Overbrook Blog

Core Components of a Laboratory Quality Management System

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 14:45:05 GMT

A Laboratory Quality Management System (Laboratory QMS) defines how a lab develops, documents, monitors, and continuously improves its operations to maintain accuracy, reliability, and compliance. Rather than existing as a standalone program, a Laboratory QMS functions across every aspect of laboratory activity, from equipment qualification and documentation to audits and corrective action.

At Overbrook Support Services, Laboratory QMS implementation is approached as an operational framework that supports regulatory readiness while aligning with how laboratories function in practice.

Document Control as the Foundation of a Laboratory Quality System

Document control establishes the structure for how laboratories manage SOPs, records, and controlled documentation. Within a Laboratory QMS, document control ensures traceability, version control, and consistent execution of laboratory processes.

Without defined document control, laboratories risk outdated procedures, inconsistent practices, and audit exposure. A well-implemented Laboratory QMS ensures documentation supports both daily operations and regulatory review, providing clarity for laboratory staff and inspectors alike.

Overbrook supports laboratories by developing and organizing documentation structures that are practical, scalable, and aligned with regulatory expectations.

Training and Competency Management in the Lab Environment

Training and competency management ensure that personnel are qualified to perform their assigned responsibilities within the laboratory. A Laboratory QMS defines how training is delivered, documented, and assessed over time.

As laboratories grow or introduce new equipment and processes, maintaining accurate training records becomes essential. Ongoing competency assessment supports consistent execution of procedures and strengthens audit defensibility.

By integrating training requirements into the Laboratory QMS, laboratories establish accountability while supporting operational continuity.

Equipment Qualification and Calibration Within Laboratory Quality Systems

Equipment qualification and calibration are core elements of a Laboratory Quality Management System, particularly for laboratories operating under ISO, GLP, or GMP requirements. The Laboratory QMS defines how instruments are qualified, maintained, and monitored throughout their lifecycle.

This includes IQ, OQ, and PQ activities, calibration schedules, maintenance documentation, and performance verification. These controls ensure equipment remains fit for intended use and that generated data can be defended during audits.

Overbrook integrates equipment qualification into Laboratory QMS implementation, ensuring alignment between operational use, validation requirements, and long-term asset performance.

Managing Nonconformances and CAPA in Laboratory Operations

A Laboratory Quality Management System must include a defined process for identifying and addressing nonconformances. Deviations, errors, and quality events require consistent documentation, investigation, and resolution.

Corrective and preventive action (CAPA) processes enable laboratories to identify root causes and implement actions that reduce recurrence. Within a Laboratory QMS, CAPA serves as a mechanism for improving system performance rather than responding to isolated issues.

Overbrook helps laboratories establish CAPA processes that are actionable, traceable, and aligned with regulatory expectations.

Laboratory QMS Audits and Management Review

Audit readiness is achieved through consistent oversight rather than last-minute preparation. A Laboratory Quality Management System defines how internal audits are conducted, documented, and reviewed.

Internal audit findings feed directly into management review, where quality performance, recurring issues, and system effectiveness are evaluated. This review process supports informed decision-making and continuous improvement across laboratory operations.

By linking audits with management review, laboratories maintain ongoing compliance and reduce inspection risk.

Structuring a Laboratory QMS for Long-Term Performance

A Laboratory Quality Management System is most effective when its components operate as an integrated framework rather than independent requirements. Document control, training, equipment qualification, CAPA, audits, and management review must work together to support how the laboratory functions day to day.

Overbrook’s Laboratory QMS services are designed to embed quality principles into laboratory operations across the full lifecycle . Rather than treating quality as a standalone compliance function, our approach aligns regulatory requirements with operational realities to support consistency, audit readiness, and long-term performance.

Quality systems that exist only to satisfy inspections rarely remain effective over time. By integrating Laboratory QMS practices into daily laboratory activity, Overbrook helps clients build systems that are practical, defensible, and aligned with how science is actually performed.

When to Implement a Laboratory Quality Management System

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:47:02 GMT

A Laboratory Quality Management System (QMS) provides the structure that governs how a lab operates, documents its work, and maintains compliance. While many laboratories recognize the value of quality systems, uncertainty often exists around when implementation should occur.

Implementing a QMS too late can expose laboratories to compliance gaps, operational inconsistency, and audit risk. Implementing it early establishes a framework that supports accuracy, traceability, and long-term performance as the laboratory grows or changes.

Understanding the appropriate timing for QMS implementation helps laboratories align quality principles with operational realities rather than reacting to regulatory pressure after issues arise.

Early Indicators a Laboratory Needs a Quality Management System

Laboratories often delay QMS implementation until prompted by an inspection, audit finding, or regulatory requirement. In practice, several operational indicators signal the need for a formal Laboratory Quality Management System well before such events occur.

Growth in personnel, instrumentation, or assay complexity increases the risk of inconsistent processes and undocumented practices. As lab workflows expand, informal procedures become difficult to manage and harder to defend during audits. Reliance on undocumented tribal knowledge can further compromise reproducibility and training consistency.

When laboratories begin generating regulated data, supporting validated equipment, or operating under ISO, GLP, or GMP expectations, the absence of a QMS introduces measurable risk.

Implementing a Laboratory Quality Management System During Lab Start-Up or Expansion

The most effective time to implement a Laboratory Quality Management System is during lab start-up, expansion, or relocation . These transition points provide an opportunity to establish documentation, training programs, and quality controls alongside facility planning and equipment qualification.

Introducing a QMS during early operational planning allows SOPs, validation activities, and documentation structures to be built into daily lab workflows. Equipment qualification, calibration schedules, and maintenance records can be aligned with quality requirements from the outset rather than retrofitted later.

For expanding laboratories, a structured QMS ensures new spaces, processes, and personnel are integrated consistently without fragmenting existing operations.

Laboratory Quality Management Systems as a Foundation for Regulatory Readiness

A Laboratory Quality Management System is not only a compliance tool but also a mechanism for maintaining continuous audit readiness . Laboratories operating without a formal QMS often struggle to demonstrate control during inspections due to incomplete records, inconsistent training documentation, or unclear corrective action processes.

Implementing a QMS before regulatory engagement allows laboratories to proactively establish document control, training management, nonconformance handling, and internal audit programs. This approach reduces the likelihood of findings and supports predictable inspection outcomes.

Rather than responding reactively to regulatory expectations, laboratories with established quality systems operate with clarity and confidence.

Integrating a Lab QMS with Laboratory Operations

Effective Lab QMS implementation requires alignment with how a laboratory actually functions. Quality systems must support scientific workflows, equipment use, and personnel responsibilities without introducing unnecessary administrative burden.

Integrating Lab QMS principles into daily operations ensures that documentation, validation, and corrective actions reflect real laboratory activity. This alignment improves adoption, strengthens accountability, and promotes continuous improvement rather than checklist compliance.

Laboratories that implement a QMS as a living system benefit from improved consistency, reduced operational risk, and stronger long-term performance.

The Overbrook Approach to Laboratory QMS Implementation

Determining when to implement a Laboratory Quality Management System depends on laboratory maturity, regulatory exposure, and operational complexity. Overbrook Support Services works with laboratories to assess readiness, identify risk, and implement QMS frameworks at the appropriate stage of the lab lifecycle.

Our approach integrates quality planning with laboratory operations , equipment qualification, and compliance requirements. By implementing a QMS proactively, laboratories establish a foundation that supports accuracy, consistency, and regulatory confidence as operations evolve.

For laboratories evaluating the timing of QMS implementation, Overbrook provides structured guidance aligned with long-term operational objectives.

Equipment Sourcing and Procurement Done Right: The Role of Specialists in Fit Outs

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:37:06 GMT

Laboratory equipment sourcing and procurement is one of the most critical components of a successful lab fit out. Decisions made during this process directly affect laboratory functionality, construction timelines, infrastructure readiness, and long-term operational performance. When sourcing and procurement are approached without early planning and specialist engagement, misalignment between equipment, facility conditions, and installation requirements can introduce unnecessary risk, cost, and disruption.

Laboratory fit outs require a coordinated and holistic approach that integrates equipment planning, site infrastructure, workflow requirements, and construction phasing. Trained specialists play a central role in ensuring sourcing and procurement decisions support both the scientific mission and the business objectives of the organization.

Why Laboratory Equipment Sourcing and Procurement Fails Without Proper Planning

Equipment procurement challenges rarely stem from the equipment itself. More often, issues arise when procurement decisions are made without a full understanding of facility constraints, infrastructure capacity, downstream installation, and support requirements.

Without early equipment planning , laboratories risk selecting instrumentation that is not aligned with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or environmental infrastructure. Inadequate consideration of access pathways, staging space, and installation sequencing can further complicate delivery and commissioning. These oversights frequently surface late in the project when corrections are costly and timelines are compressed.

Early engagement enables laboratory leadership to make informed decisions that align procurement with the facility's realities and the overall project plan.

How Laboratory Equipment Planning Impacts Lab Fit Outs

Laboratory equipment planning establishes the framework for a functional and efficient fit out . Planning begins with an evaluation of current, short-term, and long-term science and business plans and how those plans influence space requirements, assay workflows, personnel growth, and future equipment needs.

Specialists assess laboratory layout and configuration, including MEP requirements, bench dimensions, weight tolerances, clearance requirements, intended use, and workflows. These considerations directly affect equipment selection and placement. When equipment planning is integrated into, procurement decisions support both short and long-term adaptability of the laboratory.

The Role of Equipment Planning Specialists in Lab Fit Out Projects

Equipment planning specialists serve as a coordinating resource across procurement, facilities, vendors, and project management teams. Their role is to ensure equipment selection aligns with infrastructure capacity, installation requirements, and operational expectations.

Specialists evaluate known performance and maintenance considerations, parts availability, software usability, training requirements, and compliance needs. They also coordinate with instrument vendors, movers, engineers, and environmental health and safety services to support decommissioning, relocation, installation, and post-installation maintenance.

By managing these interdependencies, specialists reduce the likelihood of procurement decisions that introduce operational or logistical challenges during the fit out.

Coordinating Equipment Procurement With Lab Construction and Installation

Successful procurement requires alignment with construction timelines and installation sequencing. Equipment deliveries must be coordinated with site readiness, certificate-of-occupancy requirements, and the completion of supporting infrastructure.

Specialists account for vendor lead times related to de-installation, decontamination, moving, installation, and validation. Communication with the owner’s project managers and MEP contractors ensures mechanical, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, HVAC, gas services, vibration mitigation, and weight tolerances are addressed before equipment arrives on site.

This coordination is especially critical in active laboratories where research, production, and mission-critical assays must continue throughout construction and relocation phases.

The Value of Specialist-Led Laboratory Fit Outs

Laboratory expansions and new build outs are frequently undertaken without a full understanding of the complexity involved in creating an optimally functional laboratory . Equipment planners and procurement specialists should be engaged early as a leading organizational resource.

When procurement is integrated into a comprehensive fit out strategy, organizations can avoid costly oversights and remediations that negatively affect timelines, budgets, and operations. Specialist-led planning empowers decision makers to make informed choices that support a smooth transition into new or expanded laboratory spaces.

For organizations planning laboratory projects, Overbrook’s Fit Out Services integrate equipment planning, procurement, and commissioning into a coordinated approach that supports the laboratory throughout its full lifecycle.

