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Avoiding Scope Creep in Lab Automation Projects

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  When fine-tuning your automation project and any automated scheduling software, you’re bound to encounter some scope creep along the way. Scope creep highlights the uncontrolled changes that occur within a lab automation project’s scope, swelling the amount of work associated with a project, adding time and costs to the project. Especially if you’re a smaller lab with an airtight budget, scope creep can put you in a very compromising position. How does scope creep occur, and how can you avoid it as you try to improve project efficiency as much as possible? Using  automation scheduling software  may help How Does Scope Creep Happen? Scope creep occurs when you don’t collaborate well with your customers at the start of your project.  Objectives were not properly defined, and its scope lacked clarity, causing a disconnect that led to the project lasting longer and costing more than initially estimated. It’s crucial to press customers consistently yet diplomatically to clearly define wha
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Starting Lab Automation Integration Projects

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  Successfully operating  laboratory automation systems  requires agility, time management, and critical thinking to reduce errors when executing lab tasks. Labs of different sizes have increasingly realized that automating tasks, particularly repetitive and manual ones, increases productivity while improving turnaround times and enhancing staff safety. By utilizing  software for laboratories /scheduling software with widely used lab devices, labs can boost their throughput, increase the quality of their results and eradicate costs.  However, there is no one-size-fits-all when starting lab automation integration projects, as some labs may only be prepared to integrate automation with a few steps.  In contrast, other labs seek full lab automation. It’s essential to start with the basics when adopting  integrated automation  in your laboratory. Automation Integration Basics Irrespective of how complex or simple the integration or automation will be for lab automation integration projects
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What to Look for in Laboratory Scheduling Software

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  If you wish to increase productivity, and ensure consistent and reproducible results in a lab, consider using  automated scheduling software .  Robotic process automation software  helps improve safety and allows your lab team to focus all their energies on more sophisticated tasks. Yes, indeed, many laboratories worldwide are now using  lab scheduling software  to automate their workflow. However, there are still many smaller labs that have yet to make the transition. If you are one of them, you might want to read further. What Can Benefit From Such Automations With the help of the right  lab scheduling software  and connected instruments, you can easily automate a lab’s processes and tests. Here are a few applications that can benefit from such automation within a lab. Liquids: It is without a doubt that liquid handling is an essential part of any lab. Many liquid handling robots are available to help with these applications. They help increase productivity and relieve your staff w
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Why the Market for Laboratory Automation is on the Rise

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  There are many factors influencing the global  lab automation  market. These include the increasing number of patients with chronic diseases, a growing number of studies with a small sample size, and the growing demand for personalized diagnosis and prognosis. With an increase in healthcare spending across the globe, medical technology is gaining popularity. Also, with an increase in the number of research studies that are now being conducted on a larger scale, there has been rapid growth in demand for  lab automation equipment . Lab automation  involves streamlining high throughput applications to help save time and money by automating repetitive tasks. It also enables researchers to perform more experiments within a shorter time, allowing them to focus on important aspects of their project. Types Of Lab Automation There are many types of  lab automation  available depending upon application requirements. Some examples include liquid handling robotics, racks/plates workstation, micr
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Determining the ROI of Lab Automation

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  If you’re running a laboratory, you’ve likely considered implementing  lab automation equipment . Automation is increasingly common, and it is certainly appealing for many; keeping costs down and raising productivity is an enticing offer. If you’ve been considering automating your lab, then you may be wondering what your benefits or return on investment would be for all of that time and money. You need a mechanism to determine the return on investment in automating your lab. First, the question is, why buy  lab automation equipment  at all? Why Automate? Medical and research labs seek automation for cost savings, error reduction, and process improvements as demands for efficiency, patient and employee safety rise. Economic factors, regulatory constraints, and other obligations necessitate the greater efficiency and cost reduction that automation can give.  To satisfy rising demands from all perspectives, the administration of medical and research laboratories requires efficiency in b
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Choosing a Liquid Handler

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  Liquid handling/pipetting is one of the most common laboratory processes. Thus, it is the procedure that is the most commonly automated when considering  laboratory automation systems . Automating your liquid handling steps has many benefits. It improves precision, accuracy and consistency as well as minimizes human error, improves lab workflow, and reduces ergonomic injuries. Deciding on the needed components for a successful automated liquid handler will depend on your process and applications. When Should You Consider Automating Liquid Handling? When sample/plate loads move from a few or dozen to hundreds/thousands When throughput needs move from 5-10 samples/plates per day to 20-100+ samples/plates per day When transfer volumes are too small to handle consistently or precisely When you need more reproducible outcomes When additional labor costs are a concern When the risk of repetitive stress injuries increases When there are safety issues regarding handling infectious or hazardo
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Automating Labs with a LIMS

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  A Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) coupled with  process automation solutions  can greatly increase workflow and productivity. Manual tasks or procedures, such as pipetting, can be automated so no human intervention is required and errors are reduced. Retisoft is one of the best integrators of automation equipment manufacturers that have years of experience working in the lab environment. We provide high-quality automation solutions that are beneficial for laboratories that are using robotic liquid handlers, automated dispensers, or any other iterative procedures. Making Automation Simple Automating workflow in the lab is no longer a complicated process. Modern automation solutions can be accomplished using a simple graphical interface. It’s important, however, that all parties agree to a specific automation system before it is implemented to ensure maximum workflow efficiency. System Integration And Application Programming Interfaces Many LIMS have the ability for ins
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