Automating Lab Documentation Workflows

Using AI, Robotic Process Automation, and OCR tools to improve lab productivity

Part of the Lab Procurement Services savings model is the extensive use of automation tools like Optical Character Recognition, Robotic Process Automation, and Artificial Intelligence to reduce the costs associated with each transaction.

Order processing documents such as purchase orders and invoices are the most common, especially in the procurement business. Many types of other lab documentation workflows can also be automated.

Some examples include:

Consent forms and regulatory documentation
Lab notebooks and experimental records
Instrument output reports
Compliance and audit reports
Grant proposals and funding documentation
Safety reports and incident logs
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) and protocol management

The most significant return on investment comes from the workflows that have the highest volume and require the most manual transcription or data entry, or that transmit data to multiple systems using manual steps.

Our automation tools can be employed for a variety of tasks, such as:

Transcribing notes to searchable text
Verifying that records are complete and correct with AI
Flagging non-compliant documents, missing signatures, etc.
Extracting metadata with pattern matching and Natural Language Processing
Using RPA to automatically upload records to LIMS/ELN systems
Reading tables and forms into structured data like XML, JSON or SQL
Retrieving required documents and data for audits

LPS works closely with ScanStore, a company with over 25 years of experience in document management and process automation, and shares office space with us, as well as family members! ScanStore specializes in providing low-cost versions of enterprise automation solutions perfect for mid-sized labs and universities on tight budgets. The SimpleIndex document capture tool was developed by ScanStore and performs many of these functions with the industry’s lowest Total Cost of Ownership.