The Difference Between a Test Fit and a Fit-Out in Laboratory Projects

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 19:50:55 GMT

In laboratory design and relocation projects, test fits and fit-outs play different roles in how a lab ultimately comes together. A test fit helps confirm whether equipment can function within a given space, while a fit-out focuses on supplying, relocating, and installing laboratory instrumentation once feasibility has been established.

For teams planning a new lab or relocating an existing one, understanding this distinction helps to clarify different deliverables of the project.

What Is a Laboratory Test Fit?

A laboratory test fit is an early planning step used to evaluate whether instrumentation, furnishings, and utilities can be accommodated within a specific space. Rather than locking in construction details, the goal is to confirm physical fit, service access, and workflow feasibility before making decisions that are difficult or costly to reverse.

During a test fit, existing or proposed equipment is reviewed against factors such as footprint, ceiling height, bench layout, and available utilities. This process helps identify limitations early and allows teams to adjust plans before relocation or installation begins.

Test fits are required for laboratory relocations , where existing instruments must be evaluated in a new environment. Addressing site requirements upfront helps reduce installation challenges, field modifications, and schedule disruptions later on.

What Is a Laboratory Fit-Out?

A laboratory fit-out is fitting out a laboratory with its required instrumentation.

Fit-outs bring together multiple moving parts. Equipment must arrive on schedule, utilities must be ready, and installations must be coordinated to minimize downtime. Because this phase involves significant on-site activity and investment, having clear expectations and accurate planning information is critical.

In all laboratory projects, fit-outs involve integrating existing and or new instrumentation into a new space while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations. Ensuring that equipment can be installed and supported as planned helps keep the project moving and avoids unnecessary delays.

How Fit Outs Inform Test Fit Decisions

Although test fits and fit-outs are separate deliverables, they are closely connected in practice. Test fits combine existing and newly acquired assets and provide clarifying spatial constraints, utility capacity, and service access requirements.

Without a proper test fit, project and science plan schedules can be undermined, and installation teams may encounter clearance issues, limited utility capacity, or access challenges that require adjustments during installation. Test fits reduce these risks by establishing a clearer picture of what the space can support.

When site suitability is understood upfront, project execution is predictable and manageable.

Fit-Out Considerations in Laboratory Projects

Fit-out requirements are driven by a combination of the laboratory’s business and science plans. Execution of the fit-out plan is performed by the relocation project management team, which has the skill set to coordinate the sourcing and procurement of assets to be placed in the new location.

This work is completed in coordination with all constituents involved in the build-out or relocation project, including the owner’s project manager, laboratory purchasing, and finance.

The Overbrook Approach

Laboratory projects require a level of technical understanding beyond layout and installation. Test fits require a clear grasp of equipment behavior, service requirements, and spatial limitations. Fit-outs demand the ability to translate that information into coordinated execution, procurement decisions, and on-site integration.

Overbrook Support Services supports laboratories by providing test fits, equipment relocation, fit-out execution, and procurement guidance, with a focus on technical accuracy and long-term performance.

By approaching laboratory planning and execution with this level of detail, we help ensure that equipment is integrated correctly, projects move forward with fewer surprises, and laboratories are positioned to operate as intended from day one.

Instrumentation Specialists vs. OPMs: Who Should Execute Your Test Fit?

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 18:23:44 GMT

When designing or relocating a laboratory , test fits serve as a critical bridge between science and construction. They ensure that instrumentation, utilities, and workflow align long before installation begins. The question is, who should oversee this process: the OPM or a technical specialist? The answer depends on understanding what a test fit is meant to accomplish and the expertise required to do it correctly.

Why Laboratory Test Fits Require Technical Oversight

A laboratory test fit begins with the science plan and the people who will carry it out. Every instrument functions as a mechanical system with specific environmental, spatial, and utility requirements that go far beyond standard construction knowledge. Determining umbilical support, bench load capacities, gas pressure decay distances, ventilation needs, and service accessibility requires specialized knowledge of laboratory instrumentation, not general building methods.

OPMs excel at managing schedules, materials, and construction teams, but they often lack the technical background needed to translate scientific workflows into mechanical and spatial plans. Oversight from a qualified instrumentation engineer ensures that equipment placement, gas and electrical connections, and service access points are designed according to precise specifications rather than assumptions.

Without this level of technical planning, labs often face costly rework such as rerouting utilities, reopening walls, or modifying casework after construction. These problems can be avoided with proper test fit oversight .

The Role of Technical Specialists in Laboratory Test Fits

Technical specialists understand both the scientific goals of the lab and the operational requirements of the instrumentation that supports those goals. At Overbrook, our test fit process begins by assessing workflow, current and future scientific needs, and each instrument’s mechanical dependencies.

This technical insight allows our team to work directly with architects, engineers, and OPMs to ensure that utilities, ventilation, and workspace layouts are guided by function rather than adjusted after the fact. By engaging specialists early, the test fit becomes more than a layout exercise. It becomes a comprehensive plan that drives design accuracy, reduces construction risk, and aligns infrastructure with real-world laboratory operations.

Who Should Manage a Laboratory Test Fit?

OPMs play a vital role in building the physical environment, but laboratory test fits should be managed by technical specialists who understand the instrumentation, workflows, and service requirements that define a lab’s success. Once test fits and equipment planning are finalized, architects and MEP engineers can translate those details into construction documents, allowing OPMs to build with confidence and precision.

This collaboration allows every stakeholder to focus on their area of expertise:

Technical specialists ensure scientific and mechanical accuracy.
Architects and engineers document the plan and coordinate systems.
OPMs manage execution, coordination, schedule, and budget on behalf of the owner.

The result is a smooth transition from planning to construction and a laboratory that performs as intended from day one.

How Proper Test Fit Oversight Ensures a Successful Laboratory Build

Test fit oversight by qualified technical specialists reduces errors, prevents workflow inefficiencies, and eliminates the need for costly redesigns. At Overbrook Support Services , our team ensures that scientific objectives drive every design decision, aligning utilities, layout, and mechanical systems with the realities of daily research operations.

By placing technical expertise at the center of test fit planning, laboratories achieve efficient layouts, supported utilities, and long-term adaptability for future growth. The success of a laboratory build depends on starting with a test fit that is scientifically sound, technically accurate, and managed by professionals who understand both the science and the structure.

Reducing Laboratory Project Delays with Integrated Test Fits and Fit-Outs

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 19:30:00 GMT

Delays in laboratory projects often begin long before construction starts. When lab planning lacks detailed technical validation, hidden issues emerge later and disrupt schedules. These early disruptions can delay equipment commissioning, disrupt workflows, and jeopardize research outcomes.

Time-to-market is critical in laboratory environments. But shortening timelines is not just about speeding up construction. It requires reducing preventable delays during planning and coordination.

Laboratory test fits move design approval to complete operational readiness with greater certainty and fewer disruptions. This process starts by converting scientific workflows into accurate, buildable lab layouts , ensuring planning decisions fully support how the lab will function in practice.

The Cost of Delays in Laboratory Projects

Laboratories support time-sensitive work. A delayed lab opening can stall research, interrupt staffing plans, and affect organizational goals.

Once construction begins, resolving planning oversights becomes more complex and expensive. Late changes often lead to redesigns, utility rework, budget increases, and schedule setbacks.

Reducing time-to-market means eliminating avoidable delays caused by incomplete planning, late-stage changes, or misaligned decisions from the earliest project phases.

Early Planning Gaps That Delay Laboratory Projects

Many project delays stem from planning phases that lack thorough technical validation. When layouts are developed without a full understanding of lab needs, risks often remain hidden until execution begins.

Examples of common planning gaps include:

Layouts based on assumptions rather than verified space requirements.
Equipment and utility demands were not fully integrated into early planning.
Procurement decisions are made before technical layouts are complete.
Insufficient coordination between science workflows and mechanical requirements.

When these gaps surface in the field, rework becomes necessary, and momentum slows. Addressing laboratory planning risks early is critical to keeping projects on schedule.

How Laboratory Test Fits Eliminate Early Delays

A laboratory test fit starts with the science plan, workflows, and instrumentation rather than with architectural assumptions. This approach ensures that equipment placement and utility needs are evaluated early and accurately.

Key considerations in a test fit include:

Full equipment footprints and clearance requirements.
Gas, electrical, and utility connectivity.
Environmental and engineering dependencies.
Operational and maintenance access needs.

By verifying equipment, utility, and operational requirements early in the planning phase, potential conflicts can be resolved before design advances. This early verification establishes a strong technical foundation and reduces downstream surprises.

How Accurate Laboratory Test Fits Support Better Design Decisions

Overbrook’s laboratory test fit services translate workflows, instrumentation requirements, and utility dependencies into accurate, buildable plans that reflect the actual needs of the lab environment.

Accurate test fits help:

Prevent overlooked equipment needs.
Ensure proper space allocation for peripherals and workflows.
Provide clear information to designers before detailed drawings begin.

This technical grounding supports better decisions, smoother approvals, and fewer revisions later in the project.

How Laboratory Fit-Outs Prevent Disruptions During Execution

Fit-outs take verifies planning information and turn it into a coordinated implementation sequence. Overbrook’s laboratory fit-out services help clients with budgeting, sourcing, equipment acquisition, and commissioning, all aligned with broader project goals.

Fit-out support includes:

Instrumentation procurement and logistics.
Vendor-neutral sourcing to match scientific and business needs.
Lead-time coordination with construction schedules.
Consideration of performance, maintainability, and training needs.

This hands-on oversight reduces costly misorders, installation interruptions, and last-minute field adjustments.

How Test Fits and Fit-Outs Work Together

Separating test fit planning from fit-outs increases the likelihood of information loss, creating assumptions and late changes that slow progress and increase costs.

Managing both as a continuous, coordinated process ensures that:

Procurement of new instrumentation influences proper test fits.
Procurement decisions align with overall budgets.

This continuity creates a direct, predictable, and efficient path from planning to operation.

Who Benefits from Integrated Laboratory Test Fit and Fit-Out Planning

An integrated test fit and fit-out process benefits multiple stakeholders:

Lab managers gain smoother installations and fewer disruptions.
Facilities leaders avoid late-stage utility changes and rework.
Owners and developers see better schedule predictability.
Design teams work from accurate, validated requirements.

Maintaining technical oversight from early planning through execution builds confidence and reduces risk at every stage.

Laboratory Test Fits and Fit-Out Services

Integrating laboratory test fits with fit-out services connects planning and execution while preserving technical clarity and project momentum. By maintaining alignment between instrumentation requirements, infrastructure needs, and procurement decisions, teams move from design approval to commissioning with fewer surprises.

Contact Overbrook Support Services to learn how integrated laboratory planning and fit-out services can help your lab move efficiently from planning to operation.

Future-Proofing Labs with Test Fits: Designing for Tomorrow

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:21:42 GMT

Scientific progress moves quickly, and laboratories must keep pace. When future needs are not considered early, design decisions can limit what a lab can support later. A thorough laboratory test fit prevents these issues by evaluating how equipment, workflows, and utilities function today while preparing the space for tomorrow’s technology and expansion.

