Planning your lab


‘eManage’: generation of meaningful information from trusted data


Te ‘translation’ from data to information is the key principle of this layer of activities typically performed in the most well-known systems Te real challenge in the new era of Internet of Lab Tings (IoLT) is not about picking up the right acronym for the lab. Te challenge lies in identifying the right solutions that provide answers to a series of requirements: secured connectivity without large investment; usability with limited customisation; ability to share information using the newest technologies; mobile devices and web-access without performing complex platform implementations; and the possibility to use the soſtware as a service. We are observing a large market


transformation in this area. Te presence of systems which are offering a large set of functionalities and product offerings based on new technologies. Multiple soſtware modules adapted to specific


laboratory activities and soſtware platforms allow the creation of personalised solutions with no need to customise but rather configure the system to the needs of the user. Tis revolution will generate large benefits


for the laboratories because the selection of the solutions will be based on the needs rather than the capabilities. Tese modules should respond to a few


critical requirements in order to become part of the ‘solution’: easily connectable to the ‘eConnect’ layer; easily connectable to modules of the ‘eManage’ layer; easily accessible from browsers and mobile devices; and easily accessible from the ‘eDecide’ layer.


What is the end goal?


On one hand, the final goal should be to interface the ‘solution’ with the multiple generators of raw data in order to enable the review directly at the source at any time. Additionally, the possibility to exchange information between the modules of the ‘eManage’ layer, in a flawless manner, should allow the access and interpretation of all data to generate meaningful information. Te possibility to access the ‘modules’ from


any remote location or even from mobile devices in order to manage all the information in the shortest period of time. Te possibility to provide aggregated information to the next layer of systems where decisions are taken. Is this real? Absolutely. Te technology has


evolved to the level that all these goals could be reached. Numerous solutions are already


implemented in various markets where they are using the newest technologies. Te laboratory informatics systems will have to be ready for this new era too.


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‘eDecide’: Rapid decisions taken from meaningful information


In the everyday activities of a laboratory, we are getting used to perform them very rapidly and decisions should be taken in short time. Little remains available for data review, approval of data and creation of related documents. Te request coming from laboratory’s customers, both internal and external is a prompt answer. Te removal of manual processes, of paper-


based activities and mix of information sitting in different systems is essential for taking faster decisions. Only paperless processes shorten the periods of review of the information and ease rapid decision-making which can then be communicated immediately to the relevant stakeholders. New approaches like the review by exception are helping to increase the efficiency of this process. Te laboratories that are able to respond to


these requests on time and with the adequate level of quality will transform from cost centers to value generators.


Building a Smart Laboratory 2018


their fingertips. Moreover, these tools are able to dig into the underlying systems to view the information and related raw data, when needed. We will finally see one single screen open on


the computers of the managers instead of multiple windows jumping from one system to another in order to desperately collect all the necessary information required in a given moment for a given decision to be taken urgently.


‘eArchive’: essentials to secure long- term multi-departmental archiving


A key objective in operating with efficient archival approach is to reduce the challenge of finding the right data. Considering the growing digital universe, archiving can no longer be leſt behind in a project and considered only once it is too late. Nowadays, we oſten hear about concerns on legibility and format consistency along the time for a given retention time that might end up requiring access to obsolete technologies. Archiving should be approached and designed to reduce multiple types of risk:


The removal of manual processes, of paper-based activities


and mix of information sitting in different systems is essential for taking faster decisions


“ Decisions should be taken according to the


available information. Today many soſtware providers offer simple tools presenting the information in a graphical view, showing the outliers, highlighting the areas of attention, allowing the ‘drill-down’ approach when needed. Fact is that solutions providers, integrators


and customers are joining efforts in organisations like the allotrope foundation, Pistoia Alliance, SiLA consortium to consolidate outputs and tools, that could one day lead to the creation of one single user interface, one single way of showing the information in a unique and personalised dashboard. Simple reports created automatically


overnight and available in the ‘eDecide layer’ first thing in the morning. A new ‘control room’ of the laboratory where decisions are taken to correct situations not in line with the expectations, where scheduling changes are adjusted to ensure that the activities are completed on time, on budget and according to the customer expectations. Is this real? Yes, again. Great reporting and


business intelligence tools are now available to integrate the information coming from different systems and present in a simple and graphical way. All what the managers need at


knowledge limited to one critical person, security and loss of data. A comprehensive archiving protocol should


eliminate the struggle to find the data to the point of desperately looking for the person owning the knowledge of where it is. A corporate master data management and


vocabulary model should support a correct management and archival, facilitating a flawless track record of the data. During the Paperless Lab Academy 2018,


several presentations will focus on this item that too oſten is approached too late in a ‘paperless’ project. Te archiving strategy requires a clear definition of the business requirements and, also the potential technical challenges. Te ability to archive and then retrieve


unstructured data is becoming an urgent need which must be solved in R&D laboratories. Solutions providers are dedicating resources to this matter and positioning their data management soſtware to address the need for better archiving and retrieval. Above all, the ‘eArchive’ strategy is one that requires stronger alignment within the whole company in order to build up a reference master data management strategy at an enterprise-level. n


www.scientific-computing.com/BASL2018


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