.”

The Solution


Comvita began by reviewing the business’ requirements and evaluating software solutions, under Project Manager. Being able to prove the traceability of all ingredients from end to end was key.

 

QLIMS cloud hosted with:

  • Worklist Module
  • CAPA Module
  • Sample Splitting and Collation Module
  • QLIMS Bridge for instrument integration
  • Custom Comvita Quality Control Module

The Results

The big win for Comvita since the introduction of the QLIMS has been the speed and decision-making benefits provided by greater data availability, with information from the lab instruments imported straight to the database, and into BI reporting.

 

The lab manager says, “The biggest improvement we’ve noticed has been in productivity. We believe that QLIMS has contributed a time saving of 20% for our lab technicians.”

“We’ve also linked QLIMS to our ERP system via the cloud, allowing us to run Business Intelligence dashboards. This means people are able to slice the data as they need to make decisions in real-time, – You can’t do that if the data is in a spreadsheet.”Your path to streamlined lab operations begins with a simple click, so don’t hesitate to contact us today.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

LIMS in Germany

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

In recent years, Germany emerged as the leader in the European LIMS market. The rising demand for lab automation in Germany has led to the adoption of LIMS. The push towards industry 4.0 has created the demand for modern technologically advanced solutions such as QLIMS.

 


OnQ Software with over 30 years of experience in the field, offers a powerful solution for diverse industries. QLIMS is available in Germany for all industries such as Pharmaceutical, Food and Beverage, Dairy, Meat, Oil and Gas, Medicinal Cannabis, Forensics, Contract Lab, Metals and Mining, Environmental and Water, Genomics, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Clinical. 



OnQ has made strategic decisions to cater to the German market efficiently. QLIMS hosts its services in the AWS region of Frankfurt. QLIMS also provides dedicated German-speaking staff. This localised support ensures that laboratories in Germany can receive efficient assistance, with language not being a barrier. 

 

Another remarkable aspect of QLIMS is its adaptability to meet the requirements of quality control and research and development labs. Its flexibility allows laboratories to optimize their operations, regardless of their specialisation. It can ensure adherence to strict quality standards and facilitate groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

 

QLIMS is dedicated to supporting German ingenuity, reflecting the nation’s rich history of innovation and engineering excellence. As we mentioned in the first paragraph, Germany has the largest share of the European LIMS market. It is clear that LIMS adoption is thriving in this country. As Germany embraces cutting-edge solutions like QLIMS, the country’s commitment to innovation continues to shine on the global stage. 

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

QLIMS Introduces Exciting Package Updates

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

In today’s dynamic laboratory landscape, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for providing exceptional services to customers. At OnQ Software, we are excited to announce updates to our QLIMS packages that are designed to empower laboratories with enhanced capabilities and flexibility.

 


With the inclusion of the Lab Execution System (LES) module in QLIMS Professional and role-based configuration management in QLIMS Starter, we are taking another step towards enabling laboratories to streamline their operations and achieve greater efficiency. In this blog post, we will dive into the key features of these updates and how they can benefit your laboratory.

 


The Laboratory Execution System (LES) module is pragmatic, user-friendly, and efficient, and enhances QLIMS Professional, guiding laboratory technicians through each step of a method to ensure correct and accurate SOP execution. With the LES module’s seamless integration, laboratories can streamline their operations, improve data integrity, and enhance overall performance.
In addition to the LES module, QLIMS Starter now includes role-based configuration management. This exciting update offers greater flexibility for labs, allowing them to tailor QLIMS Starter to their specific workflows and user roles. By customising user roles, permissions, and access levels, labs can optimise efficiency and ensure compliance with industry standards.

 

By further enabling the paperless, digital laboratory, the QLIMS platform continues to empower laboratories with enhanced integration, configuration, and automation. Experience streamlined lab workflows, improved data integrity, and the ability to deliver better services through OnQ Software updates. Stay ahead of the competition and drive excellence in your lab operations with QLIMS.


To learn more about how QLIMS can benefit your company contact us, or request a demo now!