Why Future Instrumentation Planning Matters in Laboratory Design

Designing a laboratory is not just about solving today’s challenges. It also requires planning for long-term goals and anticipating how scientific programs may shift over time. During a test fit, every piece of instrumentation is assessed for:

Current space and utility needs
Impact of future equipment or upgrades
Potential workflow or staffing changes

Early planning must also account for:

Bench space availability
Ceiling height for larger or taller systems
Gas supply scalability
Electrical capacity and panel readiness

By addressing these items early, laboratories can:

Add or upgrade systems without major disruption
Avoid expensive changes to utilities and infrastructure
Reduce the likelihood of reopening walls or rerouting systems later

This proactive approach ensures the lab can expand without unnecessary cost or downtime.

How Test Fits Make Laboratory Designs More Scalable

A test fit provides the technical foundation for scalable lab design. It aligns mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure with the lab’s operational goals. This ensures both existing and future equipment have the support and environmental conditions they need to function properly.

At Overbrook Support Services , test fits are developed through close coordination with technical specialists, architects, and engineers. This collaboration helps teams identify how future instrumentation or program growth may affect layout and utility demands. By planning for these scenarios early, laboratories can integrate new systems without interrupting ongoing operations.

What Infrastructure Readiness Means for Future-Proof Labs

Future-proof laboratory design depends on strong infrastructure readiness. Key elements such as electrical panel capacity, HVAC zoning, gas line routing, vibration mitigation, and data connectivity all determine how easily new instrumentation can be introduced.

Without proper planning, changes in these areas often lead to unplanned downtime or costly reconstruction. Technical specialists help identify where additional capacity can be built into the design, allowing future upgrades with minimal disruption. This ensures performance, safety, and compliance as research needs evolve.

How Test Fit Planning Keeps Labs Adaptable Over Time

Comprehensive test fit planning gives laboratories a roadmap for long-term adaptability. It accounts for new instrumentation, workflow adjustments, and potential staffing shifts while maintaining operational efficiency.

By translating scientific and technical requirements into a functional layout, test fits help laboratories stay flexible as technology and research priorities evolve. At Overbrook Support Services, our test fit process emphasizes technical accuracy and operational resilience. Planning for tomorrow’s needs today allows laboratories to operate efficiently now while staying ready for future innovation.

Converting Workflows Into Lab Layouts: The True Value of Test Fits

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:02:45 GMT

A laboratory’s success depends on how well its space supports scientific work. Designing or relocating a lab isn’t just about placing benches and equipment—it’s about creating a functional, efficient environment where workflows, instrumentation, and people operate seamlessly.

Test fit planning bridges the gap between science and design, translating methods into layouts that work from day one.

How Lab Test Fits Translate Workflows Into Functional Designs

Every laboratory operates differently, with unique spatial and technical requirements. A test fit ensures those practices align with the placement of instrumentation, utilities, and storage. Key considerations include:

How scientists move through the lab during daily tasks
Where equipment must sit in relation to power, ventilation, and gas connections
How peripherals and storage integrate into the space without interrupting work
Clearances and service access that keep operations running smoothly

Without this level of planning, inefficiencies quickly emerge. Instruments may be crowded, storage inadequate, and researchers forced to adapt to a poorly conceived space. A thorough test fit prevents these issues by matching room layout to scientific needs.

Why Lab Test Fit Planning Prevents Inefficiency and Costly Redesigns

At Overbrook Support Services , every test fit goes far beyond drafting plans. We ensure that the lab’s scientific goals and equipment drive layout decisions. By turning scientific activity into functional space, clients avoid expensive redesigns, create ergonomic environments, and protect their long-term investment.

How Overbrook Uses Test Fits to Align Layouts With Future Lab Needs

Our test fit process starts by aligning with the lab’s current and future needs. We then create layouts that maximize workflow efficiency, maintain safety through proper clearances, and provide room for growth. The outcome is a laboratory designed for uninterrupted, high-performance science.

The true value of a lab test fit is its ability to align workflows with functional space. Overbrook Support Services helps companies avoid costly redesigns by transforming complex requirements into clear, practical layouts that keep laboratories efficient, safe, and ready to perform from the outset.

How Early Equipment Planning Drives Successful Lab Projects

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 14:43:03 GMT

Designing or relocating an efficient laboratory is a complex project where every decision affects both daily operations and long-term success. One of the most important factors in achieving a smooth, on-time, and on-budget result is when equipment planning begins.

For architects and lab managers, the earlier you bring in a lab equipment planning expert like Overbrook Support Services , the more time, resources, and frustration you will save.

Why Early Lab Equipment Planning is Critical for Well-designed Labs

Well-designed laboratories are highly specialized environments. Workflows, safety requirements, and equipment compatibility must all align with the space from day one. Starting equipment planning too late can lead to:

Costly redesigns when layouts fail to account for power, gas, or clearance needs
Delays caused by equipment arriving before the space is ready or not fitting at all
Operational inefficiencies that reduce productivity from the start

Addressing equipment layout and workflow in the earliest design stages creates a clear roadmap for your team and contractors, minimizing disruptions and preventing expensive changes mid-project.

Risks of Handling Lab Equipment Planning Without an Expert

Keeping equipment planning in-house or relying on a general contractor without lab-specific experience is risky. Without specialized knowledge:

Critical details such as ventilation requirements, specialized gas lines, or vibration control for sensitive instruments may be missed
Small errors, like a misplaced water line, can result in tearing out finished work
Your team may be pulled away from core responsibilities, causing delays and additional stress

These oversights are common in projects without experienced planning support and can quickly turn into costly setbacks.

How Overbrook Support Services Improves Lab Design and Workflow

Overbrook specializes in creating accurate test fits that address the technical and operational needs of efficient laboratories. Our services include:

Engaging early in the design phase to align architectural plans with equipment requirements
Conducting detailed audits of each asset, including dimensions, clearances, and utility needs
Optimizing workflows so lab staff can work efficiently from day one

This approach removes uncertainty, safeguards your budget, and ensures your lab is properly designed.

Early Equipment Planning with Overbrook

Starting your lab project with a specialized partner like Overbrook ensures every detail is accounted for from day one. Early collaboration enables our team to seamlessly integrate equipment planning, workflow optimization, and logistical coordination into your project timeline. By engaging with Overbrook at the outset, you reduce risks, avoid costly redesigns , and maintain uninterrupted lab operations.

Our approach provides clarity for architects, project managers, and lab staff alike, creating a practical plan that aligns technical requirements with operational goals. With Overbrook’s guidance, your lab is set up for a smooth transition and efficient workflows so your team can focus on science instead of surprises.

Lab Relocation Services: Minimize Any Lab Disruption

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 16:47:30 GMT

Why Expertise Matters in Lab Relocation Services

At some point in a lab's lifecycle , relocation or expansion becomes necessary. Whether you're relocating across the street or across the country, a lab relocation is a complex process that impacts your research, clients, and business goals. No matter the distance or size of the move, the objective remains the same: get your lab back up and running with as little disruption as possible .

Unfortunately, many lab relocations are poorly organized or executed . They're often handled internally by teams lacking the necessary technical expertise, or they're delegated to project managers who may be experienced in construction but are unfamiliar with the complexities of lab instrumentation, equipment servicing, and the detailed coordination required to ensure a successful lab transition .

Reliable Lab Relocation Services

At Overbrook, lab relocation services are at the heart of what we do. Our experienced project managers and lab relocation engineers specialize in planning and executing smooth, efficient moves. We work within your timeline and production schedules to protect your assets and minimize downtime. From start to finish , we coordinate with movers, oversee the transport of equipment, and manage the requalification of critical instrumentation at your new location.

We understand that your lab's success depends on a smooth transition. That's why we focus on completing your lab relocation on time , within budget, and with as little disruption as possible so your team can get back to its science without delay.

Lab Relocation Services: Why Operational Insight is Critical to Success

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 15:35:57 GMT

Understanding Lab Operations: The Foundation of Effective Lab Relocation Services

Successful lab relocation services require more than just logistics. They need a thorough understanding of how the lab operates on a day-to-day basis. Knowing what's happening in the lab, who the key contacts are within the client group, and whether critical workflows must be maintained during the transition is essential for effective lab relocation services.

Why Discovery and Communication Are Critical in Lab Relocation Services

A formal discovery process should be undertaken, including interviews or questionnaires of key laboratory and administrative personnel. This process is a collaborative one and requires the cooperation of all client team members . Depending on the size and culture of the organization, this can be a challenging exercise. Group leaders' roles within the organization may not be clearly defined, the level of access to scientists or personnel who have this information may be limited, and availability may already be stretched. In some cases, team members may also be resistant to the actual or perceived additional responsibilities associated with relocating a lab to the new location.

Because the process of acquiring this information falls outside the normal demands of time and availability for all involved, it is often met with varying degrees of success. The ability to impress upon the team the importance of obtaining and aggregating information without unnecessary disruption is an essential dynamic of the lab relocation discovery process. It needs to be led by individuals who can establish trust and credibility with the entire team by illustrating an understanding not only of how the lab operates but also of the scientists' and bench personnel's concerns in order to effectively and adequately perform their jobs during and after the move.

This deep understanding of lab operations allows lab relocation specialists to engage in meaningful conversations and deliver accurate insights to upper management. It plays a critical role in creating a practical and achievable lab relocation plan and budget.

Proper Budgeting and Cost Management in Lab Relocations

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 20:21:30 GMT

Relocating a laboratory is a complex process that requires meticulous budgeting and cost management. Proper planning helps avoid unexpected expenses, delays, and operational disruptions. To ensure a seamless transition, labs must anticipate key cost factors and strategically coordinate each phase of the move.

Key Cost Considerations in Lab Relocations

Budgeting for a lab relocation involves multiple operational and construction considerations that can impact both cost and timeline. These include:

Inspection Certificates, Permitting, and Construction Delays

Unexpected delays in securing necessary permits due to improper planning, impact construction schedules and issuance of inspection certificates which will disrupt the entire relocation timeline. Proper planning prevents budget overruns and schedule setbacks.

Additional Scope of Work and Rescheduling of Movers and Service Vendors

Laboratory moves require precision coordination across multiple parties, including movers and specialized instrument vendors. Without expert oversight, missteps can lead to rescheduling fees, staff downtime, and disruptions to site access. Reputable lab relocation services help manage logistics proactively to avoid repeated deinstallations, reinstallation visits, and associated expenses. Lack of coordination can result in cost overrun which include:

Rescheduling of movers, vehicles, staff and site access availability.
Rescheduling and multiple site visits for deinstallation and reinstallation of assets.

Strategic Budget Planning: Staying on Schedule and Within Budget

To control costs and avoid unnecessary expenses, activities must be logically sequenced, allowing enough time for each phase. Since many labs must remain operational during relocation—essentially "changing the wheels on a car while it's moving"—precise coordination is essential.

The Organization and Budget Stage of a Lab Relocation

This critical phase outlines all key logistical and financial activities, ensuring a structured and cost-efficient relocation. It includes:

Identifying logistical activities, milestones, and associated costs.
Allocating time for permitting, inspections, and construction phases.
Developing a detailed mover's schedule that aligns with service vendor activities.

Coordinating Vendor and Equipment Logistics

Proper sequencing and scheduling of service vendor tasks play a vital role in cost control. The following activities must be carefully planned:

Benchmarking and Deinstallation – Ensuring instruments are safely removed and documented before transport.
Appropriate Packing and Transport – Proper handling to mitigate the risk of damage.
Reinstallation and Qualification – Restoring equipment to operational standards post-move.
Newly purchased Equipment Setup – Coordinating delivery, installation, and certification without disrupting ongoing operations.

