How cloud-first automation is transforming lab workflows

In the ever-evolving world of laboratory automation, labs have traditionally relied on on-premises solutions to optimize solutions.

The rise of flexible and secure cloud-first automation brings with it a new era of platforms whose high levels of responsiveness can harness the transformative potential of data. These platforms can also overcome the physical and geographical boundaries that impede the collaborative process.

This article will explore cloud-first automation, its role in the future for innovative laboratories, and the potential benefits compared to non-cloud solutions.

Image Credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com

An introduction to cloud-first automation

Automation platforms like Automata’s LINQ combine instruments, human insight, robotics, visualization tools, multi-point data collection, and solving technologies. By simplifying and automating actions, these platforms free up scientists’ time and improve the scale and quality of experiment results.

By selecting a platform with cloud-based software, the impact and benefits of automation extend beyond physical boundaries.

Researchers across the organization can easily access the lab's cloud-connected workcells, enhancing scientific progress and maximizing the return on investment for capital equipment.

Additionally, fully contextualized experimental results are stored in a unified data warehouse, accessible from anywhere within the organization. Cloud-first automation offers a number of other benefits, including:

• Flexibility
• Remote accessibility
• Easy integration with third-party software such as AI
• Greater visibility and collaboration
• Secure and cost-effective
• Eliminates data inconsistency issues
• Round-the-clock operational capabilities
• Stringent adherence to regulatory requirements
• Ease of use, regardless of automation experience
• It is suitable for installation in most regions around the world

The benefits of cloud-first automation platforms

Cloud-first solutions are particularly beneficial to those who require their data to be fully traceable and of high quality, work in collaborative environments, want to maximize return on investment, and require access to the latest technology and secure updates.

The relationship between cloud-first lab automation and quality, manageable data

Cloud-first lab automation enables the rapid generation of robust datasets by providing users with secure, 24/7 access to their systems from anywhere in the world. Unlike on-premise solutions, cloud-based automation considers the purpose of the data throughout the entire experiment lifecycle, not just in terms of generating larger quantities of data.

LINQ can automate entire workflows, allowing users to record every environmental condition for each machine at every step of the process, with all user and automation actions being closely monitored

The quantity of data collected will ensure fully contextualized workflow results, which can be segmented and analyzed for numerous reasons.

On-premise solutions often rely on manual data collection and transcription processes, particularly when automation lacks software connectivity. In such cases, scientists must manually manage and export information from multiple local, instrument-specific hubs.

This can lead to data collection delays, data loss, and transcription errors. Even when remote access is available, the inability to control workflows can restrict its effectiveness, ultimately compromising the reliability of results and the quality of the data produced.

In contrast, platforms with cloud-based connectivity, such as LINQ Cloud, network instruments to a central location, enabling automatic, instant, and error-free data collection. This data is immediately available for analysis and global collaboration.

Automatic transfer and connectivity alleviate the workload on scientists, allowing for the effortless collection of a greater number of data points, which in turn enhances the quality of metadata and improves the experimental context.

Gathering information required by regulatory bodies like the FDA will also be quicker and more robust, and collaboration—especially with external teams—becomes significantly easier.

The positive impact of cloud-first automation on collaboration

Cloud-first solutions enhance the collaborative process for labs transitioning from offline to online working. Automata uses Google Workspace to create and store shareable documents with minimal issues, a significant improvement over the traditional method of installing Office from a disc or CD on a local machine and sharing files via USB sticks or file transfers.

By utilizing cloud-based lab automation, the entire workforce has the opportunity to access a fully connected network of instrument resources, enabling multiple users to share equipment, perform workflows, and view experiment results collaboratively.

Collaborating on workflow management

Cloud-based automation, offered by companies like LINQ, enables the use of a shared platform for the design, simulation, and interrogation of experiments.

This approach allows workflows to be designed, built, and simulated by anyone at any time, with run instructions that can be uploaded, monitored, amended, and downloaded from anywhere in the world. Workflows can be remotely scheduled, executed, and triaged.

In theory, different individuals can be responsible for various parts of the workflow, as everything is managed through secure user permissions validated by a scheduling engine. Actions are recorded at the user, workflow, and instrument levels, with audit trails and log files easily accessible for review.

Collaborating with shared data

Thanks to cloud-based automation platforms, collected data can be transferred in real time to a specific data source, allowing users to work from one centralized source.

In an automated scenario, cloud connectivity can allow an entire organization to access a world of contextualized data for a range of needs. This valuable repository of high-quality, traceable data is a strong foundation for building multidisciplinary teams that can efficiently iterate and improve processes.

Cloud-first automation and maximizing performance

The initial and main impetus for purchasing a lab automation platform is to enhance productivity. While the automation of any process will offer some efficiencies, utilizing an end-to-end, cloud-based solution can facilitate even greater opportunities to impact performance.

Efficient workflows

Cloud-based lab automation can assist users in optimizing workflows in a variety of unique ways:

• Direct communication with instruments means the system can check that set-up, calibration, and conditions are completely accurate compared to the workflow's design and instructions.
• Users can understand each conditional and constraint in play without the need to access separate on-site repositories.
• Since everything is stored in the cloud, resourcing deficits can be easily rectified, meaning, for example, ensuring that the absence of a team member no longer leads to delayed activities.
• Users in any location can offer assistance with anything from tackling workflow design challenges to checking run instructions and predictions.
• Shared visualizations can become a source of inspiration to others and assist users in upskilling.
• Activity audit trails facilitate the full interrogation of information, allowing further opportunities to identify issues and improve workflows.
• Online validation and remote-access workflow management allow any user to identify and instantly correct workflow issues early on, helping share responsibility and keep productivity on track.

