Connected By Design: A Strategic Approach To Laboratory Automation And Digital Transformation

By Kelly Rebarick, Manager, Cell & Molecular Biology Routine Testing

Automating individual laboratory tasks can improve efficiency, but disconnected systems and manual handoffs can limit the benefits across an entire workflow. For GxP laboratories, the transition toward connected, increasingly autonomous operations involves more than introducing new equipment. It requires a staged approach to integrating technologies, maintaining compliance, and preparing teams for new ways of working.

In this white paper, Kelly Rebarick, Manager of Cell & Molecular Biology Routine Testing at Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing, traces the progression from automated pipetting and labeling tools to modular workflow automation, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), and connected execution supported by autonomous mobile robots. She identifies eight obstacles that laboratories must address, including validation, integration with legacy systems, data integrity, workforce adoption, return on investment, and selecting the right processes to automate. The discussion also considers how external partners can support pilot projects and help manage implementation risks.

Looking ahead, Rebarick describes an autonomous laboratory in which data are captured electronically at the source, allowing scientists to devote more time to interpreting results and designing experiments. Download the white paper to explore this staged approach to building more connected, integrated, and efficient laboratory operations.