Tag Archives: Laboratory automation

2023, LIMS

LIMS in the Food and Beverage Industry

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

      The food and beverage industry is a highly regulated industry that requires strict quality control measures to ensure the safety and quality of products. This is where Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) come into play. LIMS is a software-based solution that helps food and beverage companies manage their laboratory data, automate their workflows, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of LIMS in the food and beverage industry and how it can help companies streamline their operations and improve their overall product quality.


     LIMS can help food and beverage companies comply with ISO 17025, FSMA, HACCP, and ISO 22000 by managing their laboratory data and automating their workflows. LIMS also supports GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and multiple disciplines such as microbiology and chemistry in the food and beverage process. Sample planning and scheduling of environmental swabs as well as integration of instruments ensures large sample volumes are kept under control.


       If you’re interested in learning about how QLIMS is implemented in the food industry, we invite you to read our case study.

 

       Implementing a LIMS system in the food and beverage industry can bring significant benefits beyond improving compliance and product quality. These benefits include:

 

  • Increasing laboratory efficiency
  • Improving data accuracy
  • Streamlining laboratory processes
  • Monitoring and controlling the safety and quality of raw materials
  • Capturing traceability information such as test results, equipment records, and analyst certifications
  • Managing and tracking samples
  • Integrating with laboratory instruments
  • Tracking and managing test results
  • Providing fully auditable track records of laboratory resources involved in specific analyses, including scientists, instruments, standards, and SOPs
  • Enabling chain-of-custody support for laboratory materials from sample receipt to final disposition.


     By taking advantage of these capabilities, food and beverage companies can better manage their laboratory operations, ensure compliance with industry regulations, and maintain the highest standards of product quality and safety.

 


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

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.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

QLIMS Case Study: Garvan Institute Of Medical Research

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

OnQ Software - LIMS QLIMS case study

The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is a leading medical research institute in Australia, employing over 700 scientists and support staff. Garvan researchers have established a cancer tumour testing service that is designed to detect mutations to help oncologists determine treatment strategies. To handle the increasingly large volumes of samples it is anticipating, a new laboratory information management system (LIMS) was needed. This case study highlights how QLIMS helped the laboratory overcome these challenges.

 

The Challenge

Some challenges may arise in sample traceability in laboratories. These could be implementation and integration, user errors, system errors, lack of training, maintenance and updates and data security.

Luke Hesson is the Laboratory Head of Cancer Diagnostics at Garvan. According to Luke, the challenge was to ensure that the lab would be able to cope with the sheer volume of samples—potentially 1000+ per year.

“We’ll need to know at any given point where every sample is in the testing process. Without a LIMS that would be incredibly challenging and prone to human error, which would have a flow-on effect on our clinical trials.”

 

While the Garvan Institute was already using a number of different LIMS, none of them was suitable. Fortunately, he had previous experience with OnQ Software through another lab at the Garvan Institute.

“They’ve always been incredibly responsive and helpful, so I felt they were tried and trusted. It turns out they had an off-the-shelf solution called QLIMS, that met around 75% of our requirements, with the flexibility to be effectively adapted for our needs.” he says.

 

The Solution

The solution provided for the automated import of data from various sources. Automatic patient report generation was a huge part of the solution. “We can now, at the click of a button, export all of the data into a report that can go to the clinician and patient. Not only are they incredibly accurate, but the reports also look great.”

 

Another key part of the solution required OnQ to design a tool to read a Health Level 7 (HL7) file.

Luke says, “HL7 is an international standard data encryption method that allows us to securely communicate sensitive patient information between labs. Because the first stage of the process involves receiving data from a SydPath pathology lab at St Vincent’s Hospital, the data is encrypted before we receive it. This solution streamlined our sample accessioning, making it much more efficient.”

 

The Results

Luke is delighted that the Garvan Institute has just received National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation with QLIMS.

“All of those key points needed to be addressed to the satisfaction of NATA so it’s reaffirmed the chain of information custody is accurate and secure. It’s absolutely critical for any clinical testing. And I believe that’s a direct result of the assistance we’ve had from OnQ in designing a LIMS that allows fidelity of chain of information custody.”

If you’re interested in learning more about how our QLIMS 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.

2023, LIMS

Introduction to the LIMS

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer

OnQ Software - LIMS QLIMS case study

 

 

Introduction to the LIMS is a crucial aspect of modern laboratory management. In this article, we will provide a summary of the introduction to the LIMS by discussing its key benefits, exploring its functionalities, highlighting its applications across different laboratories, and offering guidance on how to choose the right LIMS provider for your organisation.

 

What is a LIMS?

 

A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is a software platform that enables users to manage data and workflow processes in a laboratory. Laboratories can record samples, tests, results, automate workflows, procedures and integrate instruments using a LIMS.

However, a LIMS does more than track samples and data management, it helps to manage your entire laboratory process, eliminate human error, reduce time, and save money.

Benefits of using LIMS

 

Here are the key benefits of using a LIMS;

  • Data Management

It allows for the efficient organization and storage of laboratory data, making it easier to access, retrieve, and analyse. With a LIMS, you can enter, store and access laboratory data electronically which eliminates the need for paper records. Additionally, it provides a centralised location for all laboratory data.

You can also read our data migration solution here.