Maximized resources

Cloud-based lab automation connects multiple systems to a single online interface, enabling more effective planning and resource allocation. For example:

• Capacity can be monitored, and loads can be shared more evenly.
• Resources can be ringfenced for specific clients, experiments, or teams with full visibility.
• Instrument data can help track equipment performance, facilitating proactive maintenance.
• Planned downtime is no longer an issue as tasks can be assigned to other instruments or workcells.

Cloud-based automation allows tasks to be performed online quickly and transparently. There is no unexpected downtime or maintenance, and granular lab productivity information can be shared with leadership as required.

Cloud-first automation and future-ready processes

Artificial intelligence (AI)-ready cloud-first automation will play a vital role in delivering what the industry needs now and in the future.

True collaboration, without boundaries and underpinned by scientifically valid and high-quality data, can help deliver cost-efficient sequencing, faster drug discovery, and facilitate greater access to personalized therapeutics.

AI is being employed to support these goals, and while AI in its many forms can certainly play a role, there are challenges at an industry scale and for those planning to invest in lab automation platforms.

In terms of industrial-scale applications, AI can only be as good as the size of the model used to train it, as well as the quantity and quality of the data utilized. There is a data issue in life sciences, as too much of the sector’s data is untraceable, unreliable, and uncontextualized.

Cloud-based lab automation has the capacity to generate and collect vast sets of fully contextualized results by connecting all elements to one data lake without error. This produces large, unified, high-quality data sets that are perfectly suited to the needs of AI models.

Opting for a cloud-based solution now establishes a strong foundation for integrating AI in the future.

Cloud-first automation and operational readiness

The widespread uptake of internet-based tools such as online ticketing systems and remote viewers has raised customer expectations in terms of multi-layered security, automatic updates, and fast support from technology providers.

Possessing a cloud-based lab automation platform ensures access to all these and more, on a larger and faster scale than ever before. There are several advantages to this approach, including:

• Instant online support reduces lab downtime, and response times can be reduced from days to hours or less.
• New equipment can be seamlessly integrated by downloading and applying drivers and integrations online.
• Remotely visible data logs can simplify the troubleshooting process for users or their automation provider.
• As errors are instantly reported to operators via a remote interface, the user is always in control.
• The ability to remotely trigger software updates means these can be applied seamlessly and at any time without needing an on-site visit.

Cloud-first automation and security

The sensitive nature of data in life sciences, along with the value of materials utilized in experiments, means security is of the utmost importance. 

To address concerns about internet reliability, cloud-based access, and potential disruptions from updates, Automata has developed various methods to ensure that users of cloud-based scientific platforms remain online and secure.

LINQ offers a range of tenancy options that provide a unique, isolated cloud environment that can be domiciled in any of AWS’s regional locations. This setup gives users control over updates and enables the creation of more detailed and specific audit trails.

Users can decide whether to keep a software version locked or accept periodic updates, with the ability to pin historical protocols, scheduling, and security settings to workcells. This ensures that results do not need to be re-validated after each update.

LINQ features an offline mode for added security in the event of a local networking failure or internet outage. This allows workflows to continue running, with experimental data being collected and ready for upload once the connection is restored. Already-built workflows can be executed repeatedly, even when offline.

User-based access permissions are applied to ensure that all profile types can access LINQ Cloud without risking unauthorized changes. Cloud-first lab automation solutions are transforming how laboratories operate, offering unparalleled accessibility, flexibility, and efficiency compared to traditional on-site systems.

Platforms like Automata’s LINQ allow labs to automate complex workflows, collect and manage high-quality data, and improve cross-team collaborations.

These solutions will improve productivity and resource utilization, ensuring labs remain secure, agile, and future-ready. They will also be ready to integrate emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, when needed.

As the scientific landscape continues to evolve, the adoption of cloud-first automation and cloud-based solutions is becoming increasingly essential.

LINQ: The cloud-based automation from Automata

Automata’s LINQ platform houses and connects instruments on a space-saving, robot-enabled lab bench, allowing users to design, schedule, and manage workflows remotely using cloud-based software.

Video Credit: Automata

Acknowledgments

Produced from materials originally authored by Automata Technologies Ltd.

About Automata

Born from a world-leading research lab, Automata is making total workflow automation accessible to labs frustrated by the limitations of their own environment.

Accelerating the innovation evolution

When two architects from Zaha Hadid’s research lab first approached robotics, their idea was to explore applications specific to architectural engineering.

But they soon discovered that modern automation wasn’t just unnecessarily complex – it was actively restricting innovation. And not just within their industry – within many others too. It was clear that robotic automation was a field where their combined experience in computational research and design could make a real difference. Assembling a team of industry experts, Automata was founded, with a clear aim: to enable new opportunities for innovation with automation.

A clearer path to progress

Automata’s focus narrowed on an industry where they felt their expertise could have the most impact – life sciences, and particularly within biolab environments.

Since then, the team has been working closely with leading pathology labs to pioneer protocols that enable labs to scale with precision

Automata Labs is the product of that philosophy – simplifying lab environments and empowering the people working tirelessly in the pursuit of progress.

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