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

QLIMS Business Intelligence – 2

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

Welcome to the second part of our series on QLIMS Business Intelligence. In our previous article, we focused on Dashboards, Visualisations, and the powerful Kibana. In this second part of our QLIMS series, we will delve into the platform’s SaaS solution, maintenance, and development.

 

Accessing laboratory data has been a challenge due to outdated LIMS systems. But modern tools like Business Intelligence (BI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have made data science more accessible. QLIMS serves as a comprehensive tool to manage all laboratory data, and in this article, we’ll explore how its Business Intelligence capabilities help organizations convert data into knowledge.

QLIMS SaaS

 

The QLIMS SaaS solution seamlessly brings together the dozens of services offered by Amazon Web Services in their world-class data centres to offer a coherent LIMS solution to you. 

Get the low latency of CloudFront CDN, the security of Cognito User Pools, and the scaling of ECS Fargate powering up your lab. Then let OnQ Software take care of implementing and administering them. 

Some of the AWS technologies used by QLIMS include:

  • AWS CloudFront – accelerated content distribution from more than 200 global edge locations.
  • AWS ECS Fargate – scalable computing that requires more resources during times of heavy usage.
  • AWS RDS for Microsoft SQL Server.
  • AWS Elasticsearch Service – dedicated search engine for rapid navigation)

Development 

 

QLIMS is continuously developed by a team of full-time software engineers who follow the Agile methodology. Development tasks are prioritized based on user needs, with high-value features given top priority. Work is done in two-week sprints, which allows for greater responsiveness to changing customer needs. All new code undergoes rigorous manual and automated testing before deployment to ensure functionality and regression testing are thoroughly conducted.

 

Maintenance and Updates

 

QLIMS SaaS solution eliminates the need for customers or their IT teams to worry about maintenance tasks and software updates. Continuous updates are applied in a rolling manner, typically without any downtime. If planned downtime is necessary, it is scheduled outside of business hours. For enterprise customers, the system is separated at the infrastructure level, giving them complete control over planned upgrades and maintenance.For more information you can access our QLIMS Business Intelligence brochure and contact our friendly team.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

QLIMS Business Intelligence – 1

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

OnQ Software - QLIMS Business Intelligence

 

Data has become an invaluable asset for organisations, including laboratory data.  However, accessing laboratory data has been a challenge so far because many LIMS applications rely on outdated technologies and systems. But with the advent of modern data analysis tools like Business Intelligence (BI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), the field of data science has become more accessible. The primary function of QLIMS is to serve as a comprehensive tool to manage all laboratory data, serving as the single source of truth. In this blog article, we will explore QLIMS Business Intelligence which helps organisations to visualise the data and convert it into knowledge. This is the first part of our series on QLIMS BI. Stay tuned for the second part.

 

Dashboards and Visualisations 

 

QLIMS offers Business Intelligence dashboards and visualisations that are powered by Kibana, an open-source data visualisation and exploration platform. Kibana is capable of analysing and presenting data in various forms such as charts, graphs, maps, and tables. It will take your laboratory data to the next level in line with our core philosophy of empowering scientists.

 

No need to include your IT department for extracting data in an understandable format, these in-built tools help you to become the owner of your knowledge.

 

Also, dashboards can be used to analyse live data and give direct insights into laboratory operations. Enterprise customers can set up their own dashboards and visualisations. A short training will empower you to become more data-driven. For more information you can access our QLIMS Business Intelligence brochure and contact our friendly team.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

QLIMS Case Study: Baiada Poultry

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

In this blog article, we will explore how QLIMS helped the laboratory in the food industry and overcame the challenges. Baiada is the force behind familiar names like Lilydale Free Range Chicken and Steggles. Baiada has been around for more than a century, and its dedication to providing reliable poultry products has remained constant throughout the years.

