Paperwork in the Lab: 4 Challenges and How the Q/LES App Solves Them
Despite the ongoing shift toward digitalization, paper-based processes remain widespread in many laboratories. However, the use of paper documents presents significant challenges: lengthy search times, error-prone data transfer, slow workflows, and high costs for archiving and administration.
In this article, we highlight four key issues caused by paper-based processes in laboratory operations and explain why the Q/LES app—an extension of our LABS/Q LIMS—offers an effective solution for overcoming these challenges and sustainably improving efficiency.
1. Avoid time-consuming document searches
According to a study*, employees spend an average of 18 minutes searching for a paper document they need. This time quickly adds up and leads to delays in processing samples, reports, and inquiries from your customers. Especially in a fast-paced laboratory environment, such time losses can significantly impair efficiency and reduce responsiveness.
The Q/LES app is your electronic lab assistant, providing support through digital documentation of work instructions and steps, as well as by identifying materials via scanning.
2. Sources of error in data transmission: Manual entries increase the risk by up to 3%
Just a quick entry of the results and then I’m done for the day—maybe you’ve been there too. But it’s precisely in moments like these that mistakes creep in. This can lead to incorrect analysis results, which in turn causes delays and extra work in data processing. The result is often time-consuming rework and, in the worst case, inaccurate lab reports.
Errors are avoided thanks to the workflow-specific, immediate transfer of information and the entry of results into the app.
Real-time data transfer from the Q/LES app to the LIMS prevents data entry errors.
3. Digital Forms as Efficiency Boosters: How to Speed Up Lab Processes by Up to 80%
Paper-based forms significantly slow down many laboratory workflows. According to a report in *Wirtschaftswoche*, electronic forms, on the other hand, can save between 30% and 80% of the time, depending on the complexity of the task.
With the help of the Q/LES app, your lab results are recorded more quickly and accurately and automatically transferred to the databases. This fully automated process speeds up data entry and reduces data entry errors. This allows lab processes to be streamlined and processing times to be significantly reduced.
4. The Cost Trap of Archiving: Why Storing Paper Can Cost Up to 21 Euros Per Sheet
In addition to wasting time and creating opportunities for errors, paper-based processes also incur high costs—particularly due to legally mandated archiving requirements. According to a study by RKW, the total cost of archiving, including personnel costs, can amount to as much as 21 euros per DIN A4 sheet over a 10-year period. With a large volume of documents, this quickly results in enormous costs for space, administration, and maintenance of paper archives.
Solution: Expand your LIMS with the Q/LES app
LABS/Q LIMS digitizes and automates all relevant laboratory processes—from sample processing and data collection to analysis. The Q/LES app takes laboratory automation to a new level by supporting lab staff directly at their workstations and laying the groundwork for a paperless laboratory.
Direct benefits of this approach:
- Increased efficiency
- Minimizing operating costs
- better traceability
- greater data integrity.
The Q/LES App solution offers you the opportunity to make your laboratory operations more efficient in the long term. Investing in an end-to-end LIMS is therefore an important step toward a paperless, modern laboratory.
*) Source: M-Files
