Consistent laboratory processes, fewer errors
The IWW Center for Water uses a modern laboratory information system (LIMS) from GUS LAB (GUS Group) to map its laboratory processes. This enables the institute to meet the increasing demands on sample throughput, quality and documentation, among other things.
The chance
When it comes to detecting substances in water, the IWW Center for Water is one of the top addresses in Germany. In its testing laboratory, the institute worked for many years with a laboratory information system (LIMS) developed in-house. This worked well for a long time, but the internal IT capacities were no longer sufficient to further develop the LIMS and continuously adapt it to the increasing requirements. IWW also wanted to automate and thus accelerate other processes that were still carried out (semi-)manually - for example, the recording and sending of test reports. Furthermore, a link between LIMS and quotation and invoice management was on the agenda in order to put an end to the associated duplicate data storage, which led to errors, among other things.
IT - rethought
IWW decided to replace its self-developed LIMS with LABbase from GUS LAB, a company of the GUS Group. The standard version of the solution already contains all the functionalities required for everyday work in the IWW laboratories. In addition, LABbase could be adapted to IWW's individual needs with the help of two tools. The supporting experts from GUS LAB knew the laboratory operations from their own experience and some of them had a background in the natural sciences.
Today, LABbase maps the entire routine analytics as well as the in-house service analytics at IWW - from limit value management, sample evaluation, release, and report generation to the automatic dispatch of test reports. In addition, there is quotation and invoicing as well as communication with the customer. What has remained, however, are two systems for accounting and master data management, both of which are connected to LABbase via interfaces. This enables continuous processing of the analyses.
Fit for the future
The IWW Center Water benefits from the following advantages in particular:
- IWW maps its laboratory processes comprehensively and consistently digitally.
- Workflows have accelerated significantly and are much less error-prone than before
- The increasing demands on sample throughput, quality and documentation can be met more easily and with less effort.
- The LABbase solution creates future security because it includes a toolbox that IWW can use to further develop the solution independently.
- External systems are fully integrated into the new LIMS via interfaces.
- Pricing is much simpler, more flexible and largely automatic with the new LIMS.
IWW staff are relieved of many routine tasks and can concentrate fully on their scientific work.