When it comes to integrating laboratory instruments, the question often arises: should labs create their own custom solutions or opt for pre-existing software? At Scispot, we promote a hybrid model that capitalizes on the benefits of both strategies.
The Crucial Decision: Custom Build or Off-the-Shelf Purchase?
As biotech and pharma labs grow, they must decide whether to buy ready-made software or develop systems internally. This becomes imperative as the data from devices like the Beckman Coulter Biomek NXP Automated Workstation or the Agilent 7890B Gas Chromatograph expands to unmanageable proportions, demanding secure and versatile integration solutions that often necessitate laboratory automation software.
Advantages of Off-the-Shelf Solutions
Off-the-shelf software can be more economical and simpler than crafting custom systems. Yet, these solutions might lack adaptability, might not mesh well with a variety of instruments, or could struggle to integrate seamlessly with essential lab automation software like ELNs or LIMS. For instance, while some generic systems work well with the Thermo Fisher QuantStudio 5 Real-Time PCR System, they may falter with the intricate data outputs from a Shimadzu Nexera X2 UHPLC.
The Benefits of a Custom Solution
ICreating a tailored solution allows laboratories to design functionality specific to their needs, achieving deep integration across various instruments and workflows. This is particularly advantageous for labs using specialized equipment such as the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 Sequencing System, where precise data handling and integration are vital. Nonetheless, the initial and ongoing investment in terms of both time and resources can be significant.
Key Considerations for Lab Instrument Integration: Build vs. Buy?
- Strategic Lab Data Management: Developing a robust data strategy is essential. Laboratories need to plan the management, organization, and utilization of data from devices like the Bio-Rad CFX96 Touch Real-Time PCR Detection System to effectively leverage analytics and ensure they are part of a Connected Lab.
- Lab Instrument Connectivity: Evaluate the connectivity and data output requirements of instruments such as the GE Healthcare AKTA pure chromatography system. If these devices are network-ready, automating their data integration can enhance workflow efficiency and minimize human errors, an essential component of laboratory automation software.
- Technical Expertise Within Your Team: Determine if your team possesses the skills necessary to develop bespoke software. If there is a lack of coding expertise, semi-customizable solutions with user-friendly interfaces and adjustable code options should be considered.
- Lab Workflow Standardization: Assess the uniformity of your lab's processes. Laboratories utilizing highly standardized equipment like the BD Accuri C6 Plus Flow Cytometer might find greater benefits in integration solutions that can be customized to manage unique data effectively.
- Integrating Both Approaches with Scispot: Scispot's methodology challenges the usual either/or choice by delivering a platform that merges foundational data infrastructure elements with the adaptability required for specific lab needs.
Our system eases common integration hurdles, such as connecting new devices like the Olympus BX53 microscope, contextualizing data from sophisticated systems like the Bruker Daltonics maXis II ESI-QTOF, and transitioning smoothly to updated LIMS or ELNs. It also provides the freedom for labs to create tailored solutions for their unique needs using our Lab-as-Code technology.
A Harmonized Strategy for Lab Instrument Integration
Efficient data management is critical for scientific achievement. Ensuring data is FAIR—findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable—is crucial for maintaining data integrity and enhancing operational efficiency. By adopting a hybrid model that amalgamates the strengths of both purchasing and building, laboratories can establish an infrastructure that accommodates the diverse requirements of all users, from those with minimal coding skills to advanced developers.
Discover the transformative potential of our hybrid Lab-as-Code model by exploring our latest interactive demo, designed to revolutionize your laboratory's data integration approach.