Effective Cost Management for a Smooth Lab Relocation

Budgeting for a lab relocation requires detailed planning, strategic sequencing, and precise coordination to properly estimate costs. By proper planning, identifying key cost factors and structuring activities with realistic timeframes, labs can minimize financial risks while ensuring operational continuity.

Need expert guidance? Overbrook Support Services specializes in lab relocations, offering expertise in cost management, asset coordination , and vendor logistics to ensure a seamless transition. Contact us to learn more!

Lab Relocations: Avoiding Costly Mistakes

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:59:48 GMT

Relocating a lab is a complex process that requires strategic planning and specialized expertise. Many labs underestimate the challenges involved, relying on internal teams or general project managers who may not fully grasp the technical and logistical requirements. This unawareness often leads to delays, workflow disruptions, and costly errors.

To ensure a smooth and efficient lab relocation , labs must plan, engage the right experts, and maintain clear communication among all stakeholders. Partnering with professionals who offer lab relocation services can help navigate these complexities and minimize risk. Here are six common pitfalls to avoid:

Inadequate Planning in Lab Relocations

Issue: Most labs underestimate the time required for relocation, leading to delays.

Example: Inaccurate asset surveys delay permits, architectural plans, and construction, creating a domino effect.

Solution: Start early, conduct a comprehensive asset survey, and plan contingencies.

Lack of Specialized Expertise in Lab Relocations

Issue: Labs must continue operating during relocation, requiring experts who understand both lab workflows and equipment needs.

Example: Internal staff struggles with vendor coordination, safety regulations, and technical requirements, causing disruptions.

Solution: Work with a lab relocation specialist who understands instrumentation and lab operations.

Poor Coordination and Communication in Lab Relocations

Issue: Relocation involves multiple teams—scientists, facility managers, movers, vendors, and engineers—leading to bottlenecks.

Example: Failure to align with quality assurance teams delays instrument installation and qualification at the new site.

Solution: Assign a relocation manager to oversee communication and ensure smooth execution.

Overlooking Landing Site Readiness in a Lab Relocation

Issue: Equipment may not fit or connect appropriately at the new site.

Example: Mislabeled gas lines, incompatible fittings, or incorrect electrical outlets cause last-minute delays.

Solution: Conduct engineering walkthroughs to verify site readiness before the move.

Poor Execution on Moving Day for a Lab Relocation

Issue: Multiple vendors working simultaneously in a limited space can lead to confusion and delays.

Example: Installers, movers, and contractors arrive at the same time, causing crowded workspaces and disorganized schedules.

Solution: A dedicated on-site relocation team should manage vendor coordination, troubleshoot issues, and oversee execution.

Ensuring a Successful Lab Move

A well-executed lab relocation depends on early planning, expert oversight, and seamless coordination. Partnering with experienced lab relocation specialists ensures a smooth transition, minimizes downtime, and protects valuable assets.

Need expert guidance? Overbrook Support Services specializes in lab relocations, asset management, and vendor coordination—ensuring a stress-free move.

Why Detailed Asset Management is Key to Successful Lab Relocations

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:19:53 GMT

Many laboratory relocations are disorganized or poorly executed, and the impact on burn rates, diverted labor, troubleshooting costs, and quality control is often underestimated.

This is why professional Lab Relocation Services are essential. These services ensure that moves are carefully planned and executed to minimize disruptions. Because lab moves happen frequently, the overall effect across the industry can significantly reduce productivity in research and development, healthcare, and manufacturing. This directly affects how efficiently essential drugs and products reach the market.

Why Technical Expertise Matters in Lab Relocations

In some cases, laboratory relocation projects are handled internally, often without a complete understanding of the required skill set or the complexity involved. Alternatively, relocations are frequently assigned to movers or owner project managers (OPMs) who, while experienced in new project construction, may lack the technical expertise needed for laboratory instrumentation, service and support requirements, and other critical factors that influence project phasing and the overall relocation plan.

Keys to a Successful Lab Relocation

A deep understanding of laboratory assets , workflows, and the daily operational needs of lab personnel is essential for establishing credibility and fostering cooperation among diverse cross-functional teams, including scientists, facilities teams, lab management, and support staff.

Choosing a qualified equipment planner and relocation manager is a crucial decision. Selection criteria should include a comprehensive understanding of laboratory operations, as well as the specialized technical and managerial skills required to gather and analyze critical information that will guide key decisions. This decision ensures that all stakeholders can effectively fulfill their roles in the relocation process.

Successfully managing and executing a laboratory relocation requires recognizing its complexity, identifying weak links in accountability, strategically placing the right resources, and maintaining meticulous attention to detail. These should be fundamental criteria when selecting a relocation manager.

Understanding the Chain of Accountability in Laboratory Relocations

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 17:53:33 GMT

Laboratory relocations involve complex interactions between various groups, each responsible for specific aspects of the move. Effective communication is crucial due to the complexity and time-sensitive nature of these relocations, especially since labs must continue their research and testing during the transition. Here's a closer look at the roles and interactions of the key groups involved:

1. The Client Group: This group includes the relocation team, user representatives, budget authority, relocation manager, and other interacting members such as facilities personnel, EH&S, administrators, end users, and consultants. They generate vital information like site audit data, project timelines, and scope of work, coordinating closely with laboratory personnel to ensure smooth communication throughout the project. Organizational briefings for key personnel are crucial to relay important updates about the relocation and the new facility.

2. The Design Group : Comprising architects, engineers, and specialized consultants, this group is tasked with the design and engineering plans of the new laboratory. They handle everything from fire and environmental engineering to special permits and the commissioning of new spaces. Once plans are finalized, they are handed over to the construction group.

3. The Construction Group: This group is responsible for building the new facility, which includes the General Contractor and its subcontractors. They also handle the procurement of lab-specific items like furniture, hoods, benches, and gas generators, which are crucial for the lab's functionality.

4. The Vendor Group: This group consists of vendors providing essential lab relocation services such as moving, calibration, benchmarking, packing, deinstallation, reinstallation, and qualification of lab instruments. Additional services like temporary storage, security, catering, disposal, and personnel transportation fall under this category. If new or replacement instruments and equipment are needed, equipment manufacturers or distributors are also included here.

Each group must maintain clear and open channels of communication, established through defined processes and protocols, to manage the flow of information effectively. This structure ensures that each phase of the relocation is executed with accountability and precision, minimizing disruptions to ongoing laboratory operations.

At Overbrook Support Services , we understand the complexities involved in having all parties rowing in the same direction. Managing such a multifaceted process can be a full-time job, which is why we handle it for you, allowing you to focus on your science.

Lab Relocation Management: Small Details, Big Impact

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 18:28:02 GMT

Benjamin Franklin's aphorism, "For want of a nail, the kingdom was lost," reminds us that minor oversights can lead to significant failures. This principle rings true for lab relocation services , where attention to detail is critical to avoiding costly errors and delays. Successful lab relocations rest on four pillars: Communication Management, Laboratory Operations, the Relocation Plan, and Move Management and Execution.

Communication Management

Effective communication is the backbone of a seamless lab relocation, connecting four key stakeholder groups:

Client Group: Manages site audits, project timelines, and scope of work while coordinating with facilities, EH&S, administrators, and end-users.
Design Group: Architects and engineers create the new lab's design and pass plans to construction teams.
Construction Group: General contractors and subcontractors handle facility construction and equipment procurement.
Vendor Group: Includes movers, instrument service providers, and others responsible for packing, transporting, and reinstallation.

A clear communication workflow ensures accurate and timely information sharing, preventing delays or costly errors, such as reconfiguring layouts mid-move.

Laboratory Operations

Lab operations must continue during the relocation, requiring precise planning. The asset matrix—a detailed inventory of lab instruments, utilities, and space requirements—is essential for aligning design, construction, and relocation efforts. Inaccuracies in this document can lead to cascading issues, such as retrofitting spaces or delaying equipment installations.

The Relocation Plan

A comprehensive lab relocation plan addresses logistics, phasing, and contingencies to ensure minimal disruption and adherence to budgets. It coordinates stakeholder efforts and anticipates potential challenges, keeping the relocation process on track.

Move Management and Execution

The move's success depends on real-time updates, vendor coordination, and post-move testing. Instruments must be uninstalled appropriately, transported, and validated to ensure full functionality in the new space.

Laboratory relocations are intricate projects where every detail matters. By focusing on communication, operations, planning, and execution, organizations can minimize risks and ensure a smooth transition. Attention to these critical pillars ensures that no "nail" is overlooked, keeping the entire project—and its success—secure.

The Necessity of Organized Asset Management for Laboratory Efficiency

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 16:17:32 GMT

Effective Lab Asset Management Services

Effective asset management is crucial for the efficiency of a laboratory, extending far beyond the simple upkeep of equipment. It encompasses a strategic approach that integrates the operational, technical, scientific, and economic factors impacting a lab's lifecycle. This complex coordination is necessary to maintain smooth operations and support innovation and profitability.

Boosting Lab Efficiency Through Expert-Led Asset Management

At the core of successful lab asset management is organizational proficiency, which ensures that all lab activities and personnel are aligned and effective. This approach brings to life the idea that "management is about helping others get their job done." By fostering a well-organized environment, labs can effectively manage and motivate everyone involved, from internal teams to external partners.

The importance of employing dedicated lab specialists cannot be understated. With a comprehensive management strategy, labs are better equipped to handle the complexities of laboratory asset management. Such a strategy not only improves operational efficiency but also keeps the lab competitive and at the cutting edge of technological and scientific advancements.

Maximizing Lab Performance with Strategic Asset Management

Recognizing the value of specialized expertise and implementing a comprehensive asset management strategy is critical for successfully managing the complexities of laboratory operations. Such an approach ensures operational efficiency, fosters innovation, and drives profitability, thereby keeping the laboratory at the forefront of its field. This strategic focus is essential for any lab aiming to optimize its functions and sustain its market leadership, ensuring that it can navigate the challenges of managing a sophisticated array of assets while pushing the boundaries of scientific research.

Lab Asset Management: The Impact of Service Consolidators

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 18:59:10 GMT

Cost Savings with Service Consolidators in Laboratory Asset Management

The advent of service consolidators in laboratory asset management has introduced major changes, including the adoption of healthcare insurance strategies like actuarial tables and risk management. These firms promised extensive cost savings, often projecting reductions of 10-15% by discontinuing traditional service contracts with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Independent Service Providers (ISPs). Instead, they shifted to a time-and-materials model, suggesting that laboratories could reduce expenses by receiving services only as needed.

Challenges & Risks of Time-and-Materials Service Models in Laboratory Management

Unfortunately, the practical outcomes of this shift revealed numerous challenges. Previously, laboratories enjoyed guaranteed response times under fixed service contracts, ensuring timely maintenance and repairs. Under the new model, these assurances were stripped away, leading to labs being deprioritized. Manufacturers and service providers, now motivated by less lucrative financial incentives, often failed to sustain the high levels of service quality and promptness that had been standard.

Moreover, the elimination of mandatory periodic maintenance , which had been a cornerstone of effective lab asset management , resulted in an increased frequency of equipment failures and longer downtimes. This change affected the laboratories' operational efficiency and compromised the accuracy and reliability of scientific work.

