During the first webinar of the series, Ian Yates, Director of Enterprise Science and Innovation Partnerships at Thermo Fisher Scientific, shared a compelling perspective on automated science and the lab of the future. The webinar covered how digital solutions and lab automation are paving the way for innovation in the connected laboratory. Yates explained how technology-driven strategies can promote success and how automated science is a key driving factor.

Drivers for automated science

We are seeing scientific disruption in three main areas including the scientific terrain, digital disruption with new technologies, and the economics of the laboratory looking for ways to increase efficiency. Underlying this, data is becoming one of the laboratory’s most valuable assets. Those embracing digital transformation and adopting technologies are better at driving productivity and controlling cost.

Steps to driving digital transformation

Yates presented two lenses to consider when driving digital transformation: lab centric and data centric. The lab centric considerations include human experience, workflow, layout, and robotics. The data centric considerations include end-to-end data management, digital connectivity, advanced analytics, and AI. When asked how laboratories should begin an automated science or digital transformation journey, Yates suggested “It’s about understanding where one is starting the journey and mapping the current state of the digital or automation structure within the organization.  Before rushing into transformation, know where you start and where you want to get to. Get a good understanding on the current situation and plan the roadmap to the future.”

Taking these lenses into account, there are three main steps to driving digital transformation:

Drivers for automated science

We are seeing scientific disruption in three main areas including the scientific terrain, digital disruption with new technologies, and the economics of the laboratory looking for ways to increase efficiency. Underlying this, data is becoming one of the laboratory’s most valuable assets. Those embracing digital transformation and adopting technologies are better at driving productivity and controlling cost.

Steps to driving digital transformation

Yates presented two lenses to consider when driving digital transformation: lab centric and data centric. The lab centric considerations include human experience, workflow, layout, and robotics. The data centric considerations include end-to-end data management, digital connectivity, advanced analytics, and AI. When asked how laboratories should begin an automated science or digital transformation journey, Yates suggested “It’s about understanding where one is starting the journey and mapping the current state of the digital or automation structure within the organization.  Before rushing into transformation, know where you start and where you want to get to. Get a good understanding on the current situation and plan the roadmap to the future.”

Taking these lenses into account, there are three main steps to driving digital transformation: