Workflow management software lets scientists in analytical laboratories track and accelerate order processing using an electronic workflow and storage management system
In response to scientists seeking more control over managing and tracking analytical requests, as well as shortening the time to process these requests, Waters has announced the shipment of Analytical Workflow Manager 1.4.7.
This lets scientists in analytical laboratories from a cross-section of industries including pharmaceutical, biotech and environmental, track and accelerate order processing using an electronic workflow and storage management system.
A single point-of-access, Analytical Workflow Manager Software administers the workflow of the order process cycle from capturing analytical requests, through instrumental measurements and result analysis, to long-term data storage.
Analytical Workflow Manager (formerly Q-Dis/R) combines work list management, sample tracking, measurement setup and triggering with data evaluation and result distribution.
Scientists in analytical services laboratories can then share their results with colleagues to perform value-added research.
The strategic importance of Analytical Workflow Manager is summed up by the manager of a mass spectrometry laboratory for a global healthcare leader in the area of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
He states: "Analytical Workflow Manager is one of my corporation's ten most business-critical applications.
"It has enhanced collaboration and information-exchange among our laboratories and broadened communications to our customer base".
With the latest enhancements, scientists are now able to configure workflow processes such that analysis requests are prioritised and transferred to instrument work lists which already include sample and method-specific parameters that are used to process the sample and generate results.
Enhanced configuration capabilities allow for the creation and export of sample lists to a wide range of instruments including Acquity UPLC, HPLC, LC/MS, NMR and many others.
Electronically review and approve measurement requests and analytical results either on an ad-hoc basis or automatically, based on pre-configured procedures.
These features allow analytical labs to better service their customers by providing on-demand status checking and faster analysis cycle times.
Provide for integration of streamlined processes into other systems such as the Waters eLab Notebook software, resulting in an optimised digital environment for both document control and management of the sample analysis workflow including analytical methods.
According to Thomas Schmidt, product manager at Waters: "With Analytical Workflow Manager, scientists can move from delocalised, chemical analysis processes to a cohesive on-line workflow.
"Each lab can access and display the other's results to support data evaluation.
"Some labs have reported more than a 25% increase in throughput as a result of processes optimised through the use of the Analytical Workflow Manager".
The Waters laboratory informatics suite is made up of powerful, integrated information management solutions that enable users to compile, manage and share the vast quantity of data generated in a laboratory.
Whether searching for application-specific software or looking to augment a data management strategy, Waters laboratory informatics solutions transform raw data into a competitive advantage.
Waters holds positions in three complementary analytical technologies - liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis.
These markets account for $4.5-$5 billion of the overall $20+ billion analytical instrument market.
