With the advent of modern laboratory information management system (LIMS) software, laboratory workflows have been transformed; replacing traditional paper-based data management systems in every industry, automated data capture has increased efficiency at the lab bench, and cloud-based options have improved the speed of information dissemination among collaborators. The introduction of automated security components has improved data integrity, and this gain is beneficial for almost every laboratory currently in use.
Today, forward-thinking lab managers are making the next significant leap from merely collecting data to embracing data science. Until now, lab operators interacted with data primarily through preset LIMS dashboards and reports. Often, the data was unstructured and siloed, making access difficult without extensive data modeling.
This is changing as artificial intelligence and machine learning become integral to laboratory operations. Advanced algorithms now process structured and unstructured LIMS data, integrating it with external enterprise data to provide lab managers and analysts with valuable insights and timely recommendations.
Historical LIMS data is no longer confined; it is utilized to benefit the entire organization, driving deeper statistical analysis and advanced insights.
Advanced analytics: The what, the how, the why
Modern instrumentation, evolving public/private partnerships, and changing industry standards have made mass data collection both straightforward and essential. These advancements have created scenarios in which researchers and analysts must consider an increasing number of variables before making decisions.
Shrinking timelines present their own challenges. The pharmaceutical industry's rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine illustrated what can be achieved when diverse partners collaborate to expedite the research lifecycle. Now that the world has experienced "Warp Speed," there is no turning back. Companies that thrive in the next five years will be those that effectively leverage their data—both new and historical—to accelerate decision-making.
This is where advanced analytics comes in.
A lab-specific, LIMS-ready advanced analytics solution addresses both the challenges of data volume and speed. It provides lab professionals with a comprehensive view of their operations and the enterprise, helping them derive actionable insights from data to identify the next best actions. This visibility enhances speed to market, reduces costs, and supports informed decision-making across the organization.
Understanding advanced analytics
Advanced — the vehicle
A lab-specific advanced analytics solution can process large volumes of structured and unstructured data from multiple sources. Powered by advanced AI, the solution employs statistical and machine learning algorithms to extract meaning from the data, identifying patterns, behaviors, risk factors, and untapped opportunities.
These advanced features are only beneficial if they are user-friendly. The best advanced analytics solutions seamlessly integrate with existing LIMS environments and other data sources, enabling users of all skill levels to engage directly with the data. A familiar point-and-click interface allows users to navigate from LIMS workflows to broader visualizations effortlessly.
Analytics — the destination
The data that drives AI and machine learning in the lab originates from LIMS (including sample and environmental data) and enterprise systems (like ERP and MEP systems). The advanced analytics solution is designed to transform this data into actionable business and statistical intelligence, providing operators with customized charts, graphs, reports, and dashboards for optimizing next steps.
This drives just-in-time decision-making in the lab, utilizing both historical and real-time data to predict outcomes, prevent failures, and unlock insights within valuable LIMS data.
What does this add up to?
Advanced analytics in the lab is crucial for:
- Broader research scope: Leveraging advanced analytics to explore historical LIMS data and collaborate with other relevant data sources for meaningful insights.
- Improved speed to market: A lab-specific analytics solution removes traditional barriers, accelerating research, and facilitating streamlined testing.
- Increased laboratory profitability: By training the advanced analytics solution to identify untapped opportunities and flag risks, labs can optimize their workflows.
Advanced analytics opportunity: The research lab
A perfume manufacturer’s R&D lab
Their challenge: Developing a new scent involves manually testing numerous fragrance combinations, consuming valuable time and resources without guaranteed success.
The solution: Advanced analytics expands their options while reducing the innovation lifecycle. By establishing criteria at the bench, researchers can train their analytics solution to identify promising candidates from years of preserved sample data in their LIMS.
The result:
- Research enhanced by data science: Researchers test only the four combinations recommended by the analytics solution, yet their research scope taps into tens of thousands of data points, significantly improving project outcomes.
- An automated innovation lifecycle: With the advanced analytics solution driving progress from the outset, researchers arrive at the winning scent in record time, leading to increased lab efficiency and profitability.
Advanced analytics opportunity: The manufacturing quality lab
A quality testing lab at a boutique winery
Their challenge: Wine fermentation occupies valuable cask capacity, requiring an average of two years to determine if a batch was worth the investment.
The solution: Advanced analytics transforms uncertainty into predictability. The winery’s LIMS holds five years of product data, and the analytics solution identifies patterns to isolate variables affecting quality. The AI engine learns from these variables to predict which current batches will meet quality standards.
The result:
- Optimized resource planning: Only wines likely to meet quality thresholds, determined by statistical analysis of LIMS data, are fermented, ensuring strategic allocation of cask capacity and enhancing overall efficiency.
Advanced analytics opportunity: The contract testing lab
A contract services lab specializing in pharmaceutical testing
Their challenge: Operating at capacity, this lab finds it difficult to perform routine maintenance without disrupting testing schedules.
The solution: Advanced analytics reduces downtime and forecasts demand surges. By utilizing the analytics solution within their LIMS, the lab team can transition from routine to prescriptive maintenance. The system analyzes existing data to recommend prioritized maintenance tasks based on urgency.
The result:
- Improved operational readiness: Instead of adhering to a static maintenance schedule, lab operators focus on areas needing attention. This approach optimizes the lab schedule and reduces unexpected downtime by alerting officials to potential performance issues before they arise.
Conclusion
To meet today’s market demands, lab managers need a comprehensive view. They must analyze historical data for insights that inform future decisions, identifying risks and opportunities. Maintaining visibility into lab operations and enterprise health is crucial, integrating both for a comprehensive understanding.
Achieving this 360-degree view requires leveraging LIMS data to power an advanced analytics solution capable of delivering statistical and business analysis on demand. This represents the next wave of transformation for the digital lab, and LabVantage is prepared to assist organizations in navigating this evolution.
LabVantage Analytics, a full-featured, self-service advanced analytics solution, seamlessly integrates with LabVantage LIMS. It offers over 520 visualization widgets and more than 1,000 AI algorithms, providing users the flexibility to explore, analyze, and visualize their data in personalized and meaningful ways.
About LabVantage Solutions
LabVantage Solutions, Inc. is the leading global laboratory informatics provider. Our industry-leading LIMS and ELN solution and world-class services are the result of 35+ years of experience in laboratory informatics. LabVantage offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services that enable companies to innovate faster in the R&D cycle, improve manufactured product quality, achieve accurate recordkeeping and comply with regulatory requirements.
LabVantage is a highly configurable, web-based LIMS/ELN that powers hundreds of laboratories globally, large and small. Built on a platform that is widely recognized as the best in the industry, LabVantage can support hundreds of concurrent users as well as interface with instruments and other enterprise systems. It is the best choice for industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and consumer goods to molecular diagnostics and bio banking. LabVantage domain experts advise customers on best practices and maximize their ROIs by optimizing LIMS implementation with a rapid and successful deployment.
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