In order to deliver safe and consistent products, the company has stringent flock monitoring standards that rely on accurate serological and bacterial analysis on cooked and raw products, along with feed testing. With over 250,000 samples tested every year, speed, accuracy, and traceability are key for Baiada’s state-of-the-art quality assurance lab.[wgl_spacing spacer_size=”100px” responsive_desktop=”true” responsive_tablet=”true” responsive_mobile=”true”]

The challenge

[wgl_spacing spacer_size=”30px” responsive_desktop=”true” responsive_tablet=”true” responsive_mobile=”true”]Managing increased record keeping, especially when it involves large volumes of data, can be a daunting task for laboratories. As testing requirements become more complex, laboratories need to find new ways to handle the growing amount of data generated from testing activities. This can include everything from ensuring data accuracy to maintaining data privacy and security.

Baiada’s lab had traditionally managed its testing records using a Microsoft Access database developed internally. While this was sufficient for basic record keeping, the type and volume of flock monitoring analysis the team needed to conduct was becoming more complex and more resource intensive.[wgl_spacing spacer_size=”60px” responsive_desktop=”true” responsive_tablet=”true” responsive_mobile=”true”]

The solution

[wgl_spacing spacer_size=”30px” responsive_desktop=”true” responsive_tablet=”true” responsive_mobile=”true”]After looking at the various solutions on offer the team quickly determined that the QLIMS solution would be able to provide what Baiada needed in terms of custom build but for a reasonable price.

Rather than trying to integrate QLIMS into their existing database, the decision was made to start fresh with a brand-new system in order to give the team a solution that would be able to scale.

The process

 

Expecting a long and involved implementation process, the team was pleased with how rapidly they were able to get up and running.

“The move to QLIMS was pretty quick. We had 2 weeks to play around with it, then we went live – that was it. We felt very confident in the system, and the team we had to support us. They are honestly good people, and they also know their stuff.”

The results

The biggest benefit, according to Anne-Marie Curle, Food Technologist and QS management at Baiada,

“Definitely saving time! In the old world, we received hundreds of handwritten QA testing submissions every week, which needed to be manually entered into our database. Now our processing plants are able to book their submissions directly into the QLIMS system. That’s freed up a staff member to be more hands-on on the bench, rather than tied up with paperwork.”

“We process anywhere from 500 samples a week – QLIMS has effectively freed up one and a half full-time staff members who we can now reallocate to more important jobs around the lab.”To learn more about data migration, click here. To learn how QLIMS can benefit your laboratory, contact us.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

Advanced Stability Management with QLIMS

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer
[wgl_spacing spacer_size=”50px” responsive_desktop=”true” responsive_tablet=”true” responsive_mobile=”true”]Advanced stability management plays a crucial role in LIMS by ensuring product quality and safety. Companies in industries such as food and beverage and pharmaceuticals must conduct thorough stability studies to determine the shelf life and optimal storage conditions of their products. However, managing these studies can be a complex and time-consuming process, requiring a high level of organization and attention to detail.

 

Fortunately, the latest update to QLIMS’ Stability Manager offers a powerful solution that helps customers stay ahead of future needs. With enhanced stability management features, modern LIMS platforms provide laboratories with the ability to manage stability testing and storage with greater efficiency, accuracy, and control. In this blog post, we will explore how QLIMS provides advanced stability management.

 

A completely new Stability Dashboard keeps track of all activities and gives the users and lab management an inside view of the active studies, all on one screen.[wgl_spacing spacer_size=”50px” responsive_desktop=”true” responsive_tablet=”true” responsive_mobile=”true”]QLIMS’ latest update to its Stability Manager keeps our customers ahead of future needs.

  • Different protocols can be set up to be used within stability schedules.
  • Once approved, samples are scheduled to be pulled.
  • Resource planning can be made as QLIMS automatically sets up calendar events for the scheduled workload.
  • Once the scheduled date arrives the samples become active for result entry.
[wgl_spacing spacer_size=”50px” responsive_desktop=”true” responsive_tablet=”true” responsive_mobile=”true”]If you’re interested in learning more about how LIMS can benefit your laboratory or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts would be happy to assist you in finding the best solution for your laboratory needs.