Leaner, more efficient, and more transparent workflows — despite increasing demands
The test report is the central result in the physical-technical test lab, documenting all tests and measured values and presenting the results in tables, graphics and texts. Its structure is correspondingly complex - and the effort required to create it is increasing: new standards and specifications mean that the requirements for accuracy and scope of measurements are increasing, as are the documentation obligations. Automated test reports offer advantages on many levels.
The automated transfer of all data eliminates frequent sources of error from manually created reports: Its content is generated from the standards, product data and measured values in the laboratory management system. At the same time, the test reports are available both internally in the test lab and externally for the client much more quickly and can be transferred directly in electronic form and easily archived by signature after review and acceptance. In addition, automation enables a uniform quality standard across laboratories and the harmonization of reports.
Paradigm shift through full integration
The automation of test report creation is only really possible in the fully integrated "Lab 4.0". Here, data acquisition and data management take place centrally in the LIMS, independently of the reports to be created. The approval of test execution and test conditions takes place there, as does the verification and confirmation that the recorded results are correct and consistent.
The classic output of the test report as a layout version is possible with this approach, but is no longer absolutely necessary. Templates and report fragments are managed on a modular basis and can be compiled and output in a wide range of variants - whether as a short or long form, in German or English.
"Automating audit reports can save time and improve accuracy. With an automated system, you can easily track and manage audit data, create customizable reports and share them with others in real time," says Philipp Zinnkann from dacore, explaining the core idea.
Key advantages
As the test results are available as structured data that can be compiled as required, the error-prone copy & paste from different applications that was and is used to manually compile test reports is no longer necessary. The stored data can be used multiple times without modification - in different depths, in different contexts and from different tests. This makes it possible to use a standardized procedure for generating reports that uses the same layout for the same purposes. However, it is also no problem for an external test laboratory to output reports in customer-specific layouts.
A LIMS in conjunction with laboratory automation creates the conditions for this: standardized device interfaces not only ensure consistent transfer of measurement data, but also eliminate other sources of error. This also reduces the risk of operating errors, while training new employees is less time-consuming.
The greatest time and resource savings result from the structured data storage and the documentation created from the system during the testing process: instead of having to spend weeks preparing data from different sources and in different formats, the test report is now ideally available at the touch of a button immediately after the physical-technical test has been completed.
Interoperability as a basic principle
Interoperability is also a key criterion in this area: measurement results are transferred directly into the system via interfaces, other functionalities such as inspection planning are directly linked, and profiles and data from the measuring devices used, including scans and images of the measuring equipment, are automatically assigned. Templates for visualization are automatically filled from this data and images in the correct format. Flexible adaptations of machines and software make it possible to provide data in a modular way and in real time.
A traditionally equipped technical-physical testing laboratory generally uses separate systems for creating and managing quotations, orders, test reports and service recording. An integrated laboratory management system replaces this system landscape with a continuous workflow with all its advantages, from time savings to error reduction. Automatically generated test reports are an important element here - and at the same time a symbol of the paradigm shift in the test laboratory: a classic prepared test report is no longer really necessary, as it is replaced by prompt or direct data exchange between the laboratory and the client.
In the manufacturer's laboratory, the results are displayed directly on the intranet - it is the data and results that are relevant, not the PDF. An external test laboratory can of course still provide a PDF for customers. The advantage of an automatically generated test report here is the clean structure, from which the data can be easily exported again if required. However, if the same or compatible tools are used by the laboratory and manufacturer, data can also be transferred directly. A cross-company, completely digital workflow in both directions is the "target image". In practice, the validation requirements of ISO 17025 are still causing problems here, but this vision has already been realized in some areas - and development is not standing still.
With a LIMS from dacore, you lay the foundation for your customized Lab 4.0.