By Shrilesh Kale (ERNI Germany)
In the dynamic field of medical technology, laboratory automation is revolutionising laboratory operations by increasing efficiency, accuracy and productivity. At the heart of this transformation is connectivity, which enables seamless communication and integration across laboratory systems.
Challenges due to more connectivity
In the ever-evolving realm of medical technology, lab automation stands as the transformative force, reshaping the landscape of laboratory operations with enhanced efficiency, accuracy and productivity. At the heart of this transformation lies connectivity, enabling seamless communication and integration within laboratory systems.
Traditionally, disparate software stacks attempted to address similar challenges arising from instruments rooted in different technologies. This lack of centralisation strained development efforts, diminishing code quality and reusability. Our client’s key challenge lies in establishing a centralised platform and a workflow scheduling layer to effectively control the processes of various instruments, with the overarching aim of expanding their current fleet of medical equipment.
Agile teams and good stakeholder management
The ERNI team, leveraging expertise from the MedTech industry, orchestrated a skilled ensemble of C++ developers, QA specialists, and a seasoned Scrum Master to embark on this initiative. Employing an agile methodology, the team initiated the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) setup and definition process.
Workshops with key stakeholders kicked off the project, gathering detailed client requirements and forming the initial backlog and mock-ups. This phase established collaboration protocols, work modes, and communication channels, laying the groundwork for subsequent work packages. A well-defined development procedure model was implemented for consistency.
The subsequent phase involved a meticulous review of existing documentation, architecture and design, with input from stakeholders and experts. This process aimed to assess the current developmental state, classify relevant documents, and explore opportunities for reusing existing modules, all while adhering to the customer’s style guide.
Collaborating closely with stakeholders and experts, the MVP scope was defined based on framework conditions, considering timelines. The development environment was optimised and expanded as needed, supporting the team in successful project delivery. A strategic development plan, operating at the ‘epic’ level, provided a visionary roadmap for the project, allowing for necessary adjustments and value additions. As the project advanced, the backlog underwent continuous refinement.
Starting at the ‘epic’ level, high-priority work packages were broken down into granular ‘user stories’, ensuring effective development focused on meeting our client’s needs. The team, guided by a well-defined scope and roadmap, smoothly integrated through a carefully planned ramp-up strategy, fostering enhanced collaboration.
Customer centricity
The centralised platform, with the integrated workflow scheduling layer, delivered numerous advantages, marking a significant operational shift. Our success stemmed not only from efficiency gains and cost reductions but also from our unique approach rooted in an unwavering commitment to exceptional customer service. Actively fostering unity through cross-team communication strengthened internal cohesion and broadened engagement with new stake – holders. Challenges spurred innovation and resilience. Our success story, extending beyond technological milestones, was a collective effort to ensure an outstanding customer experience.
Value gained
- Simplified system management: A single centralised platform eliminated the need to manage multiple software systems or deal with compatibility issues, streamlining overall system management for easier deployment, updates and troubleshooting.
- Cost efficiency: By opting for tailor-made work[1]flow scheduling software, with a robust emphasis on maintainability and extendibility, customers were able to avoid additional licensing expenses, easing the financial burden of managing multiple solutions.
- Seamless integration: An integrated platform ensured that instruments and the workflow scheduling layer worked together seamlessly, improving interoperability, data exchange and overall system efficiency.
- Unified data management: A centralised platform became the sole source of truth for data collected from various instruments, simplifying data retrieval, analysis and reporting.
- Streamlined workflows: The integrated workflow scheduling layer enhanced the coordination and automation of instrument processes, resulting in more efficient workflows, reduced manual intervention, and increased productivity.
For more insights into advancements in medical technology, explore our article about how can we connect laboratories and hospitals in a safe way and discover how innovation is shaping the future of healthcare.