The Limitations of Generic Approaches in Laboratory Asset Management

The administrative, cost-centric approach adopted by service consolidators has frequently demonstrated a surface-level understanding of the nuanced operational needs inherent to laboratory environments. The result has been prolonged response times and a noticeable decline in the quality of service. This experience underscores the limitations of applying generic, uniform strategies to a sector that requires tailored solutions to meet its demands. It highlights the necessity for a more sophisticated and well-informed approach to asset management in laboratories , ensuring that cost-efficiency strategies uphold the critical functionalities and reliability needed in these high-stakes settings.

The Myths and Risks of Lab Asset Management Service Consolidators

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 15:26:20 GMT

The advent of service consolidators who provided the initial approach to laboratory asset management introduced major healthcare insurance strategies like actuarial tables and risk management to managing assets in the laboratory. The promise of significant cost savings by discontinuing traditional service contracts with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), remains appealing to laboratory management. Shifting from full-service agreements to a time-and-materials basis, suggests that laboratories can cut costs by only paying for services as needed.

Evaluating the Impact of Service Consolidators on Laboratory Operations

The practical outcomes of this shift reveal numerous challenges. Under fixed service contracts, laboratories can benefit from guaranteed response times, ensuring timely maintenance and repairs. However, under the service consolidation model, these guarantees can be compromised, leading to laboratories being deprioritized. Manufacturers and service providers, motivated by less lucrative financial incentives, often fail to sustain the high levels of service quality and promptness that have been a standard approach to contractual service

Moreover, the elimination of mandatory periodic maintenance, which should be a cornerstone of effective asset management , can result in an increased frequency of equipment failures and longer downtimes. This change can affect the laboratories' operational efficiency and compromise the accuracy and reliability of scientific work.

Focusing on Required Proficiencies and True Cost Savings

The administrative, surface cost-focused approach of service consolidators often reflects a superficial grasp of the complex needs unique to laboratory environments. A limited understanding of where true efficiencies and cost savings reside leads to prolonged response times and a noticeable decline in service quality. This approach underscores the limitations of applying generic, uniform strategies to a sector that requires tailored solutions to meet its demands and highlights the necessity for a more sophisticated and well-informed approach to asset management. A well-designed asset management program , executed and maintained by asset managers who understand how laboratories actually work, know the assets and their service requirements, ensures that cost-efficient strategies maintain the critical functionalities and reliability required for a high-functioning laboratory.

Optimizing Lab Relocations with Test Fitting

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 17:32:14 GMT

Successful laboratory relocations involve a complex set of interactive activities that demand careful planning , efficient coordination, and precise execution, often within stringent timelines and production schedules. Lab relocations involve more than just transporting equipment. They ensure that scientific instruments and samples arrive safely and on time at their new location, and that the lab meets all compliance standards to quickly resume operations.

Why Outsource Your Lab Relocation?

Attempting to manage lab relocations internally often leads to significant challenges that can extend downtime and increase costs . Here are four compelling reasons to consider outsourcing this critical function to a professional service like Overbrook Support Services:

Minimize Downtime: One of the primary reasons lab owners regret attempting to manage relocations internally is the myriad of unexpected issues that can derail tightly scheduled relocations. Outsourcing to a professional like Overbrook ensures that oversights are minimized, preventing costly delays.
Peace of Mind: Overbrook takes on the responsibility of ensuring the lab is relocation-ready, allowing lab managers and staff to continue their essential work without the burden of coordinating complex logistics .
Specialization: Overbrook's team includes equipment engineers who bring specific engineering expertise to your project. This expertise is crucial for the safe and efficient transfer of sensitive scientific instruments and laboratory equipment.
Augmentation: Overbrook doesn't just supplement your existing capabilities; it enhances your project management and facilities team by integrating deeply within your operations to ensure a seamless move.

Outsourcing lab relocation services to Overbrook Support Services allows lab owners to avoid the significant risks and disruptions associated with managing such complex projects internally. This outsourcing option not only saves time and money but also ensures that the lab can return to full operational capacity with minimal downtime, preserving the integrity and continuity of critical scientific work.

The Critical Role of Professional Test Fitting in Lab Relocations

Test fitting is a crucial part of the lab relocation process, yet it is often overlooked or undervalued. Professional test fitting goes beyond simple space checks—it involves a thorough analysis of environmental conditions, utility requirements, and compliance with safety standards, which are critical for ensuring the lab functions efficiently from day one.

Why Invest in Professional Test Fitting for Laboratories?

Comprehensive test fits and technical expertise prevent costly redesigns after relocation by ensuring lab equipment meets specific environmental and structural requirements. Investing in an experienced lab professional who understands test fitting can help with the following:

Costly Mistakes: Without a comprehensive test fit, labs may face expensive redesigns and retrofitting post-relocation. Professionals identify potential problems early, preventing costly and disruptive corrections later.
Technical Expertise: Overbrook brings a deep understanding of the technical requirements for various types of lab equipment, including considerations for ventilation, specialized power requirements, and structural supports.

Expertise Matters in Test Fitting and Lab Relocations

Successful laboratory relocations and test fittings require both experience and knowledge. This process hinges on expert collaboration and meticulous planning.

Collaborative Design: Effective lab design and relocation require collaboration between clients, architects, mechanical engineers, and lab specialists who understand the intricate needs of scientific equipment.
Comprehensive Planning: Proper planning and a comprehensive understanding of the lab's assets, environmental requirements, engineering dependencies, and workflow are crucial for a successful test fit. Effective planning involves ensuring appropriate clearances for utilities and confirming that the lab's design supports all equipment and operational necessities. This thorough preparation ensures that all aspects of the lab function harmoniously in the new location.

By outsourcing both lab relocation services and the critical test fitting process to Overbrook Support Services , lab owners can leverage specialized expertise that ensures a smooth transition and a functional lab environment, minimizing risks and downtime effectively. This strategic approach not only protects valuable scientific assets but also supports the continuity and success of crucial scientific endeavors.

The Importance of Comprehensive Test Fits in Lab Design

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 21:04:11 GMT

Perception of Minimal Value

When management views a comprehensive test fit as an unnecessary expense, it’s likely believed that the initial evaluation process involved adds extra cost and time to the project without providing enough valuable information to justify the added step. This perception could lead to delays in moving forward with the design and construction phases.

While the focus is on minimizing upfront costs, management often views the time and resources spent on a test fit as a direct expense that could be better allocated elsewhere in the project, not fully understanding the potential benefits.

Consequently, a comprehensive test fit is often seen as a basic layout check that can be done with less detailed analysis, potentially overlooking its role in identifying major feasibility issues early on.

Consequences of an Improper Test Fit

The cost of a comprehensive test fit can be inconsequential in comparison to purchase, architectural, mechanical engineering, and construction change orders that may be needed to remediate oversights. These oversights can include the reordering of lab benches, re-opening walls, running additional power lines, exhaust ducts, upgrading or re-installing electrical panels, and other costly fixes required to adequately accommodate instrumentation and laboratory workflows.

Relying on staff preferences for instrument placement with a clear understanding of the architectural, mechanical, or environmental limitations of the space, or a holistic understanding of the building architecture or engineering plans, often needs to consider the practical implications of the space. This can lead to suboptimal designs or costly remediations after plans have been drawn up and construction has been completed.

Considerations such as full footprint requirements, including data systems, peripheral equipment, and accessories, proper clearances to ensure gas and electrical connections, heat dissipation of rough pumps, accessibility by service engineers to service the equipment, bench weight tolerances, gas pressure decay distances from gas supplies, are just some of the factors that need to be taken into account for design feasibility.

Technical Knowledge is Critical to Proper Lab Design

Architects are often depended upon to design laboratories, relying on scientists' input and the owner's project managers (OPMs). Though fluent in new project construction, OPMs may not have the required technical understanding of laboratory instrumentation, service, and support requirements, as well as other critical considerations that affect the proper placement of instrumentation in the laboratory.

Proper laboratory design should be a process of collaboration between the client, their architect and mechanical engineers, and a laboratory instrument specialist with the technical instrumentation and engineering expertise to ensure proper umbilical support for the assets in the laboratory. An understanding of environmental requirements, engineering dependencies, connectivity to the laboratory's umbilical systems, and the laboratory workflow are required for a proper test fit and are essential for proper laboratory design.

A comprehensive audit of the laboratory's assets, an understanding of environmental requirements, engineering dependencies, connectivity to the laboratory's umbilical systems, and the laboratory workflow are required for a proper test fit and are essential for proper laboratory design.

The Challenges of In-House Asset Management for Laboratories

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 16:22:48 GMT

In recent years, laboratories have faced mounting pressures to manage their assets effectively. Early attempts to handle lab asset management internally often involved existing staff taking on additional responsibilities, but this approach has revealed significant drawbacks, prompting many laboratories to reassess their strategies.

The Struggles of Staff Bandwidth in Lab Asset Management

Initially, laboratories assigned scientists, lab managers , facilities managers , and lab operations personnel to manage the growing number of assets. However, this practice has proven unsustainable. The burden of tracking and maintaining a large laboratory inventory can overwhelm staff, straining their bandwidth and expertise.

Effective asset management requires in-depth knowledge of each asset's operational intricacies, including service requirements, utilization, and redundancy. Personnel must possess negotiating skills and organizational tools to monitor and maintain inventories while also managing unanticipated repairs and periodic maintenance under tight deadlines and fluctuating budgets.

Adapting to Constant Change in Laboratory Operations

Laboratories frequently experience expansions or contractions, leading to construction schedules that disrupt maintenance and qualification activities. Additionally, warranty expirations and budget constraints complicate asset management, requiring staff to maintain high standards amidst evolving business and scientific demands.

This constant flux can hinder lab operations staff, who may struggle to balance asset management responsibilities with their primary tasks. As they transition to managing assets, their effectiveness may decline due to limited capacity, inadequate skill sets, and the financial burden of hiring additional personnel.

The Economic Impact of Inefficiency in Lab Asset Management

Diverting staff from their primary responsibilities to manage assets incurs significant costs. While employees excel in their main roles, asset management requires specialized skills that many lack, leading to inefficiencies and increased financial burdens.

Inadequate asset lab management can compromise core functions, resulting in decreased morale and reduced operational efficiency. To achieve excellence, laboratories must implement effective management strategies that enhance productivity and minimize disruptions.

The Case for Outsourced Lab Asset Management Solutions

To address these challenges, many laboratories are turning to outsourced asset management solutions . Partnering with specialized providers can relieve the burden on existing staff, allowing them to focus on core functions while experts manage asset-related tasks.

Outsourced services offer laboratories the necessary tools and resources to track and maintain assets effectively, ensuring morale and operational effectiveness remain intact. This approach enables personnel to concentrate on their primary responsibilities, boosting productivity and fostering a positive work environment.

Prioritizing Strategic Lab Asset Management

In-house asset management poses numerous challenges for modern laboratories, including overwhelmed staff, strained expertise, and economic inefficiencies. As laboratory demands evolve, recognizing the limitations of internal asset management is crucial. Outsourcing can enhance operational efficiency, optimize resource allocation, and cultivate a culture of innovation. By prioritizing strategic asset management, laboratories can navigate complexities and focus on scientific advancement.

