Yokogawa Electric Corporation has developed OpreX Informatics Manager, a new platform in the OpreX Connected Intelligence lineup that will enable the integrated management of research data in various fields. Accordingly, with functions for the management of documents, projects, skills, and schedules, OpreX Informatics Manager will improve the efficiency of research resource management and enhance laboratory automation. This product will be released for sale in late July.

Development Background

When research and development work is undertaken, the data generated in all kinds of experiments and validation activities must be documented. While laboratories used to record all this data on paper, the preferred mode nowadays to store data is digital form. For that reason, sharing is more easy and can be utilized by personnel working in activities such as production and quality assurance.

For the sharing of this information, conventional laboratory informatics systems have had to link with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and the like. Based on its long track record in providing instruments for use in life science research and solutions for pharmaceutical production and quality management, along with the know-how acquired as a systems integrator serving a range of industries, Yokogawa has addressed this need with the development of this system. Thus, enabling integrated management of information and supports the automation of work performed in labs.

Product Features

Simplified information sharing through integrated management of information in the cloud

A document management function integrates the handling of all data, documents, and related information. This facilitates the creation, import, version management, and approval workflow processes for documents and diagrams, and stores the files in the cloud. It can also link to experiment and test data-related reference literature and standards. With this functionality, digitalization and information sharing are possible not only within R&D but also with personnel engaged in production, quality control, quality assurance, and other functions is possible. With the reporting function, data can be listed up for export or printing. To ensure security for the storage of data in the cloud, multi-step user authentication, automatic data backup, and security linkage with microservices are provided.

Management of people, things, and other project resources

Project and task management functions control the execution of all kinds of tasks involving experiments, standard procedures, and documentation. When these tasks are to be executed, the administrator issues a work request to users of this software based on the required skills and availability of personnel. The software supports the optimal allocation of resources for the execution of tasks by linking information on the required devices, reagents, and examination objects. For that reason, administrators can easily manage the progress of user tasks from a dashboard. Moreover, for auditing purposes, it is possible to create lists at the system, project, and task level on who and when performed a task.

Workflow customization and templates

This product can be used with standard as well as customized templates. It provides the flexibility needed for all kinds of R&D situations and supports the standardization of work. In addition, templates for experimental methods, procedures, documents, and workflows can be created simply through the import and export of Word, Excel, and other kinds of files. If there is a change in a workflow, it is possible to create customized screens and modify the workflow by dividing procedures into blocks and simply and conveniently dragging and dropping them into place. Templates are version managed, and when they are updated, the latest version is displayed in the template list.

Hiroshi Nakao, a Yokogawa Electric vice president and head of the company’s Life Business Headquarters, said, “OpreX Informatics Manager links data, work, and people, and helps our customers digitally transform their operations. It enables the sharing of data not only within a laboratory, but also with other departments such as production and quality assurance, and facilitates lab automation and smart manufacturing by enabling integrated management in a single system.”