From Manual to Automated: A Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Lab Automation
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How Astech Powers the Automated Lab Revolution
Astech recognises the challenges that laboratories face when operating manually, which is why we work hard innovating automation systems designed to transform productivity and boost efficiency. Our proven expertise developing the next generation of lab technology: Robotic Lab Assistants (RLAs), which bridge the gap between manual and automated processes; and LabExpert®, our leading lab automation software solution, together with our impressive full-service approach help labs to move easily from manual to automated workflows.
Below, we’ve outlined the simple steps we can assist you in taking to ensure your laboratory becomes an efficient, automated workplace.
Why Move from Manual to Automated?
Manual workflows have clear limiting factors: human errors, slow throughput and resource drain. The obvious solution to this is automation. Astech’s lab automation systems remove such factors from your workflow to provide a cost-effective alternative that makes laboratories more efficient and productive.
Here’s our guide to help your laboratory transform its output by becoming automated.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Workflow
To help understand the opportunities for automation in your workplace, we map the workflow of your lab. This reveals the areas where manual tasks dominate, and assists us in spotting potential openings to deploy automated laboratory equipment or lab automation systems. Astech looks for tasks that are repetitive or standardised to develop the right robotic solutions.
Step 2: Define Objectives and Scope
Once we know the opportunities for automation, it’s imperative to convert the assessment into clear goals. Astech can help you scope your project to define whether you’re after a full-lab automation or a targeted pilot, aligning the right technology with the correct business outcomes.
Step 3: Select the Right Automation Solution and Partner
Laboratory automation is a catch-all term that covers a huge range of equipment. As Atech is an automation partner constantly innovating and updating the products you need, we’re able to help develop the right solutions for your workspace. This means products scalable for any budget, with the flexibility to integrate with your existing software and with data traceability. Our lab automation systems incorporate robotics, software and instrumentation to enable seamless workflows.
Step 4: Design and Validate the Workflow
At Astech, design, build and validation are all crucial elements of our solutions. We engineer customised automated systems designed to integrate with your existing instruments, and deploy control software in order to validate performance. Our automated equipment makes it easy to measure productivity gains, ensure reproducibility and guarantee compliance.
Step 5: Deploy, Monitor and Optimise
Once your automated workflow goes live, Astech supports its ongoing deployment and monitors its performance, helping you continuously optimise your laboratory for maximum efficiency and productivity. Our advanced support services are in place to ensure that your automated lab equipment continues to deliver, and to assist with scalability as your workflow grows in complexity or flexes.
Quick Checklist: Manual to Automated Transition
Ready to go automated? Download or request Astech’s manual-to-automated checklist as you explore our different lab automation solutions.
- Assess current workflow
- Define objectives and scope
- Select solution and partner
- Design and validate
- Deploy and monitor
Why Choose Astech?
Astech are an expert, trusted partner for lab automation with an enviable track record in providing efficient systems for life sciences and pharma. Each of our solutions is engineered and manufactured in the UK, then supplied worldwide thanks to our proven commitment for concept to completion delivery. Choosing Astech for your automation implementation is the smart choice. It means choosing a reliable, innovative and long-term partner for success.
