Modernization! What? Have you never seen that meme before? If you have, classic, right? If not, just look up “Internet Explorer browser meme”. For those who haven’t seen it, just Google “Internet Explorer browser meme”. The meme pokes fun at Internet Explorer’s notoriously slow load times compared to other browsers, a feature that scientific labs, regrettably, share with the embattled Explorer when it comes to joining the digital revolution. Labs have been slower to adapt due to certain issues stemming from their innate environment (not some shoddy coding) than other industries or areas within their own company. Today’s blog will cover the problems surrounding scientific labs’ slow adoption of digital technology and what can be done to speed it up.
Labs often have complex ecosystems of instruments, applications, and services, as complex as the problems they are trying to solve. Soon enough, the lab resembles Frankenstein’s monster full of different devices and software suites from a variety of vendors. In many cases, some of these vendors don’t like sharing data with computers that don’t have the same ones and zeroes. These so-called “walled gardens” and other factors like age gaps between devices can make data exchange difficult and cumbersome, resulting in pitfalls like incomplete data or data that is manually transcribed by scientists instead of being automated. In fact, it’s believed that 50% of lab time is spent on data management. 50%! Imagine how many problems you could have solved if you had spent that time doing actual lab work instead.
You may be wondering how to address this, or if a way even exists. What could possibly free data from this tangled web of walled gardens and multi-generational assets? While the problem may seem overwhelming, the solution is surprisingly simple: an iPaaS for science. What’s that, you ask? An iPaaS for science is an Integrated Platform as a Service (iPaaS) that provides users with a digital backbone allowing them to connect just about all lab devices and applications – regardless of age or manufacturer – to each other, allowing for automated workflows that can even be integrated with other business applications. This integration enables seamless communication between different systems, resulting in improved data quality, reduced errors, and increased productivity. Not sold yet? Here are some additional reasons to consider an iPaaS for science:
Now that you know what an iPaaS for science is, you probably see the benefits and want one for your lab. The good news is that there’s even better news. The good part is that Scitara has your iPaaS needs covered with our Digital Lab Exchange (DLX). The best part is that you don’t need to do anything drastic to get it.
DLX uses a unique and intuitive engine that enables quick and easy implementation, so you can have seamless data mobility throughout your enterprise by automating procedures, no matter how complex. These systems can also be set up to comply with any regulations or standards that must be met. Should anything go awry, you’ll know, because the data can be monitored and changed (if needed) while in flight. When it comes to the code and contraptions that comprise your lab, DLX’s plug-and-play connector technology can have any device – regardless of things like vendor or even if it’s PC-based or not – connect to your own digital ecosystem. But wait … there’s more! Well, there’s more you can discover that won’t be covered here, because that would be a bit overkill for a blog post.
Let’s take that self-cue and wrap things up.
Scientific laboratories are complex by nature, which prevents them from being as productive as they could be. Yet with DLX, all those pitfalls disappear.
By integrating DLX into your lab, you get unprecedented data automation and monitoring, and every aspect of your lab works in a unified manner once thought impossible. Internet Explorer is dead and gone, so why not let that disconnected lab of yesteryear follow suit?
To get a more in-depth rundown of DLX, check out our recent white paper on the subject here. Download our new iPaaS for science white paper.
About Scitara
Scitara is a global provider of cloud-based, industry-specific platform and solutions for the life sciences industry. Based in Massachusetts, the Scitara leadership brings decades of experience in solving digital challenges for the scientific laboratory: Meet the Modern Lab™. For more information, please visit www.scitara.com.
