by Ashley Carter

Share

When you think of a LIMS, you may think about testing and data, but what about the instruments used to complete the testing? Any lab that deals with auditing, such as ISO 17025 or Nadcap, knows the importance of tracking instruments. They need to identify what instrument was used for each test and the active calibration at the time of testing.

Good news! Some LIMS solutions, such as Wavefront LIMS, have created an Instrument Calibration module that integrates with testing. This makes maintaining calibrations, as well as the documentation of the active calibrations during testing, a breeze. Even better, everything is in one system!

Every LIMS provider, that offers such a feature, is going to have their own take on how to address it. Below shows information specific to the LIMS offered by Wavefront Software to provide an example of one method. It is important to compare your laboratory’s needs against what the LIMS provider offers for each module.

Capturing All Information

Each instrument is different from the next, so it is important to be able to capture the appropriate information. Some examples are: how the calibration is to be completed (in house or outsourced), important notes about the instrument and how it should be handled, and notes about the calibration (i.e. if there was any maintenance done as part of the calibration or recommendations for future calibrations). Wavefront LIMS is highly configurable, so the user can create new fields as needed.

Wavefront Instrument Fields
Wavefront LIMS Calibration Fields

Track Upcoming Calibrations

Wavefront LIMS offers a report that identifies the instruments that are expired or are going to expire within the next few months. This is a helpful tool for forward planning of any laboratory.

The interface itself makes expired instruments easy to see at a glance. Color coding the instrument list shows any expired instrument as red.

Instrument Expiration Color Coding

Applying Instruments to Tests

In Wavefront LIMS, users can select calibrated instruments at the test level. Therefore, a review of the test will include what instrument was used. Each selection also includes the date of the calibration that was then active. This provides an easy view of pertinent information in one spot.

Integrating the tracking of instruments and their calibrations in LIMS is extremely beneficial. Click the Schedule a Demo button at the top of the page and a knowledgeable Wavefront individual will reach out. Ask us about how Wavefront LIMS can help your laboratory organize your instrument and calibration data into one system.

About the Author: Ashley Carter

Ashley Carter is the technical sales engineer at Wavefront Software. She has been with Wavefront for several years in both the sales and project management capacity. Prior to joining Wavefront Software, she implemented Wavefront LIMS at the advanced materials laboratory where she worked as a technical quality engineer. In addition to her PMP certification, Ashley has two master's degrees in Metallurgical and Mineral Process Engineering and Engineering Management.

STAY IN THE LOOP

Subscribe to our Free Content

Learning about LIMS is a monthly article series where Wavefront shares questions that have come up throughout our interactions with a range of individuals and customers. We do our best to provide information about each topic to help people learn more about LIMS.

Sign up here to be added to our mailing list and receive these articles directly in your inbox.

* indicates required

Related Posts

  • The Wavefront LIMS Customer Portal can be a powerful tool for your laboratory to improve customer service and increase customer awareness. When evaluating LIMS providers, it's important to understand if the portal would be beneficial for your laboratory and how you could maximize its effectiveness. Take a look at this article to find out more.

  • When searching for a LIMS provider as a small laboratory, it is important to know that you are working with a company that understands the unique needs of your lab. Wavefront LIMS has served laboratories big and small with confidence and success. Find out some of the reasons Wavefront LIMS is a good fit for your small laboratory.

  • Corrective Actions are opportunities for improving processes in the laboratory and beyond. Why not make the most of your LIMS and integrate your QMS by tracking those corrective actions? Find out how Wavefront LIMS supports your laboratory and QMS by incorporating Corrective Action management.

  • Manufacturing processes demand different requirements of their laboratories than other operations do. Therefore, a LIMS for Manufacturing Industries should support the laboratory in meeting those differing requirements. Take a look at this article to learn how Wavefront LIMS can meet your Manufacturing Laboratory's needs, and more!