For more than five decades, Medline operated paper-based manufacturing and laboratory testing facilities. To upgrade its laboratories, the company chose the STARLIMS LIMS (laboratory informatics management system) and Quality Manufacturing (QM) systems from Abbott Informatics for digitizing and automating data management, instrument calibration recording, and key functionality to perform microbiology testing of drug and cosmetic samples and medical devices.

Unsustainability of Paper-based Data Management

The transition from paper-based data management made it possible to attain major savings of time and money, decreased manual entry errors, and improved regulatory compliance. Comprehensive automation of data management promotes data security and integrity, resulting in deeper insights in the analyses of data and trends for making critical business decisions. STARLIMS was selected by Medline because of its ease in configuration due to its modularity, allowing the solution to be adapted for individual departments.

STARLIMS Proven Solution

The LIMS previously selected by Medline failed to achieve regulatory compliance. In addition, the system was not easily configurable. Modifying and customizing this LIMS was both time-consuming and costly. Subsequently, the Medline team selected STARLIMS because they believed it would be effective in meeting the long-term requirements of their departments and personnel. Below summarizes their key short-term expectations.

• Allow detection of trends through data analysis
  
• Automate data storage and management
  
• Ease and improve the access, searchability, and analysis of data
  
• Ensure security, traceability, and integrity of data
  
• Facilitation of regulatory compliance and audits
  
• Inventory management capability
  
• Minimize data entry errors and document mishandling
  
• Save time of operators and analysts

Part 2 will discuss the Disadvantages of Paper-Based Systems and Advantages of STARLIMS.

STARLIMS Integrated Solution

Implementing state-of-the art technology, STARLIMS provides a totally integrated solution that incorporates LIMS, Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN), Scientific Data Management System (SDMS), Advanced Analytics, and Mobile within a single application. This innovation makes building and maintaining custom interfaces required by third party tools unnecessary.

Alpha Engineering LIMS Implementation

Alpha Engineering Associates, Inc. has been involved with the implementation of over 50 LIMS systems ranging in size from small, “off-the-shelf” software systems to very large, highly customized, multi-functional systems, including STARLIMS, for both governmental agencies and private enterprises. For affordable client-focused network consulting services and solutions, please call Alpha Engineering Associates today at (410) 295-9500.