For more information on how outsourcing lab asset management can help your organization, contact Overbrook Support Services today.

Reasons to have a Managed Maintenance and Laboratory Relocation Specialist

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:34:40 GMT

In today's fast-paced laboratory environments, companies face immense pressure to maintain optimal functionality while ensuring seamless relocations. Managed lab asset maintenance and laboratory relocations are intricate tasks that demand specialized knowledge, precise planning, and extensive experience. Unfortunately, many companies attempt to undertake these complex projects internally, only to encounter costly pitfalls. Experts like Overbrook Scientific can mitigate the common mistakes companies make when trying to manage these projects in-house, often because "they don't know what they don't know."

The Complexity of Managed Maintenance for Labs

Managed lab maintenance is not just about keeping equipment running; it's about strategic asset management that aligns with the company's critical workflows and long-term goals. Here are some common mistakes companies make and how they could be avoided with the help of specialists:

Internal Asset Management:

Companies often need a proper usage analysis to sign service contracts with vendors. This need leads to the purchasing of unnecessary services for redundant equipment and inadequate coverage for mission-critical instruments.

Result: Overspending on some services while underspending on others, leading to reduced productivity and increased overall costs.

Surface Cost Focus:

Engaging asset management companies based on cost reduction assumptions, such as deploying their engineers instead of original equipment manufacturers (OEM) specialists.

Result: Lack of access to essential parts, insufficient training on newer assets, and delayed software updates, resulting in increased downtime and operational inefficiencies.

Internal Asset Management:

Internal lab operations take on asset management to cut costs but underestimate the complexity and necessary expertise.

Result: Higher costs, lower productivity, overburdened scientists and operations personnel, and general frustration due to mismanaged assets.

The Pitfalls of Laboratory Relocations

Laboratory relocations are complex, involving logistical, structural, and compliance considerations. Here are some frequent oversights and their consequences:

Freight Elevator Capacity:

Equipment intended for the third floor of a new building design under construction doesn't fit in the freight elevator.

Result: Expensive redesign of the freight elevator, causing delays and additional costs.

Weight Load Miscalculations:

Instrumentation weighing thousands of pounds cannot be placed according to workflow requirements due to the floor weight tolerance unable to support the weight.

Result: Suboptimal placement of equipment, negatively impacting workflow and productivity.

IT and Compliance Oversights:

IT departments are not consulted early enough to address CFR Part 21 compliance issues with new instrumentation and internal data compliance protocols.

Result: Unplanned purchases of additional software, budget overruns, and delays in launching the laboratory.

Improper Bench Specifications:

Laboratory benches were improperly specified without considering clearance for gas plumbing and maintenance access.

Result: Costly bench replacements, reduced workspace efficiency, and increased expenditures.

The "You Don't Know What You Don't Know" Dilemma

A significant reason why companies falter in manage maintenance for labs and lab relocations internally is because "they don't know what they don't know." The lack of awareness about potential pitfalls leads to unforeseen challenges and skyrocketing costs. Here are a few real-world examples of the impact:

Service Contracts Without Proper Analysis: Companies often commit to service contracts without understanding their actual needs, resulting in either redundant services or inadequate coverage.

Underestimating Asset Management Complexity: Internal teams taking on asset management without the necessary expertise find themselves overwhelmed, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.

Why Choose Overbrook for the management of your assets throughout your lifecycle?

Overbrook Support Services specializes in managing the complexities of laboratory maintenance and relocations. Our team possesses the expertise to foresee and mitigate potential issues, ensuring seamless transitions and optimal operational efficiency. Here's why partnering with Overbrook can save you time, money, and headaches:

Comprehensive Analysis: We conduct thorough usage and workflow assessments to tailor service contracts that meet your specific needs.

Expert Asset Management: Our specialists focus on cost reduction and efficiency instead of surface cost assumptions, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Strategic Planning: We handle all aspects of laboratory relocations, from logistical planning to compliance and structural assessments, ensuring smooth transitions without costly surprises.

Specialists best handle the complexities of managed maintenance and laboratory relocations. Companies that try to save money by focusing on surface cost assumptions when managing these projects internally often end up paying double or triple the initial investment due to unforeseen issues and inefficiencies. Overbrook Support's expertise ensures that your program and projects are executed flawlessly, saving you time, money, and stress. Trust the experts to handle your laboratory needs and focus on what you do best—advancing your science.

For more information on how Overbrook Support can assist with your managed maintenance program and laboratory relocation projects, contact us today.

Time is Money: Outsourcing Lab Relocations Maximizes Efficiency and Minimizes Downtime

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:34:37 GMT

A laboratory relocation is an intricate and difficult task that requires careful preparation, exact execution, and special knowledge. The procedure can cause major delays in project timetables, disruptions to essential research, and huge costs, whether it is extending operations to a different state or moving to a new location across town. Due to these factors, a growing number of laboratories are using expert lab relocation services . Relocating a lab should be outsourced in order to optimize productivity and reduce downtime, resulting in a seamless transfer with minimal effect on continuing business activities.

Laboratory Relocation Expertise and Experience

Expert lab relocation firms possess the specific expertise and experience required to manage the particular difficulties involved in transferring a lab. This involves being aware of the particular regulations that apply to the transportation of hazardous items, delicate samples, and sensitive equipment. Because of their experience, there is a lower chance of damage or loss because every part of the move is meticulously planned and carried out. Outsourcing businesses create comprehensive migration strategies customized to your lab's unique requirements. They carry out in-depth evaluations of the existing and future locations, spotting possible problems and formulating plans to solve them. This degree of preparation guarantees a smooth and successful relocation.

Safety and Compliance During a Lab Relocation

Hazardous materials and delicate equipment must be transported during lab relocations, so industry norms and safety laws must be strictly followed. Expert movers guarantee compliance at every stage of the transfer as they are knowledgeable about these rules. By doing this, you shield not just your employees but also yourself from fines and other consequences. By hiring a third party to handle your lab transfer, you lower the possibility of mishaps, injuries, and costly equipment damage. To ensure that fragile and dangerous products are handled and transported securely and arrive at their new site undamaged and ready for use, professional movers employ specific equipment and techniques.

Gain Efficiency and Reduce Downtime During a Laboratory Relocation

When moving a lab, timing is everything. Expert laboratory relocation companies are adept at handling strict deadlines, guaranteeing the transfer is finished as soon as feasible. They minimize interruptions to your business by organizing every part of the transfer, from labeling and packing to transportation and setup. You can concentrate your efforts on your main business instead of the move's logistics by outsourcing your lab relocation. With little disruption, your employees may carry on with their work, preserving output and guaranteeing the timely completion of significant research projects.

Cost Savings With a Lab Relocation Specialist

Equipment replacement or repair might come at a hefty price. Expert lab movers minimize the risk of damage and related expenses by protecting your equipment during travel with specialist packing supplies and methods. Significant cost savings can result from the professional movers' efficiency and speed of operation. Minimizing downtime allows your lab to get back to regular sooner, which lessens the cost impact of the transfer.

Stress Reduction During a Laboratory Relocation

Although moving a lab can be stressful, outsourcing the process can ease your mind. Expert movers take care of all the details, freeing you up to concentrate on your work rather than worrying about how the relocation will be organized. Throughout the process, trustworthy lab relocation services keep channels of communication open. A seamless and stress-free transfer is ensured by providing you with frequent information on the status of the move and quickly resolving any issues that may arise.

Outsourcing lab relocations is a strategic decision that maximizes efficiency and minimizes downtime. By leveraging the expertise, experience, and specialized resources of professional movers, you can ensure a smooth and successful transition to your new location. The benefits of outsourcing extend beyond the move itself, allowing your team to maintain productivity and focus on what they do best—advancing scientific research and innovation. The experts at Overbrook Support Services are here to execute your next laboratory relocation.

The Benefits of Expert Laboratory Relocation Project Management

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:34:34 GMT

A laboratory's relocation is a complicated process with many logistical factors to consider. Relocation management is one of the most important parts of any transition. Because of damage, loss, or inefficiencies, mismanagement can result in significant financial losses. Relocating with expertise in asset management is essential to minimize inventory loss and optimize financial gains.

Understanding Lab Asset Management

The first step in professional lab asset management is monitoring a thorough inventory of every asset that needs to be transported. This entails recording the location and umbilical requirements of each asset. Thorough tracking ensures everything is noticed and offers a transparent migration process roadmap. Different handling strategies are needed for other assets. Skilled lab relocation managers are aware of the particular needs of various instrumentation, which is essential to the proper relocation of the equipment.

Financial Benefits of Expert Laboratory Asset Management

Careful handling and packing procedures reduce the possibility of valuable and expensive objects being damaged. Expert movers are skilled in handling priceless and delicate items with asset iteration, which lowers the chance of breakage. Sophisticated asset management incorporates robust security protocols to guard inventory from loss or theft while in transit. This is crucial for companies that handle sensitive data or high-value products.

Long-Term Benefits of Outsourcing a Lab Relocation

Collaborating with expert laboratory asset managers can strengthen your company's relocation project. By integrating the comprehensive inventory and tracking systems you employed throughout the relocation, you can continue to profit from them. You can also ensure that your assets are used effectively by keeping accurate records and managing them well. In the long run, this may result in lower waste, improved resource usage, and cost savings.

Choosing the Right Lab Relocation Project Manager

Seek a moving service company with a wealth of asset management expertise. Verify their experience and customer feedback to be sure they know what is necessary to meet your particular needs. Select a partner who provides all-inclusive asset management services, such as safe transportation, specialist handling, and inventory tracking. This guarantees that every facet of your lab relocation is addressed and efficiently overseen. Every company is different, and so are their asset management requirements. Choose a service provider that can create solutions specifically suited to the needs of your company. By doing this, you can be confident that you're getting the best service and return on your money.

Minimizing inventory loss during a business relocation is essential for protecting your investments and ensuring a smooth transition.

Expert laboratory relocation management provides numerous financial benefits, from reducing damage and loss to enhancing efficiency and operational continuity. By partnering with a professional relocation project manager, you can safeguard your assets, minimize downtime, and maximize the financial benefits of your move. Overbrook Support Services is here to ensure that your laboratory's assets are safely relocated and that your next relocation is a smooth one.

Ensuring Success in Lab Design and Relocation: Key Strategies and Common Pitfalls

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 18:34:30 GMT

With laboratory relocation project management , the intricacies of proper lab design, fit planning, and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) alignment are crucial for successful operations. Whether building a new lab or relocating an existing one, overlooking these elements can lead to significant disruptions.

MEP Plan Alignment Oversight

One of the most frequent oversights in lab relocations is the failure to verify landing site requirements thoroughly. Plans might seem flawless on paper, but practical flaws often emerge during execution.

Example : Issues such as mislabeled gas lines, fittings incompatible with the intended instrumentation, and mismatched replacement receptacles can severely impact the relocation timeline. These missteps necessitate remediation before the site can be occupied, delaying the entire process.

Solution : Conducting engineering walkthrough audits at both the launch and landing sites is critical. These audits ensure that equipment slated for relocation has sufficient clearances for doorways, elevators, and loading docks. The landing site walkthrough should confirm readiness, verifying that gas fittings, electrical connections, and mechanical accommodations are appropriate for the equipment being relocated.

