Lecture
From Isolated Solutions to Interfaces – Automation and Digital Workflows in Regulated Laboratories
- at -
- B2.137
- Type: Lecture
Lecture description
Environmental laboratories are under increasing pressure: higher analytical complexity, growing regulatory requirements (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025), and the demand for faster, reliable data delivery require more than isolated digital tools. Sustainable digital transformation requires structured automation and standardized device communication. This presentation outlines the digitalization strategy of a large public-sector environmental laboratory that is currently undergoing a comprehensive building refurbishment. The physical transformation of the laboratory infrastructure is being used as a strategic opportunity to redesign workflows, integrate automation from the outset, and implement interface-driven system architectures instead of retrofitting isolated solutions.A central focus is the implementation of standardized device interfaces, particularly LADS OPC UA, as the technical backbone for secure, semantically consistent, and audit-proof data exchange between analytical instruments, LIMS/LES, and quality management systems. The talk demonstrates why interoperable interfaces are essential for scalable automation in regulated environments, how harmonized data semantics enable advanced analytics and AI-supported applications, and which practical lessons have emerged during implementation. The core message is clear: future-ready laboratories are built not around standalone software solutions, but around open, standardized communication infrastructures that ensure compliance, efficiency, and long-term innovation capability — especially when digitalization and building transformation are planned together.
