Value-adding integration - easy with the dacore LIMS
In the physical-technical test lab, measuring equipment management ensures that all measuring equipment is used in accordance with all requirements. Specific software exists for measuring equipment management, but its range of functions is limited: conventional measuring equipment management programs do not record where and when the measuring equipment is used - this is where the advantages of integrated laboratory management come into play.
„Our integrated measuring equipment management reminds you of calibration dates, records maintenance and repair history and enables automated notification for measuring equipment monitoring,“ says Philipp Zinnkann from dacore, describing the key benefits of this solution.
This is well illustrated by a typical process in everyday laboratory work: after repairing or recalibrating a measuring device, it is necessary to prove whether there were any effects on previous measurements, such as measurement errors, prior to repair or calibration. Traditional measuring equipment management cannot map this. Laboratory staff would have to sift through old test reports to find and compile the relevant data.
With the integrated solution, on the other hand, it is possible to trace exactly where a measuring device was used, what its part in the measurement was, how it was used and what results it delivered. On this basis, traceable data can be used to decide whether re-measurements or a recall of a test report are necessary. Traceability and integration are also important for smooth processes in this area of Laboratory 4.0.
Less effort for documentation
The integrated measuring equipment management system documents the use of specific measuring equipment during tests for test reports - even with mobile devices. The measuring equipment used can be recorded conveniently and quickly using a scanner. The combination and grouping of several measuring devices in measuring chains and measuring stations is also documented. This technical connection of the measuring equipment in the test process ensures a high level of transparency: you always know which measuring equipment is doing what and when, and the measurement results are ultimately where they belong.
At the same time, the dacore laboratory management system does everything that a classic measuring equipment management system does. It reminds you of calibration dates or records the maintenance and repair history of each device. In addition, integrated measuring equipment management is the basis for efficient measurement data management: after all, the measuring equipment is the data source for a test. In the laboratory management system, however, this data is available in a consistent, traceable and searchable form and can therefore be used directly.
More than just standard: advantages of the integrated LIMS
The basic data and test and calibration intervals are recorded in the laboratory management system as part of measuring equipment management. In addition, responsibilities for the specific measuring equipment can be defined here and assigned to persons and standards. Dynamic processes such as lending, calibration, comparison tests, blocking or functional restrictions are handled directly in the system. This means that the complete history of each measuring device is available at all times.
On this basis, evaluations can be run across the entire inventory of measuring equipment at the touch of a button, such as which measuring equipment needs to be calibrated in the coming month. Measuring stations or measuring chains can be managed with their own calibration and validation independently of the individual devices. There are also functions for automated notification of measuring equipment monitoring.
Measuring equipment can be assigned directly to tests from the laboratory management system and, conversely, measuring equipment data can be transferred directly to test reports. All measuring equipment is available in the integrated scheduling and resource planning and can be assigned via a graphical user interface. This allows measuring equipment to be reserved and tests to be displayed as early as the quotation phase. It is also easy to assign tests to employees, resources or individual measuring equipment. Whether in the planning or quotation phase or directly before and during the test - the integrated measuring equipment management allows access to all objects linked to each other in the laboratory management system at any time.
Calibration data and images can also be transferred to the test reports in the integrated laboratory management system for the measuring equipment assigned to the tests. The images can still be edited when creating the test report. It is also possible to include measurement data and measurement curves directly in the tests.
Calibration data exchange according to VDI/VDE 2623
Measuring equipment must be calibrated or verified at fixed intervals or before use in order to ensure traceability and traceability to standards, sources of error and supply chains. An essential part of measuring equipment management is therefore the exchange of calibration data between the calibration and testing laboratories. This takes place in XML format in accordance with the VDI/VDE 2623 guideline.
The integrated LMS automatically handles the commissioning and import of data, the transfer of calibration data and calibration reports in the opposite direction, as well as the automatic import and assignment to the respective measuring equipment and tests. This means that all processes are directly traceable and can be used for quality assurance.
Measuring equipment and mobile applications
If mobile applications are used during a test, integration makes it easier to work with them: it is no longer necessary to enter data retrospectively because users can work with the application in the laboratory management system in real time.
dacore DBS has already implemented several such customer-specific solutions. These include the assignment of measuring equipment or measuring peripherals to tests by barcode scan, as well as the assignment of test specimens to tests or storage locations in this way. It was possible to log the activities currently being carried out by scanning a test item, a test and a resource and then specifying the activity, e.g. „Setup start“, „Test start“, „Test end“, directly in the LMS.
Photo documentation of the test setup and the condition of the test specimen before, during and after the test is made much easier. Various input options are available for status information and recording of tests, from barcode scanning and keyboard input to the freehand function. Test item logistics with recording and tracking are also supported. Barcode stickers created from the system are not only used here, but also allow users direct access to the measuring equipment history with current status, calibration history, the date of the next calibration and the next planned use.
But mobile applications make even more possible. For example, test item or inspection information can be recognized directly from the image content without scanning. The tracking of test specimens is possible both at close range and globally: RFID tags can be used to locate test specimens quickly and reliably in large storage areas, even without prior storage and with dynamic area occupancy. During transportation, on the other hand, the position of test specimens can be tracked at any time using GPS data.
With a LIMS from dacore, you lay the foundation for your customized Lab 4.0.