Inadequate Advance Planning for a Laboratory Relocation

Another common issue is the underestimation of the time required for a lab relocation . Often, initial time projections and expectations are overly optimistic, leading to reassessments and delays.

Example : Lab directors may discover inaccuracies in their asset survey, which delays the architectural designs and MEP drawings, subsequently postponing construction and causing a cascading effect on deliverables.

Solution : Hire a Laboratory Relocation specialist with both lab relocation expertise and instrumentation engineering knowledge from the outset. Such a partner understands the complexities of the moving process, the lab's workflow, assets, and operations, ensuring a realistic timeline and smooth transition.

Maintaining Lab Functionality During Relocation

Labs need to continue functioning during a move, a task akin to changing the wheels of a moving car. Failure to plan for uninterrupted operations can lead to significant disruptions.

Example : Labs that rely on internal staff for their relocation require someone with expertise and experience with movers, vendors, certificate of occupancy requirements, and environmental health and safety issues. Additionally, an owner's project manager (OPM), despite being well-versed in project planning, might lack the technical understanding of lab instrumentation and support requirements crucial for successful relocation.

Solution : Again, the importance of partnering with a relocation expert with deep instrumentation engineering expertise cannot be overstated. This partnership ensures that all technical aspects are covered and the lab can maintain functionality throughout the move.

Additional Challenges and Solutions of Laboratory Design and Relocation

Beyond MEP alignment and planning, several other issues can compromise lab design and relocation efforts:

Misalignment of Business and Science Plans: Ensure that business objectives and scientific needs are harmoniously integrated into the lab design.
Improper Budgeting: Accurate budgeting is crucial. Engage financial experts to ensure all aspects, including contingency funds, are accounted for.
Lack of Proper Communication: Establish clear communication channels among all stakeholders to avoid misunderstandings and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Lab Relocation Services are complex endeavors that require meticulous planning, expertise, and coordination. By addressing common pitfalls such as instrumentation MEP plan alignment oversight, inadequate planning, and the challenge of maintaining functionality during relocation, labs can achieve smooth transitions and efficient operations. Engaging experienced partners, like Overbrook Support Services , can offer the necessary technical and logistical expertise needed to navigate these challenges successfully.

Mitigating Risks in Laboratory Relocations: A Comprehensive Guide

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:15:00 GMT

Moving a laboratory is a complex process requiring early preparation and systematic execution to ensure minimal operational disruption and minimized risks. Overbrook Support Services understands that a holistic strategy incorporating rigorous risk assessment, contingency planning, and adaptable techniques to manage unforeseen challenges is essential for successful laboratory relocations .

Let's explore the critical risk mitigation elements during laboratory relocations, emphasizing the value of contingency planning, customizing relocation strategies, and recognizing potential hazards.

Relocation Project Initiation Phase

Relocating a laboratory begins with the project initiation phase, during which the idea of moving becomes a detailed plan. The relocation project manager manages the site with the design and construction team. This step is essential for laying the foundation for the other phases of the relocation process.

The Role of Proper Project Planning for Lab Relocations

Contingency planning is the cornerstone of risk mitigation during a laboratory relocation. Organizations can overcome unforeseen events without derailing the relocation process by anticipating potential obstacles and creating backup plans of action. A well-designed lab relocation project plan offers a safety net in case of unexpected delays, equipment failures, or resource shortages.

Proper organization of a Laboratory Relocation

The secret to a successful laboratory move is proper preplanning. A relocation strategy should be well organized to consider variables and changing conditions, as many variables are involved. Anticipating that there will be unforeseen challenges, including revised architectural and mechanical plans, different utility requirements, or unanticipated logistical challenges during the project, can minimize disruptions to the overall project plan to help keep the relocation on schedule.

Lab Test Fits and Fit-out for a Laboratory Relocation

The relocation process in a laboratory's expansion phase involves proper test fitting and fitting out of the lab by procuring additional instrumentation. Aside from the appropriate selection of instrumentation in alignment with the workflow requirements and working within the budget allowed, the negotiation of pricing, logistics of obtaining manufacturer's quotations, and delivery and installation scheduling and monitoring are critical parts of a laboratory fit-out.

The Cost of Disorganization During a Lab Relocation

Disorganized moves can result in significant losses. Consequences could include decreased output, lost income, fewer clients, and a tarnished reputation. Therefore, careful preparation and execution are essential. Given the importance of these factors, Overbrook Support provides thorough relocation project management, ensuring site readiness is a crucial component of a well-planned laboratory transfer.

Moving a laboratory requires careful preparation, careful execution, and flexible strategies. Essential elements include contingency planning, flexibility in response to changing conditions, and bench-level expertise. Overbrook Scientific is committed to assisting in smooth laboratory relocations , reducing risks, and maintaining business continuity during this crucial moment.

The Future of Laboratory Asset Procurement Services

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 18:57:00 GMT

Lab asset procurement services continue to change as industry and technology progress. Several new developments and trends in laboratory asset procurement are changing how businesses buy and maintain their tools and resources. This is a look at how asset procurement services will develop in the future and how businesses can stay on the cutting edge.

Digital Transformation for Lab Asset Management

The move to digital platforms and solutions is one of the most significant developments in asset procurement. Businesses often use digital tools and software platforms to automate tedious activities, improve the procurement process, and obtain real-time asset inventory information. Digital transformation, from online markets to procurement software packages, is completely transforming the way laboratories acquire and manage their assets.

Data-Driven Decision-Making for Laboratory Asset Procurement

Organizations are using data analytics to make educated procurement decisions in the era of big data. Laboratories can improve their procurement strategy , negotiate better contracts, and find cost-saving opportunities by evaluating past procurement data, market trends, and vendor performance indicators. Effective asset procurement methods are increasingly dependent on data-driven decision-making.

Supply Chain Resilience for Lab Asset Procurement

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the significance of supply chain resilience and continuity planning. To reduce the risks of supply chain interruptions, shortages, and geopolitical unpredictability, laboratories are reassessing their approaches. This entails expanding supplier networks, implementing inventory optimization strategies, and using technology to track and analyze supply chain activities in real-time.

To stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly changing asset procurement services market, organizations must emphasize sustainability, embrace digital transformation, use data-driven insights, build strong supplier relationships, and strengthen supply chain resilience. The experts at Overbrook are here to help with your laboratory’s asset procurement needs.

Surface, Hidden, and Unplanned Costs: The Challenges of Proper Asset Management A Lab Manager Webinar

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 15:38:42 GMT

An efficient and cost-effective asset management program is crucial for sustaining operational efficiencies, mitigating risk and for start-ups, accelerating drugs to market. As these laboratories expand and their operations become increasingly complex, the challenge to sustain productivity grows. Effective lab asset management is critical, especially when laboratories evolve beyond their initial growth phases.

Laboratory decision-makers often face the daunting task of making crucial decisions amidst the daily pressures of laboratory operations. Without sufficient experience or a clear view of the future, these decisions can lead to temporary fixes with unforeseen long-term complications. These complications often introduce hidden and unplanned costs that can significantly undermine the laboratory's scientific objectives and financial health.

The upcoming webinar , " Surface, Hidden, and Unplanned Costs: The Challenges of Proper Asset Management Risk Assessment and Budgeting ," is designed to address these critical issues head-on. It will provide valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of laboratory asset management, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and managing all types of costs—visible, hidden, and unexpected.

Featured Speakers:

Ted Palashis , President and Founder of Overbrook Support Services brings extensive expertise in laboratory asset management.
Emily Kirkham, B.Sc . , PChem, President of National Laboratory Services Inc., offers her experiences in laboratory service and management.
Jonathan Eisenberg , Associate Principal at Arup, contributes strategic insights into the laboratory MEP ecosystem.
Gregg York , Associate Director of Lab and Facility Operations at Photys Therapeutics, adds practical experience managing lab operations.

This panel of experts will delve into the critical aspects of managing laboratory assets , focusing on identifying and controlling all potential costs. The webinar aims to equip laboratory managers and decision-makers with the knowledge to make more informed choices, helping to avoid long-term negative impacts on their operations.

This event is an invaluable opportunity for those involved in laboratory management and operations to learn strategies for effective cost management, ensuring the ongoing success and sustainability of the laboratory and its scientific mission.

Ensuring Effective Asset Procurement for New Laboratory Build-Outs

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 18:00:00 GMT

Establishing a new laboratory is a complex endeavor that demands meticulous planning and execution at every stage. Asset procurement is a critical component of this process, which involves acquiring the necessary equipment, supplies, and furnishings to outfit the lab. Procurement in new laboratory build-outs plays an indispensable role with several key factors to consider.

The Critical Role of Procurement in Establishing a New Laboratory

A new laboratory's ability to operate successfully depends heavily on asset procurement. Every facet of laboratory operations, from furniture and consumables to research equipment and instruments, relies on the prompt and effective acquisition of resources. Efficient procurement guarantees that the laboratory has the tools and materials to facilitate research endeavors, uphold legal observance, and cultivate a constructive work environment.

Factors to Consider in Proper Budgeting and Outfitting of the Lab

Proper budgeting is crucial to acquiring assets for new laboratory build-outs successfully. Managers and administrators of laboratories must carefully evaluate the unique demands and specifications of the lab, accounting for variables including research goals, expected workload, available space, and regulatory obligations. Organizations can guarantee that the lab is suitably equipped to achieve its goals by creating a thorough budget that sets aside money for equipment purchase, installation, maintenance, and continuing operating costs.

Achieving Success in Asset Procurement for New Laboratory Construction

Achieving success in asset procurement for new laboratory build-outs requires a strategic and systematic approach. Here are some key strategies to consider:

Conduct Needs Assessment: Conduct a thorough needs assessment to identify the equipment, supplies, and furnishings required to support laboratory activities effectively.
Establish Procurement Guidelines: Develop clear procurement guidelines and procedures that outline roles and responsibilities, procurement methods, vendor selection criteria, and budgetary constraints.
Research Suppliers: Research reputable suppliers and manufacturers of laboratory equipment and supplies, seeking out vendors with a track record of quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
Seek Competitive Bids: Solicit competitive bids from multiple vendors to ensure favorable pricing and terms. Negotiate contracts and agreements to secure the best value for your procurement budget.
Prioritize Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to relevant regulatory standards, quality assurance protocols, and institutional policies to mitigate compliance risks.
Monitor and Evaluate: Implement systems for monitoring and evaluating procurement processes, tracking delivery timelines, assessing vendor performance, and identifying areas for improvement.

Effective asset procurement is a cornerstone of successful new laboratory build-outs, enabling organizations to equip their facilities with the necessary tools and resources to support research and innovation. The experts at Overbrook are experienced with lab asset procurement in every stage of a laboratory's lifecycle.

Maximizing Laboratory Efficiency Through Successful Asset Procurement

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 01:23:03 GMT

Efficient lab asset procurement is essential for maintaining productivity, advancing research, and ensuring regulatory compliance in laboratory operations. Laboratory managers and administrators must navigate complex procurement processes to acquire the equipment, instruments, and supplies necessary for scientific endeavors.

How Asset Procurement Professionals Enhance Performance and Efficiency

Asset procurement professionals leverage their expertise to streamline procurement processes, from needs assessment and vendor selection to contract negotiation and order fulfillment. By optimizing workflows and eliminating inefficiencies, they ensure the timely acquisition of critical assets, minimizing downtime and maximizing laboratory productivity. These specialists engage in strategic planning to align procurement activities with organizational goals and objectives. They assess laboratory needs, prioritize procurement initiatives, and develop comprehensive procurement strategies that optimize resource allocation and support long-term sustainability.

