Complex requirements of technical-physical labs for a laboratory management system
There are many reservations about customized software. In this article, we dispel them. We show the advantages of individual software when introducing a laboratory management system for a technical-physical lab. And we explain the main differences between the two solutions.
Standard software vs. customized software
What exactly are the differences between standard software and customized software in the field of laboratory management systems for technical-physical labs?
Configuration vs. individual development
In the case of standard software, configuration only takes place after the contract has been concluded. Functionalities required by the test laboratory can only be implemented if the configuration options of the standard software allow this. In the case of customized software, the definition of the functionalities begins before the contract is signed and as part of an extensive consulting process, which culminates in the individual development of custom-fit software modules.
Precision targeting
Standard software is aimed at a broad target group and aims to offer points of contact for a wide range of sectors. The specific requirements of technical-physical labs cannot be considered in detail, as the market is far too small. The "test laboratory experts" at dacore, on the other hand, know the processes in technical-physical laboratories inside out and know what is important.
Combined vs. integrated solution
There is standard software for scheduling and resource planning, document management, CRM, project management and much more. In principle, the entire process of a test laboratory can be covered with a heterogeneous set of different software solutions. However, technical-physical laboratories do not need all the functions of any of the available tools - they still have to be paid for. Moreover, these partial solutions from different software providers cannot usually be combined with each other in a meaningful way. Individually developed software, on the other hand, offers an integrated laboratory management system that is precisely tailored to the processes of a technical-physical testing laboratory.
IT infrastructure
Standard software usually requires a certain IT infrastructure as a basis. This usually has to be rebuilt by the company, which is associated with considerable costs. Customized software, on the other hand, can be adapted to the conditions of the existing IT infrastructure.
Interfaces
Standard software is less suitable for interfaces to other systems, as it relies on the standardization of data and is therefore rarely compatible with other software. In contrast, customized software can be developed in such a way that it is based on existing systems (e.g. ERP) and interfaces are developed individually.
Cost structure
Standard software is usually sold via a license model with high running costs and an obligatory software maintenance contract. Customized software from dacore is sold as a project with a fixed price. This means a high degree of planning security in purchasing and is not associated with running costs. Support budgets are optional and not mandatory for dacore customers.
Updates
No standard software works at the push of a button. Rather, it is configured for each customer. However, the necessary plug-ins have to be adapted after each update of the standard software in order to continue to match the basis of the system. The individual software from dacore is only adapted if the customer gives the order.
What reservations are there about customized software?
During the offer phase, dacore is occasionally confronted with reservations about customized software. CEO Werner Fink reports on the most common prejudices.
"The most common argument is that we don't offer standard software and therefore nobody else can work on our software. It often seems to customers that only one person in the world can program it. I always reply that we are a solid company that has been working with existing customers for over 20 years in some cases. We are not working students. Because in many laboratories, they are the ones who set up the existing Excel spreadsheets on which the laboratory management is based," explains Fink.
"Other typical arguments against customized software are that it is never finished, costs a lot of money and cannot be managed. All I can say to this is that we offer fixed prices and it is part of our philosophy not to touch this fixed price. In addition, our customers are involved in the entire development process, deadlines are set by mutual agreement and then adhered to," says Fink.
Individual development instead of individualization
When it comes to laboratory management software, dacore places particular emphasis on the distinction between customization and individual development. Individualization refers to the adaptation of standard software to the needs of the individual technical-physical laboratory. This only ever takes place within the scope of the configuration options permitted by the standard system. Standard software often reaches its limits when it comes to the highly specific requirements of technical-physical testing laboratories.
Customized development, on the other hand, means that dacore's laboratory management is programmed in such a way that it precisely meets the customer's requirements and maps the processes as desired. Without compromise. This individual development is the result of an extensive consultation process throughout the entire course of the project.