Purchasing Guide: Lab Monitoring
Effective lab monitoring can help improve the reliability and performance of the lab and ensures that lab staff are notified of out-of-specification situations promptly
Lab monitoring uses sensors and software to track the performance and stability of the lab environment and key equipment and instruments in the lab. Monitoring can be as simple as a temperature logging device on a single refrigerator, or as sophisticated as a fully integrated software system with multiple sensors covering all aspects of the lab. Common things for labs to monitor include cold storage, incubators, reactors, lab power, and lab temperature. Effective lab monitoring can help improve the reliability and performance of the lab and ensures that lab staff are notified of out-of-specification situations promptly. For a list of lab monitoring providers, see our online directory: LabManager.com/lab-monitoring-manufacturers
7 Questions to Ask When Buying Lab Monitoring Systems:
- How many different systems require monitoring?
- Which systems would most benefit from monitoring?
- Will you monitor items individually, or do you need an integrated system?
- Will a standalone system suffice, or will you need a monitoring service provider as well?
- How will monitoring contribute to quality assurance?
- How will monitoring impact training?
Why Implement Lab Monitoring?
For many aspects of laboratory work, continuous or regular monitoring is vital for reproducibility, integrity, and quality control. Learn more about the benefits of lab monitoring for quality assurance at LabManager.com/why-monitor
Monitoring for Ultracold Storage
While older ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers relied on basic paper chart recorders, many current models have sophisticated digital monitoring features built in. If you have critical samples and would like to give stakeholders peace-of-mind, invest in a ULT freezer that has digital monitoring solutions so you can easily access comprehensive information on the condition of the samples.