LABS/Q® - Details

Architecture - LABS/Q®

The architecture of the laboratory software LABS/Q® enables you to use the system in your specific infrastructure.

With our more than 30 years of experience and the continuous optimisation of the LIMS LABS/Q® we have ensured that we can offer a versatile and multi-layered laboratory software.

Our LIMS LABS/Q® is so flexible that it can be easily adapted to the individual infrastructure of your laboratory and is therefore particularly user-friendly.

Multi-tier application
Due to a consistent distribution of the application, the system can be used in any infrastructure. Thus, the database, the business logic, the graphical user interface (GUI server/client) and other parts, such as a help system, web services, interfaces, etc. are completely separated from each other. They can be installed on a single computer or in a distributed computer network.
Cloud capability
LABS/Q® Laboratory Software can also be operated as private cloud or public cloud, e.g. SAP HCP (HANA Cloud Platform) as well as hybrid cloud.
Operating system independence
The JAVA-based development can be used on all common operating systems.
Independence from the database
In principle, all SQL databases can be connected via the JDBC interface. Currently the products Oracle, MS SQL Server and HANA DB are supported.
DMS for unstructured data
Together with the standard system, the free Apache Jackrabbit content repository is also installed. Unstructured data such as documents, regulations, reports, evaluations, pictures, raw data etc. can be managed manually and automatically parallel to the objects of LIMS LABS/Q®. Of course other DMS/SDMS applications, e.g. Open Text, OpenLAB ECM etc., can be connected instead of Jackrabbit.

Adaptability

The configurable “out-of-the-box” laboratory system
Every industry, every customer and even every laboratory has individual requirements for laboratory software. Therefore the LIMS LABS/Q® offers extremely extensive basic functionalities and a high configurability of the database, masks, report templates and functions.

Software adaptability without consequences

All individual adjustments and changes to the system are fully logged and documented. As these are implemented without changing the standard source code, the update and upgrade capability of the laboratory software is maintained.

Master data management with LABS/Q®

Laboratory software for simple master data maintenance
All existing master data can be automatically imported, changed, deleted or cancelled via the interfaces. Manual maintenance is, of course, also possible. Via a multilevel versioning with document control – supported by an audit trail – every change in LIMS LABS/Q® is completely traceable.

Document management with LABS/Q®

The management module for your laboratory
With the integrated document management system – short DMS – all your unstructured data like documents, reports, comments, pictures, raw data (also in AnIML-format = Analytical Information Markup Language) etc. for all objects of LABS/Q® can be stored manually or automatically. The documents can be found via a full text search.

LABS/Q® Lab Software Interfaces

Based on the standard interfaces of LABS/Q® LIMS various uni- and bidirectional interfaces to measuring instruments and external systems such as ERP, MES, PLS, PLM and CDS have been developed. Their scope is constantly expanding, both as a result of developments by the iCD. and by third parties. Industrial standards, such as AnIML, are also supported. The following list provides a brief overview:

SAP interface (individually configurable; certified by SAP)
CDS interface to Thermo Fisher ChromeleonTM (also with raw data in AnIML format)

CDS interface to Agilent OpenLab ChemStation
CDS Interface to Agilent OpenLab EZChrom
CDS Interface to Shimadzu LabSolutions
Interface to Metrohm TiamoTM
Interface to scales of the companies Mettler, Sartorius, Kern, etc.
and much more

Scope of functions - LABS/Q®

Comprehensive functionality based on our many years of experience
With the purchase of the laboratory information software LABS/Q® the functionality of all included modules is also available to the user. Via user roles it can be defined in detail which modules, functionalities and data can be accessed by each user. In the following the functional range of LABS/Q® LIMS is shown:

Durability and stability tests
Environmental / Hygiene Monitoring
Actions and measures (e.g. OOS management)
Test equipment monitoring
Analytical quality assurance AQS
Batch management (batch tracking)
Optimization of chemical syntheses or formulations
LABS Graphic (rule charts, statistical evaluations)
Tablet APP for results recording and inspection order processing
Interfaces to measuring instruments and measuring systems as well as external applications such as ERP, MES, PLS, etc.

LABS/Q® - Inspection Order Processing Laboratory Software

Support by LABS/Q^® in the processing of your inspection orders

Test orders can be created manually or automatically via interfaces or internal modules (e.g. scheduling). Various status changes can be made during the processing of inspection orders. After completion these test orders are automatically archived by the LABS/Q® laboratory information software. To support the processing the automatic acquisition of measured values from the connected measuring instruments is possible in addition to the different possibilities of manual data acquisition (see interfaces). An integrated LES functionality (Laboratory Execution System) supports the employee in the processing of test orders. A special APP for tablets is also offered for test order processing (see APP). Of course, an ELN (Electronic Laboratory Notebook), such as OpenLab ELN from Agilent, can also be connected.

The LABS/Q® LIMS modules

Support at all levels through the extensive LIMS modules APP for inspection order processing

For the LABS/Q® LIMS a native APP is also provided for inspection order processing. This APP for the operating systems Apple iOS and Google Android is executable on tablets and smartphones and supports the test order processing from the creation of the test order via manual and automatic data acquisition to the transfer of the measured values into the LIMS. Barcodes and QR codes, RFID (Android only), image acquisition, LES functions, Google Maps for displaying the sampling points and voice recording are supported. This APP can also work offline (without connection to the LIMS) with the data previously transferred from the LIMS and record measured values, images and comments. If a connection to the LIMS is available again later, the data is automatically synchronised. Thus the APP can also be used outside the laboratory without network access.

LABS Graphic

LABS Graphic is available as Tablet App for the LABS/Q® LIMS. This app can also be used independently from LABS/Q® LIMS in offline mode. Data can be imported from LABS/Q® LIMS and graphically and statistically evaluated and compared. Thus, for example process data can be evaluated together with quality data and dependencies can be identified.

Durability and stability tests

These kinds of tests can be carried out in LABS/Q®, from planning, storage, sampling and testing to graphical and statistical evaluation of the results. This includes e.g., shelf life predictions and trends, shelf life extrapolations and thermal stress tests (Arrhenius), regression calculations etc., from stress tests on developmental stabilities to production accompanying “on-going” and “follow-up” stability tests.

Environmental / Hygiene Monitoring

Production-accompanying and scheduled inspections at 1 to n test points can be automatically triggered by so-called project orders. A group report function in connection with LABS Graphic allows a comfortable, graphical as well as statistical evaluation of the data.

Test/measuring equipment monitoring

In addition to the management of test equipment and measuring equipment batches, automatic qualification, calibration and system suitability of the test equipment or systems can be carried out and evaluated graphically and statistically (e.g. test equipment capability).

Actions and measures

These modules and their functionalities allow an individual definition of workflows for various actions, such as OOS/OOT (Out of Specification, Out of Trend) and audits. Associated actions such as e.g. root cause analysis, repeat testing etc. can also be planned, processed and evaluated.

Recipes

LABS/Q ® includes a solution for recipe development and recipe optimization. The goal of recipe optimization is to reduce manufacturing costs and optimize resource consumption, thus increasing the sustainability of production processes.