Context
In response to ongoing transitions in the Analytical Instruments domain, Tismo identified ways to increase value for Lab Owners, Lab Equipment Users, and Analytical Instrument Manufacturers, with the use of IoT technology.
The focus was to leverage key data collected securely and remotely from Lab Instruments and use them to improve process efficiency and return on investment for Lab Owners.
Solution
The core objective of the Tismo Cloud Connect approach is to establish secure connections among different types of Analytical Instruments, whether they are situated in the same Lab or different locations. This facilitates the possibility of centralized monitoring, control, and management of these instruments.
The proposed Tismo Cloud Connect approach, includes centrally integrated data from different Instrument locations, updates on instrument Status, Alarms, and Events. It also includes intuitive dashboards for performance analysis, a common repository for Instrument Configurations, Methods, and Results, as well as scalability to support multiple Instruments and distributed Labs.
Key features include:
- Centrally integrated data of multiple Instruments installed in diverse locations
- Get near real-time update of Instrument Status, Alarms, Events
- Intuitive Dashboards, view Trends, compare Instrument Performance
- Central repository for Instrument Configurations and their versions
- Central repository of Methods
- Central repository for Sample Analysis Results & Calibration Reports
- Scalable solution to support multiple Instruments & distributed Labs
- Ability to handle data from different Instrument Types in a common application
- Secure web application for remote users
Tismo Cloud Connect approach is designed to handle data from different instrument types in a unified application and to provide a secure portal for remote users to view the data.
The high-level architecture includes the web applications which enable remote access, the Central Server which is the heart of this approach, and the custom Data Gathering Agents which are deployed in the different Labs to communicate between the different Lab Instruments or their Control Software using the available external communication interfaces provided by them.
Tismo Cloud Connect – High-level Architecture
Web and mobile applications: The top layer allows Lab Technicians, Lab Managers and Instrument Manufacturers to access relevant data, based on role specific privileges. This user-centric layer provides an intuitive interface for the stakeholders.
Cloud Connect Server: At the core of this approach lies the central Server. This can be deployed in private or public clouds for maximum flexibility. This Server includes several components, like:
- User Interface Connectivity Layer: Utilizing Rest API, Web Sockets, and MQTT, this layer ensures a responsive and interactive experience for users, enabling seamless communication between applications and the central Server.
- Business Logic Core: This component ensures efficient data processing and analytics. Its modular design facilitates easy customization to adapt to diverse Lab requirements with minimal additional development.
- Instrument Data Handler: Designed to handle the influx of data from various instruments, this component ensures a robust and reliable data flow.
- Data Interpretation Layer: Transforming instruments specific data into their common denominators, this layer can be custom developed to extract meaningful insights using advanced algorithms and analytics, enabling users to extract valuable information from their datasets.
- Communication Layer to Lab: Facilitating seamless interaction with different Instruments in distributed Analytical Labs, this layer employs Rest API, Web Sockets, and MQTT protocols, ensuring near real-time communication between the central Server and Lab components.
Data Gathering Agents: Extending into Analytical Labs, the lower layer involves custom-developed Data Gathering Agents deployed to form a distributed network. They act as a bridge between instruments with proprietary external interfaces and the central Server and improve data collection efficiency.
Tismo Cloud Connect – sample of multi-instrument Dashboard
Tismo Cloud Connect approach addresses key challenges in the Analytical Instruments domain:
Diverse Instrument Types: Many labs and installations have instruments with proprietary external interfaces, making data retrieval challenging through standard instrument communication layers. The Tismo Cloud Connect system tackles this by incorporating custom-developed software components in the Lab, acting as a bridge between instruments and the central Server.
Security Concerns: The approach addresses security concerns by offering options for both Cloud and on-premise deployments, including Hybrid deployment if needed. This approach ensures that sensitive data remains within the secure Lab environment based on end users’ preferences. Additionally, the system employs encryption for key data elements, such as instrument details, configurations, method details, and results. Access to various data and functionalities can be accessed access controlled by user roles and privileges required for the Lab.
Benefits
The primary purpose of the Cloud Connect approach is to securely connect various types of Analytical instruments located in same or different locations, enabling centralized monitoring, control and management of these instruments. The benefits include
- efficient instrument usage
- streamlined tracking of analysis runs
- access to holistic Lab data for informed decision making
- track timely instrument maintenance
- seamless knowledge sharing across Labs
In the competitive landscape of Analytical Labs, the Tismo Cloud Connect approach provides a user-centric, scalable and secure platform that minimizes latency and maximizes the efficiency of the analytical process.