Connecting a multi-instrument laboratory into one data pipeline

Challenge

The challenge

Instruments from multiple manufacturers produced results in proprietary formats, and scientists moved data between systems by hand. Sample and result traceability was difficult to demonstrate, and every new instrument added cost rather than capacity.

Context

The context

The organisation ran a mixed instrument estate across more than one laboratory, with existing LIMS and enterprise systems that had to remain the systems of record. Any solution had to integrate with what was there rather than replace it.

Solution

Our approach

1. 01 Mapped each instrument family, its output format and its role in the workflow
2. 02 Built a normalisation layer and instrument adapters that present device output as structured data
3. 03 Established a traceable acquisition and storage pipeline with metadata and lineage
4. 04 Integrated bidirectionally with the existing LIMS so workflow state stays consistent
5. 05 Delivered an interface for scientists to review, validate and export results

Implementation

How it was delivered

Delivered incrementally, instrument family by instrument family, so the laboratory continued operating throughout and each integration could be validated before the next began.