Laboratories, be in the private or public sector, tend to invest millions of dollars in equipment. In order to accomplish their goals, and laboratory management and finance departments have an unconditional interest in knowing whether their inventory is accurate and if their equipment’s location are known. Therefore, in the blog we will pin down the benefits of RFID in lab equipment tracking and inventory.
Accurate lab equipment tracking is necessary for saving precious time that may be wasted looking for equipment. And it is helping the lab managers to stay informed about which team is implementing which lab equipment and its position.
In this blog post, we will also discuss the challenges in tracking lab equipment, applications and benefits of using RFID in lab equipment tracking and inventory.
Also read: Using RFID Technology To Track Returnable Items
Challenges in Tracking Lab Equipment
Large Quantity of Equipment
In a laboratory, there is usually a huge quantity of equipment that requires to be tracked. With hundreds, if not thousands, of items of equipment for keeping track of, it is easy for those items to get misplaced or lost. This can include everything from test tubes and pipettes to microscopes and centrifuges. On the other hand, keeping track of all this equipment can be a considerable challenge.
Equipment Mobility
Lab equipment is usually moved around the lab or taken to other area for testing, experiments, or calibration. This tend to make it challenging for keeping track of equipment and assure that it is returned to the relevant location.
Manual Tracking Processes
Many labs are still relying on manual tracking processes. For example, sign-out sheets or spreadsheets. These processes tend to be time-consuming and are inclined to errors, thus making it difficult to accurately track equipment.
Adherence to Regulatory Compliance
Lab managers should stick to regulatory compliances for making sure that product integrity in all industries, especially medical or pharmaceutical. Appropriate instrument calibration in a timely approach is an essential aspect of this process. Calibration certificates are necessary documents that are referred to before making pharmaceutical products. Hence, keeping track of calibration certificates and due-dates manually is having the potential of human error.
RFID Lab Equipment Tracking Software
The RFID labratory equipment tracking software facilitate automating lab equipment tracking, performing correct inventory audits. And therefore, it assures that regulatory compliance is maintained, considering proper instrument calibration, which is crucial in sectors such as medical and pharmaceuticals.
Furthermore, the RFID laboratory asset tracking software can assist engineers, scientists, and technicians in saving valuable time looking for equipment or prototypes.
Also Read: Benefit Analysis of RFID Library Solutions
Benefits of RFID in Lab Equipment Tracking
Automatic Tracking
There are several benefits of RFID in lab equipment tracking. The RFID technology enables for automatic tracking of equipment. As equipment is moving around the lab, RFID readers are able to detect the tagged assets and record their positions. This makes it simpler for keeping track of equipment without requiring manual intervention.
Locating Equipment
With RFID technology, it is now easy to find equipment within the lab. Using the Geiger Counter aspect of handheld RFID readers, equipment can be rapidly placed, resulting in immense time savings.
Equipment Removed Without Permission
RFID technology can also help in finding the equipment being moved without permission. If equipment is moved outside of the lab premises without prior notification or any information to the concerned unit, RFID readers will detect this and alert lab personnel.
Using the Benefits RFID in Lab Equipment Tracking
Time-Savings
RFID technology can help you to save time by automating the tracking process. This then, frees up lab staff to concentrate on other high priority tasks.
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Accuracy
Moreover, RFID technology is extremely accurate, devising it easy for keeping track of equipment and making sure that it is in the correct mentioned location.
Real-Time Alerts
Getting real-time alerts and notifications on coming equipment lease expiry, preventive maintenance and calibration, etc.
Cost-Effective
While apply RFID technology may need an starting investment. This can ultimately be cost-effective by mitigating the amount of lost or misplaced equipment and the time needed to manually track equipment.
Also read: Benefits of RFID Asset Tracking in the Supply Chain
Wrapping Up…
In conclusion, tracking lab equipment can be a considerable challenge, but the benefits of RFID in lab equipment tracking can help in automating lab equipment tracking, locating equipment, and preventing unauthorized movement.
Its accuracy, time-savings, and cost-effectiveness, make it a fascinating option for labs searching to enhance their equipment tracking processes.
To know more about RFID and its implications, contact us.