  • Accuracy

A LIMS can help to reduce errors and inconsistencies in data entry and analysis, increasing the accuracy of laboratory results. Also, it can be configured to automate data analysis, reducing the risk of human error in data interpretation.

  • Traceability

A LIMS can help to track the location and status of samples throughout the laboratory process, from receipt to disposal. By attaching a unique barcode or RFID tag to each sample, LIMS can track the location and status of the sample in real-time.

  • Compliance and Regulatory Support

A LIMS provides ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements by providing the necessary documentation and data management capabilities. It enforces specific data entry rules, such as required fields or acceptable values, which improves data accuracy and completeness, essential for compliance purposes.

  • Cost and Time Savings

With all these above benefits, a LIMS reduces labour costs, improves laboratory productivity and increases the efficiency of laboratory operations.

Functionality of LIMS

  • Sample management
  • Instrument calibration and maintenance
  • Workflow capabilities
  • Quality assurance and control
  • Security
  • Compliance
  • Data management
  • Inventory and equipment management
  • Lab automation
  • Cloud or on-premises deployment

LIMS in different labs

The most common misconception is that LIMS is only suitable for large labs. LIMS can be useful for labs of all sizes, from small research labs to large commercial labs. Additionally, you can use LIMS in different types of labs, such as clinical labs, research labs, environmental labs, and manufacturing labs.

Choosing the right LIMS provider

Choosing the best LIMS for your lab can be a daunting task. You can read our blog ‘How to Choose the Best LIMS Software For Your Lab’ here.

If you’re interested in learning more about how our QLIMS 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.

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

The benefits of AWS for QLIMS customers

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer
OnQ Software - LIMS QLIMS case study
Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik

 

AWS (Amazon Web Services) brings significant benefits to QLIMS customers by providing a secure and scalable cloud-based infrastructure for comprehensive laboratory data management. With AWS, QLIMS users can enjoy easy access to their data from anywhere, powerful computing resources for data processing and a range of security and compliance features to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of their data.

 

How LIMS and AWS work together

 

AWS (Amazon Web Services) 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.

AWS and LIMS can provide a powerful and flexible solution for laboratories to manage and analyse data more efficiently and effectively by working together. The AWS cloud platform enables powerful hosting and deployment, storing and managing data, and providing scalable computing resources for handling large amounts of data and processing requirements.

 

What AWS brings to QLIMS customers

 

The cloud-based nature of QLIMS means that laboratories can access their data anytime, anywhere, and from any device with an internet connection. AWS provides the underlying infrastructure and services that enable QLIMS to scale seamlessly to accommodate large data sets, as well as provide powerful computing resources for data analysis and processing.

 

Except for cloud-based hosting, data storage, management and computing power; AWS provides various security and compliance features that ensure that laboratory data is kept confidential with regulatory requirements such as ISO9001 and ISO27001.

 

QLIMS brings comprehensive laboratory management, powerful and flexible solutions to OnQ customers. Laboratories can benefit from the reliability, enhanced security, flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness of cloud computing, while also ensuring the high availability and security of their data and applications.

 

If you’re interested in learning more about how QLIMS 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.

 

 

 

2023, QLIMS as a Platform

How QLIMS is Revolutionizing Your Laboratory: Interview with Jonathan from OnQ Software – PART 3

Posted on by Ezgi Ozer
Vision and Mission
Vision and Mission

 

A Bold Vision For a Significant Mission

 

Interviewer: You’ve shared a lot about your philosophy and core values behind developing and evolving your QLIMS into Version 9. If you were to summarize this vision in one sentence, what would be your mission statement?

Jonathan: Our mission is to bring innovation to the scientific community that empowers every scientist to improve outcomes for humanity for a better life.

Interviewer: You have a bold mission but a significant one. How can scientists embark on this journey with you, and what would be your advice to take that first step?

Jonathan: Pick up the phone and give us a call. That way, we can start looking at what your lab is doing now, its goals and your pain points. If I can figure that out on the call with you, we have taken that first step together and started that journey towards making your lab a better place to work for you.

We may not be the right solution for everybody, or you might not need all of our services. But if we at least help you get to the point where you understand what you’re trying to achieve, then you can look at what you need to bring in to help you get there.

Interviewer: Great, I think people reading this interview now know their next immediate action if they want to make a difference in their lab.

First, looking at what they are doing daily, Then identifying what’s frustrating them and causing their pain, Third asking themselves why they are doing what they’re doing, and finally, going through the process of understanding what they want to achieve.

Jonathan: Literally, just give us a call. Call me, call Ron, and we’ll get to the bottom of it.

The journey to improving your lab informatics starts with that first phone call and talking about your pain points and headaches today. What are you spending your time on? What are they trying to achieve? What are you doing to get there? If I can figure that out on the call with you, we have taken that first step together and started that journey towards making your lab a better place to work for you.

 

A Final Piece of Advice

 

 

Technology is one of three critical factors for a successful lab. The second is the processes, and the third is the people. Only when all three align can you start the journey to a successful lab.

 

 

Interviewer: Brilliant, that’s very good. Then my last question. Is there anything I did not ask during our interview that you would like to share with us before the end?

Jonathan: Yes, if I can leave readers with one last piece of advice: technology is one of three critical factors for a successful lab. The second is the processes, and the third is the people. Only when all three align can you start the journey to a successful lab.

 

 Get in touch with us today to learn more about how QLIMS can help you achieve your goals.