I’ve been helping labs streamline workflows and improve efficiency through laboratory automation systems for nearly two decades. Along the way, I have learned a lot with the successes, the challenges, and the surprises that only come with years of experience. 

Strategic planning can make all the difference when implementing sample prep automation – it is much more than simply purchasing a machine and placing it in your lab. If you’re thinking about automating your lab processes, these insights can help you save time, reduce costs, and avoid frustrations.

1. Start with Your People

The first thing to think about isn’t the automation itself — it’s your people.

Before evaluating systems or specifications, bring together everyone who touches the workflow: lab managers, technicians, in-house engineers, and sometimes, even your lab clients.

Automation can impact upstream and downstream processes, so it’s critical to ensure everyone is aligned early. This not only helps uncover hidden needs but also gets your team invested in the solution, making adoption smoother.

2. Understand Your Requirements and Variables

Once your lab team is on the same page, start mapping out your requirements. Too often, labs focus only on one variable like throughput and overlook the bigger picture.

Here’s what to think about:

• Throughput: How many samples do you process weekly, and how might that change in the next few years?

• Labware: Consider what labware that you are using – are you handling tubes, plates, racks? Do you need flexibility for different types?

• Sample Identification: What information needs to be applied to your labware? Consider barcode application and validation. Whether numeric, alphanumeric, or 2D, barcodes are an extremely useful way to improve accuracy and traceability.

• Space and Utilities: Some laboratory automation systems require more real estate than you may expect or have available. Compact benchtop systems like the Scinomix VXL Tube Labeler can free up valuable space and simplify installation. Beyond measurements, establish electrical, air, and other utility needs – determine if any utilities need to be added to your lab or if the laboratory automation system must be placed in a specific location to operate properly. 

Thinking through these variables up front helps ensure your automation fits your unique lab needs. 

3. Plan for Downtime and Responsive Service

No laboratory automation system runs 100% of the time – the key is how quickly you can recover when it goes down. 

At Scinomix, modular automation setups have proven effective – if one system is offline, other stations continue processing, keeping productivity moving. In addition, having an automation partner who responds quickly, remotely or onsite, is essential when maintenance is needed. Remember: when purchasing automation, you’re not just selecting equipment, you’re choosing a service partner as well.

4. Consider Your Downstream Impacts

Sample prep automation does not only impact the specific processes that you are automating, it also affects what happens before and after. For example, if your workflow ends in cold storage or involves harsh chemical exposure, permanent laser marking may be essential for maintaining long-term traceability and sample integrity. Thinking downstream helps future-proof your workflow and prevent costly rework later.

All of these considerations — people, requirements, downtime, downstream impact — matter more than most labs realize. Mapping out these details early ensures your sample prep automation solution is the best fit for your workflow, so your lab can run smoothly from day one and scale effectively as demands grow.

Interested in automating your sample prep workflow? 

Schedule an interactive session between you and a Scinomix automation expert to explore laboratory automation solutions, get live answers to your questions, and find the right fit for your workflow. 

At Scinomix, we strive to simplify lab processes while ensuring top-quality results. Our innovative solutions in laboratory automation continue to eliminate repetitive and tedious tasks. By automating lab processes using efficient benchtop solutions, we help to free valuable time and resources, allowing researchers to focus on groundbreaking discoveries. We understand that data accuracy and quality are essential for scientific progress, and that is why we are dedicated to providing automation solutions that guarantee reliable and accurate results. With Scinomix, you can expect lab automation that simplifies processes and ensures quality results every time.