Integration of lab informatics leads to improved process automation

A fully bi-directional communication protocol between the commercial laboratory information management system and the process information management system or enterprise resource planning system would ensure end-users total independence, but with the ability to share appropriate data. Nick Arnold explains.

It is generally recognised in process manufacturing that a laboratory information management system (LIMS) becomes more responsive, decisive and productive when it forms part of an integrated IT environment. Indeed, this is often a major justification for implementing a LIMS. Seamless integration between a LIMS and, what are termed, enterprise solutions has become a significant aspect in IT strategy of many science-based organisations. The delivery data both to and from enterprise resource planning (ERP) and process information management (PIMS) systems is key to process optimisation. A LIMS plays a pivotal role in this information flow.

A LIMS has been defined as a computerised laboratory data and information management system that helps manage the daily operation of a laboratory, allowing better control and allocation of resources. A LIMS offers a technological solution that assists both R&D and manufacturing QC functions to meet regulatory requirements for audited data.

The intention is to provide laboratory managers with the ability to better control testing procedures while keeping track of information. Modern LIMS must also provide the tools to report data and results in a format that satisfies the rest of the organisation. It is in this latter area that LIMS vendors are focusing their efforts to deliver compelling benefits to users. In order to achieve this, a number of business alliances have been established between LIMS vendors and suppliers of complementary corporate and process software products.

An enterprise LIMS

SampleManager from Thermo LabSystems, a Thermo Electron business, was designed as an aenterprise LIMS' application, to support laboratory operations and integrate those operations into the corporate enterprise. One of its main attractions is its strong connectivity with mission critical, enterprise-level systems.

Of course, specific software functionality is required to establish integration solutions, but the company has also instituted a network of partnerships with leading third parties with applications in the areas of process control, enterprise resource planning and plant data acquisition systems.

Integration between LIMS and PIMS allows validated analytical information to be directly available to the systems and managers that control the manufacturing process. This can result in a better-controlled process, reduced product loss and greater productivity.

Huge benefits can be realised when a plant engineer or operator is able to quickly analyse and track data trends, as well as make decisions about data from the different locations throughout the production process. Access to such data results can be invaluable in optimising processes and highlighting problems before they occur.

With SampleManager 2001 Thermo LabSystems looked to address the increasing demand for aprocess ready' LIMS with the introduction of an integration solution with OSIsoft's plant information (PI) system. This product is called SM-PI.

SampleManager LIMS transmits data taken from discrete measurements to PI. Samples obtained from the discrete sampling points and taken to the laboratory can be logged into SampleManager. Once the sample has been analysed for the pre-defined test, it can be sent to the PI system in a secure manner using the SM-PI interface.

SampleManager can retrieve both discrete and continuous measurement data from PI. For example, a user may wish to log samples into SampleManager when a certain limit is exceeded in PI. This would allow the analyst or engineer to view a certain trend, as samples become available from the laboratory. Also, the transfer of data from PI to SampleManager would be necessary when the data is required for use in other interfaces such as SM-IDI for integration with SAPR/3 QM module. By sending information directly from PI to SampleManager, the need to re-type recorded information is eliminated, thereby avoiding any error that may be introduced through manual transcription.

In order to leverage the full benefits of modern ERP solutions, organisations require automated access to all aspects of their business, including the process laboratory. Such laboratories are increasingly opting to implement specialist, functionally-rich aenterprise-centric' LIMS products to achieve this. Having embraced this approach, organisations are then left with the challenge of closely integrating LIMS and ERP products to exploit the benefits of laboratory automation and, ultimately, improve supply chain management.

One of the most predominant ERP systems is from SAPAG and called the R/3 System. The quality module (QM) of SAPR/3 is essentially the data warehouse, storing data for the other modules to use. It does not need to aknowa how data is generated and relies on external systems for automated data entry. The LIMS, meanwhile, is the data generator, creating results based upon sample requests.

A LIMS awarehouses' data but lacks the integration of the ERPQM. To address this Thermo LabSystems has developed an integration solution, SM-IDI (Inspection Data Interface) for SampleManager and SAPR/3. SampleManager can isolate R/3 from a large volume of laboratory operational data, providing summarised data.

Typical upload options from SampleManager LIMS to QM would include results, the outcome of comparison of results with specifications, ausage decisions' and inventory postings.

The availability of LIMS/ERP interfaces like SM-IDI not only improves efficiency, it also eliminates transcription errors and provides an audited record of methods and instruments used, ensures instrument calibration histories are maintained and enforces security access to the system. All of which is vital for laboratories working in regulatory environments to achieve compliance.

ERP suppliers such as SAP are supporting connectivity with LIMS applications through its QM-IDI certification process. Interfacing solutions offered by LIMS vendors (SM-IDI is the first certified interface between SAPR/3 and a LIMS) are further helping process industry customers to bridge the gap in a way that is invisible to end-users.

Among new functionality delivered in the latest version of the SM-IDI interface solution are a number of features to ease the manageability of data. Static data, such as product specifications or analysis components, is now more readily available from the interface aon the fly' which means that less is maintained in the LIMS itself. This means that time spent manually synchronising data between the two solutions is eliminated.

Transcription errors are therefore avoided and data integrity more easily maintained. With the latest version of SM-IDI, users are provided with a wide variety of mechanisms for transferring quality data. This allows for many different configurations of R/3, reflecting different business processes.

In summary, by establishing fully bi-directional communication protocol between the commercial LIMS and the PIMS or ERP system, end users of both systems can realise total independence, yet share appropriate data.

Nick Arnold is the LIMS Product Manager for Thermo LabSystems, the Informatics Division of Thermo Electron. For more information e-mail info@thermolabsystems.com

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