Productivity is a must when managing the efficiency of your lab

Think of all the features and characteristics that may be keeping your lab from being as productive as possible. The list could be extremely long.

There may be redundant data transcriptions, high batch numbers that overwhelm your lab and need to conduct multiple redos.

You may have inefficient methods of turning bits of data into actionable information. It is possible that you may not be communicating in an effective way with other critical systems in your lab. Today’s modern laboratory needs an enterprise resource planning tool that manages multiple aspects of laboratory operations and informatics.  The laboratory must monitor certain metrics to identify operational goal is to reduce turnaround and improve on-time delivery.

In today’s lab environment these aren’t roadblocks but are merely challenges. At the highest level, what you are likely faced with in too much manual work for your staff and some operational processes that are inefficient or time consuming.

You no doubt have heard of a LIMS but today’s technology is not like the LIMS of yesterday. The key for today’s best-of-breed LIMS solutions is automation, organization and reporting.

Automation allows you to create alerts that will let your lab professionals know when certain samples are expiring. You can stay on time and on budget. Automation can decrease the likelihood of backlog that leads to areas of overcapacity not only unlikely but unimpactful. Consider that a best-of-breed LIMS is designed to help you properly document the activities of your lab at a point in time. Mistakes can be virtually eliminated. Quality is improved. Production is enhanced.

Look for Part 2 of our blog on Productivity next week!

Global trends revealed on catalysis and fine chemical synthesis

Interesting global news:

Taken from a global AOL.com website.

The Chemistry Division of Vellore Institute of Technology-Chennai recently conducted a one day national seminar on Recent Trends in Catalysis and Fine Chemicals Synthesis. The workshop was held on 20^th April in the Chemistry Department Lab.

Despite the great success and importance of chemistry too the quality of life, public image has been deteriorated due to the increasing importance of environmental issues by the use of hazardous catalysts (mineral acids) and solvents lead to ecological imbalance.

Today, its not only a question of what we can synthesize, but also how we do it, since environmental and economic pressures are now forcing the chemical community to search for more efficient way of performing chemical transformations. Developing new route for eco-friendly heterogeneous catalyst preparation and their use in the fine chemicals synthesis is keenly noticeable in all industrial countries since it reduces the reaction steps, selective towards target compounds, avoids hazardous solvent, easy catalyst recovery and reusability.

The workshop provided an opportunity for contact between students, academic researchers and manufacturers, potential users of catalysts. With hands on exposure to every individual participant of this workshop, it gave an students and researchers an opportunity to explore in their research in petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals synthesis.

The workshop was technically sponsored by Thomas Baker (Chemicals) Pvt. Ltd. They are a professionally managed firm involved in the manufacture and export of a comprehensive range of the Fine Chemicals and Laboratory Reagents.

What can a best-in-class LIMS do for you?

We all know what brown can do for us (if yo have see the UPS advertisments). But what about LIMS? It's simple. LIMS:

• It will help you adhere to all laboratory accreditations from DOD-ELAB to NELAC to ISO: 1925. For example Omega 11 offers Level 4 Reporting, including CLL-like reports, copies of all documents and more.
• It will emphasize the use of Electronic Data Deliverables (EDDs) such as client-specific SEDDs, EQUIS, ERPMS, ADR.net and more. 
• It provides the utmost in laboratory productivity. For example Omega 11 is designed to reduce your pain points so that you can experience true lab automation. You will benefit from instrument interfacing, the opportunity to use a paperless system and seamless integration.
• It will ensure an effective level of communications between your lab and your other operational systems is possible.
• It will reduce the amount of time it takes you to finalize your work.

Learn more by visiting us at www.khemia.com.

It's a great time to be a lab technician

Did you know that employment of medical and environmental laboratory technologists is expected to grow by 11 percent between 2010 and 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations? That is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Employment of medical laboratory technicians is expected to grow by 15 percent between 2010 and 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

In other words, it's a great field to be in these days. On the environmental side there is all sorts of testing that these technicians can do and their skills are marketable in many different industries.

Here at Khemia, we make software for these professionals that help them to run their lab and meet both client needs and federal and state regulations. As a lab professional, you will be using LIMS just like we offer at Khemia.

Check out the Association of Public Health Laboratories

Every now and then we try to pass along some interesting and informative resources and websites for your consideration.

If you have not visited the Association of Public Health Laboratories website recently, there are some great updates and information there. The Association of Public Health Laboratories works to strengthen laboratories serving the public's health in the U.S. and globally. If you haven't been there recently, check it out!

Members can also select from a wide range of committees in which to join.

Get the flexibility you need with your LIMS

Flexibility refers to being able to make changes quickly and easily, an important consideration in working with a LIMS. Consider the need to edits reporting units, analytes or other data points on the fly. We have made it possible to even change a PQL requirement to MDL without the need for filing a new report or redoing your test. Values can be inserted dynamically.

All access to your software should be recorded with full documentation. Convenient features such as one-click email, fax and scan capabilities will help your lab to run more efficiently saving you time and money. When you have some time, think how flexible your laboratory is now and how such improvements could help your work flow.

Learn more about the flexibility of Omega 11 with this slideshow.

Get the certification you need from your LIMS

When selecting a LIMS for your laboratory, you need a solution that combines industry knowledge with efficiency and cost-effectiveness. And you need the laboratory accreditations that will help you ensure that your needs – and those of your clients – are met.

That list of accreditations includes everything from DOD-ELAB to NELAC to ISO: 1925. Some ability for Level 4 Reporting, including CLL-like reports, copies of all documents and more should be available.

And you’ll want to emphasize the use of Electronic Data Deliverables (EDDs) such as client-specific SEDDs, EQUIS, ERPMS, ADR.net and more.

Eliminate your pain points and benefit from instrument interfacing, the opportunity to use a paperless system and seamless integration. This is what you need when looking for a LIMS – saving you time and money while streamlining operations.