Solution Corner

New Integrated Solution Simplifies the Flow of Information
in Life Science and Chemistry Laboratories

SQL*LIMS Integration with Mettler Toledo LabX Reduces Laboratory Time and Costs

All the software in your lab should help you be more productive, but it needs to work together seamlessly and efficiently in order for you to be most effective. Now, Applied Biosystems’ SQL*LIMS® is seamlessly interfaced with Mettler Toledo’s popular LabX® instrument control and data management software. The new interface gives you the ability to manage data more efficiently, while saving you time and costs in day-to-day laboratory processes, when compared to using instruments that are controlled by their own software and that operate independently of any information management system.

This integrated solution now improves the workflow and the transfer of information in your laboratory providing you with the ability to seamlessly exchange data between your precision instruments and LIMS.

For example, analytical and precision balances as well as titration instruments are used for a variety of applications. In many laboratories, they are the basis of virtually all everyday processes. As a consquence, for the laboratory to meet Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards, these processes must be perfected and fully checked for accuracy before they can be used routinely. The combined SQL*LIMS and LabX solution ensures a fully validated system that eliminates the need to check each process for accuracy.

SQL*LIMS can be used by laboratories to manage the entire laboratory workflow, including raw materials, sample tracking and data collection. LabX Data Management and Instrument Control Software controls and manages all Mettler Toledo precision and analytical balances and titration instruments. Once the two packages are integrated, SQL*LIMS takes sample data and, using LabX Data Management Software, sends all operator instructions to the Mettler Toledo instrument screen as a simple and intuitive user interface, so that users can operate the laboratory instruments as normal. The software guides the operator through each step of a work list, ensuring standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed to avoid procedural errors. It performs full data acquisition, data storage, and automated reporting and documentation for audit trails. Data can be stored within the LabX database and/or the LIMS, based on your lab requirements.

Benefits:

Paperless solution; no transcription errors
Simplified user interface
No client PCs needed besides the instrument
User prompts avoid mistakes and enforce SOPs
User management and audit trail provide full regulation support
Methods are managed in one location; changes do not require revalidation

Deliverables:

Support of both titrators and balances
Tight integration between LabX and SQL*LIMS
Use the API’s of both systems, no use of intermediate files
Creation of jobs on the instrument and result capturing from the instrument
Support of work lists and single sample tasks
Real time or batch result transfer
Synchronization of template information for methods and instruments between LabX and SQL*LIMS

Contact Us

To learn more and to receive a demonstration of the SQL*LIMS® and LabX integration, contact your local SQL*LIMS sales representative, or visit us at www.sqllims.com.

Screenshot

Figure 1. The new integrated interface between SQL*LIMS and LabX allows you to track the progress of all your Mettler Toledo titrator and balance activities from within SQL*LIMS. Any attribute or parameter can be initiated, tracked and monitored for any work list right from the LIMS.