Increasing Lab Efficiency with Amazon Web Services to Enable Real-Time Remote Access to Lab Information

凯特-韦尔登

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lab technicians and scientist working in lab on computers

Across the Life Sciences, companies are integrating cloud technology into laboratory operations to create digitally connected labs. These initiatives benefit from enhanced collaboration, data sharing, and connectivity within and across laboratories to enable modern and future-ready labs. [footnote 1] Key advantages include seamless data integration and accessibility, enabling remote access and collaboration, providing flexibility and scalability, and optimizing cost-effectiveness and resource utilization.

Digitally connected labs also enable organizations to move towards Lab in the Loop, [footnote 2] where the data from the digitally connected lab can be used to build and fine-tune AI models that not only facilitate generation of new experiments but quickly validate them as well. Ultimately, digitally connected labs create efficient, collaborative, secure and data-driven laboratory environments, accelerating scientific discoveries and innovations in life sciences.

This article was written in collaboration with Matt Gafencu, an AWS principal customers solutions manager, and Siva Rajamani, Boston-based AWS enterprise solutions architect.

Challenge:

In labs focused on pharmaceutical, biologics, and materials testing, the need for greater efficiency is a key factor for modernizing labs. Many customers struggle to gain a universal, real-time view of their analytical testing lab operations which include instruments like high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry, and other techniques for analyzing chemicals and proteins. Instrument management and scheduling tools are often homemade, fragmented, and lack the speed and flexibility to meet the lab’s evolving needs. Troubleshooting is arduous and errors may not be quickly identified, which can lead to increased system downtime and decreased lab efficiency. Consequently, samples frequently require re-running, wasting valuable resources and delaying product launches or shipments. To ensure optimal lab operations, scientists and lab managers must be physically present; when absent, valuable analysis time is lost.

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Solution:

ǞǞǞ waters_connectTM System Monitoring software from Waters Corporation is a cutting-edge solution designed to address the challenges faced by busy chromatography laboratories looking to improve uptime and efficiency. Often, these laboratories struggle to gain a comprehensive view of their systems making it difficult to coordinate work and respond promptly to system errors. Real-time access to laboratory information is crucial for improving system utilization, maximizing uptime, and accelerating business decision-making processes.

By harnessing the scalability and flexibility of Amazon Web Services Cloud Services (AWS), Waters has developed a secure and compliance-ready platform that offers intuitive and adaptive single-source access to detailed Waters EmpowerTM software and waters_connect software information. This innovative approach ensures that users can effortlessly coordinate work, monitor system performance, and respond to errors without compromising the security or compliance standards of their laboratory operations.

Teaming up with AWS has enabled Waters to leverage a range of cloud services, including:

These services provide the necessary computing power, database management, storage and edge connectivity capabilities to support the waters_connect System Monitoring software.

案例研究。

Chong Kun Dang (CKD) is a prominent South Korean pharmaceutical company headquartered in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do. CKD’s primary focus is on the manufacturing and sale of pharmaceuticals, including specialized medicines for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes, as well as general medicines such as painkillers, digestive aids, and vitamins. Since implementing waters_connect System Monitoring, CKD has seen significant improvements in lab efficiency, according to Yoon Jae-hoon, Manager of CKD’s QC Testing Support Team. The software allows for 24/7 real-time integrated monitoring of their extensive chromatography system fleet and has increased the response speed to equipment downtime issues.

lab equipment next to one another with computer screen
waters_connect System Monitoring implemented to monitor the significant HPLC instrument fleet in real-time in the QC laboratory at CKD.

“Real-time checking has become possible from anywhere, at anytime, and we have set up dashboards on large monitors in the preparation area to monitor all HPLC instruments,” says Yoon. “This has improved the efficiency of our analysis operations and allowed for continuous monitoring, contributing to productivity improvements.” The ability to monitor equipment remotely ensures that the lab can maintain optimal operational status, significantly reducing delays and enhancing overall productivity.

CKD envisions additional benefits from the waters_connect System Monitoring beyond their current implementation. They plan to leverage the accumulated system data for statistical analysis and anticipate improvements in analysis efficiency and equipment utilization through additional integrations with various programs.

“We expect to extend beyond basic monitoring of our analytical equipment remotely,” adds Yoon. “Keeping pace with AI, machine learning, and virtualization technologies, we look forward to further enhancing productivity and convenience.”

Yoon Jae-hoon

These initiatives highlight the importance of CKD’s future-oriented approach and collaboration with Waters in driving innovation in pharmaceutical technology. Read the full case study. [footnote 3]

Solution Benefits:

One of the key advantages of this cloud-based solution is its ability to provide users with real-time access to laboratory information from anywhere, at any time. Whether users are on-site or working remotely, they can seamlessly monitor their lab operations, ensuring efficient coordination and prompt response to any system errors or issues.

Additionally, the waters_connect System Monitoring software leverages AWS’s robust security measures, including data encryption, access controls, and logging, to help customers meet industry standards such as HIPAA and GxP. This ensures that sensitive system data remains secure and protected while enabling users to access the information they need. System Monitoring is also designed as a business tool which sits outside the validated Empower Software environment. Several measures ensure that:

  • Information transfer is in one direction only, from the Acquisition Device Edge Software to the waters_connect Cloud
  • Information being sent to the waters_connect Cloud is system telemetry information rather than GxP analytical data
  • Users cannot interact with or change the database from the waters_connect Cloud and associated applications
  • Single sign-on eliminates the need for multiple passwords, via central corporate authentication, increasing security and improving ease-of-use

Conclusion:

AWS Cloud has helped Waters enhance the functionality of waters_connect System Monitoring and future-proofed the software for scalability and adaptability. As laboratory needs evolve and data volumes grow, the cloud-based architecture can seamlessly scale to accommodate increased demand, ensuring that users always have access to the resources they require.

The collaboration between Waters and AWS has enhanced waters_connect System Monitoring, a powerful software tool that revolutionizes laboratory productivity by providing users with intuitive and adaptive single-source access to detailed lab system information. This cloud-based platform ensures secure and compliant access to chromatography laboratory information, enabling users to coordinate work, respond to system errors, and make informed business decisions from anywhere, at any time.

其他资源

[footnote 1] Hacket Group study

[footnote 2] AWS Life Sciences Leaders Symposium Keynote  

[footnote 3] To read more about CKD and how they are implementing waters_connect System Monitoring, download the full case study.