Successful asset procurement also requires effective vendor management. Procurement experts use their contacts and industry expertise to find reliable suppliers, work out advantageous terms, and form strategic alliances that increase the value and efficiency of procurement. Finally, asset procurement specialists are well-versed in the legal and quality standards of supplies and equipment used in laboratories. By ensuring that all procurement activities follow pertinent laws, licenses, and accreditation requirements, they reduce the risk of non-compliance and protect laboratory operations.

Showcasing the Value of Expertise in Laboratory Asset Procurement

By leveraging their market insights and negotiating skills, asset procurement professionals secure competitive pricing, discounts, and incentives that result in cost savings for laboratory organizations. Their ability to optimize lab asset procurement budgets and identify cost-effective solutions maximizes the return on investment in laboratory assets. Expertise in laboratory asset procurement enables professionals to identify and mitigate risks associated with vendor selection, product quality, and supply chain disruptions. Through diligent vendor due diligence and contract management practices, they minimize procurement-related risks and ensure the continuity of laboratory operations.

Procurement professionals prioritize quality assurance in asset procurement, ensuring that laboratory equipment and supplies meet stringent performance, reliability, and safety standards. Their rigorous vendor evaluation processes and product testing protocols uphold the integrity and reputation of laboratory organizations.

Lab asset procurement professionals play a pivotal role in enhancing performance and efficiency through streamlined processes, strategic planning, vendor management, and regulatory compliance. The expert team at Overbrook is here to help with all of your laboratory service needs from asset procurement to relocation and beyond.

Collaborating with a Lab Relocation Management Company

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 17:30:00 GMT

Relocating a laboratory is a complicated project that needs careful preparation, knowledge, and cooperation to be successful. Relocating a lab can be made much less risky and more efficient by working with lab management businesses; this will help laboratories get through the move smoothly. The benefits of working with lab management companies for successful relocations will be discussed in this article, along with the significance of reducing relocation risks, the value of using knowledge for backup plans, and the advantages of having trained relocation managers.

Partnering with Lab Management Companies to Mitigate Relocation Risks

A laboratory relocation comes with several challenges, such as data loss, equipment damage, and operational disruptions. By utilizing their skills and experience, lab management businesses work with laboratories to help reduce these risks. To ensure that there is as little disruption to laboratory operations as possible during the relocation process, lab management companies can carry out comprehensive risk assessments, create mitigation strategies, and put safeguards in place to protect equipment, data, and important assets. These efforts are often part of a broader suite of lab relocation services that ensure a safer, more structured move.

Leveraging Expertise for Effective Lab Relocation Contingency Planning and Decision-Making

The experience that lab relocation managers provide helps laboratories make well-informed decisions and create efficient backup plans. Through the relocation process, lab management specialists offer invaluable insights ranging from recognizing potential issues to suggesting solutions. Laboratories can anticipate problems and take proactive measures to overcome them by drawing on their knowledge and experience, which can ensure a smooth transfer to the new location.

The Benefits of Qualified Relocation Managers in Lab Relocations

Having qualified relocation managers in place is a vital part of a lab move. From planning and logistics to execution and post-relocation support, lab relocation managers supervise each aspect of the move, making sure that everything is done effectively and on schedule. Their knowledge reduces risks, increases productivity, and improves the laboratory relocation process as a whole.

Collaborating with lab management companies can be instrumental in a successful laboratory relocation. The expert team of engineers and project managers at Overbrook have the experience and resources to help make your next laboratory relocation a smooth one.

Driving Laboratory Excellence: Maximizing Lab Asset Procurement Execution

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 20:46:37 GMT

Optimal resource utilization and smooth laboratory operations depend on organizational excellence, which can be achieved through leveraging the knowledge of well-managed procurement processes or coordinating lab asset purchases with project planning. The importance of aligning project goals with lab asset procurement , the need for well-managed procurement execution, and the role that organizational and lab asset purchasing expertise cannot be overstated.

The Importance of Aligning Lab Asset Procurement with the Project Plan

Aligning procurement operations with laboratory objectives and project schedules requires coordinating lab asset procurement with the project strategy. Laboratories can guarantee that assets are purchased on time to support project milestones, reduce delays, and streamline procurement processes by incorporating the requirements for lab asset procurement early in the project plan. This proactive strategy lowers expenses, increases laboratory efficiency, and lessens the possibility of inconsistencies.

Ensuring Well-Managed and Executed Lab Equipment Procurement with Expertise

Proficient acquisition of laboratory equipment necessitates knowledge in several areas, such as vendor management, technical assessment, and regulatory compliance. To negotiate terms, assess equipment specifications, and deal with complicated procurement processes, laboratories need to make use of the expertise and abilities of procurement professionals. Laboratories can reduce procurement risks, maximize procurement strategies, and save costs by utilizing supplier relationship management and strategic sourcing by leveraging their experience.

The Impact of Organizational and Lab Asset Purchasing Expertise in Procurement

Achieving laboratory goals and promoting asset procurement excellence requires organizational and lab asset purchasing knowledge. A skilled procurement team with the requisite knowledge can determine lab equipment needs, evaluate vendor capabilities, and use best practices to streamline these procedures. Laboratories can create a competitive advantage in the scientific community, improve their procurement capabilities, and stimulate innovation by investing in training initiatives and cultivating a culture of continuous improvement.

To ensure laboratory success and maximize lab asset procurement execution, organizational excellence is essential. The experts at Overbrook are here to help with all of your organization’s equipment and asset procurement needs.

The Crucial Role of Qualified Relocation Managers in Laboratory Transitions

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 20:52:16 GMT

A skilled relocation manager is the strategic mind behind every successful laboratory move, coordinating the complex balance of workers, equipment, and data. Choosing a trained relocation manager, comprehending the intricacy of lab relocations, and executing a successful lab relocation for not only your lab and assets but also your science is a critical decision.

The Critical Decision of Designating a Qualified Lab Relocation Manager

Selecting a qualified relocation manager will have an impact on the overall success of your laboratory relocation. These managers have experience in coordination, logistics, and project management. Their job is to make sure everything goes smoothly, reduce downtime, minimize hazards, and protect sensitive equipment and priceless data.

Understanding the Complexity of Lab Relocations and the Need for Expert Management

Relocating a laboratory is often challenging as it frequently requires moving delicate equipment, complicated experiments, and important research data. Professional relocation managers are aware of these difficulties. Their specialty is creating detailed schedules, overseeing deadlines, and strategically handling unforeseen lab relocation challenges to reduce interruption and preserve the ongoing progress of scientific projects.

Precision in Lab Instrument Relocation

Critical equipment needs to be moved carefully and safely by a trained relocation manager, maintaining the accuracy and functionality required for further research. A seamless transition is required, along with careful planning and cooperation with other moving services.

Data Integrity Preservation During Your Laboratory Relocation

Lab relocation managers focus on a smooth transfer of research data first and put safe data migration procedures and backups in place. They are proactive in resolving data security issues, which ensures that important research material can be preserved and readily available after the move.

Minimizing Downtime in Laboratory Operations During a Relocation

An expert relocation manager will meticulously strategize the transfer to reduce any disruptions to your laboratory’s functions. With careful planning, effective equipment disassembly and reassembly, and efficient logistics, your lab can be quickly operational at its new site with the least amount of disturbance.

The key to a successful relocation is leveraging the experience and expertise of a qualified lab relocation company. Overbrook specializes in laboratory relocation and management for labs of all sizes and scopes.

Lab Relocations: Mastering the Juggling Act

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 17:53:05 GMT

Managing a lab is like keeping a bunch of balls in the air. Every day, you've got a lot to handle, from meeting client needs to following rules and getting things done quickly. But when it's time to move your lab, it's like adding a tricky, extra ball to your juggling act. Managing your lab relocation is where Overbrook steps in to lend a hand.

Managing the Complexities of a Lab Relocation

Lab moves usually need to happen within a specific timeframe, and having a good plan for a lab relocation is critical to avoid costly slip-ups. Imagine each part of your lab relocation as a ball in your juggling routine. Adding the complex task of moving your lab to your daily juggling act can make keeping all balls in the air challenging. A tiny mistake can throw off your whole routine, just like a sudden move can disrupt your well-practiced juggling act.

Experience Matters in a Lab Relocation

Getting back to your work without dropping any balls means moving your lab both on time and within budget , without any surprise interruptions. Lab moves are a big challenge, and handling every detail alone can be too much. Each move has hurdles, but Overbrook's team is skilled at handling them. Our team has experience with all lab moves and has learned how to tackle each challenge. We know the importance of having a skilled lab relocation team that follows a well-thought-out plan to keep all the balls in the air smoothly.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Next Lab Relocation

Choosing Overbrook to manage your lab relocation means you have a clear plan, covering every detail from your current spot to your new location. Our team keeps your specific needs in mind and coordinates everything while you focus on your daily tasks. We ensure all your lab equipment is moved safely and set up properly at the new place. With Overbrook, you can breathe easy, knowing that we have all aspects of your move covered. Your lab equipment, instruments, and samples will be moved carefully and on time, whether it's moving across the hall or over several states. Partnering with Overbrook lets you focus on your crucial lab work while we handle the juggling act of your lab relocation.

The Value of Laboratory Asset Procurement Specialists

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:37:19 GMT

Laboratory asset procurement professionals play a pivotal role as being instrumental in driving development by securing crucial equipment. These experts highlight their skills in financial help, skilled market research, logistical knowledge, and making sure assets are appropriate but dependable, economical, and well-maintained.

Expert Market Research for Laboratory Assets

Experts in laboratory asset procurement do a lot of research to keep up with the most recent developments in technology, market trends, and vendors. Their experience enables laboratory management to make well-informed decisions by utilizing their industry knowledge. This ensures that the acquired assets support cutting-edge discoveries and are in line with the organization's objectives.

Lab Asset Budget Assistance

It can be difficult to navigate the procurement market, particularly when there are financial restrictions. Lab asset procurement specialists in the purchase of instrumentation serve as financial consultants, helping with budget planning and allocation.

Logistical Expertise in Lab Asset Procurement

Acquiring laboratory assets involves complex and varied logistics. Experts in laboratory asset procurement prioritize their logistical knowledge, which streamlines the entire order placement and delivery process. This includes working with suppliers, overseeing deadlines, and resolving unforeseen challenges that arise throughout the procurement process.

Ensuring Lab Assets are Reliable, Cost-Effective, and Well-Maintained

Experts in laboratory asset procurement do more than just buy equipment; they make sure every asset satisfies strict requirements. Their decision-making approach prioritizes suitability, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and maintenance factors. Through comprehensive evaluations and vendor partnerships, these experts ensure that the purchased instruments meet the unique requirements of the lab and support scientific objectives.

The expert team of project managers and asset procurement specialists at Overbrook are here to help your organization.

The Mechanics of Movement: Comparing Lab Relocations to Watch Engineering

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:41:09 GMT

The intricacies involved in the complex world of laboratory relocation resemble the inner workings of a finely tuned watch. Much like every action item in the relocation plan, each component in the watch's mechanism plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth and timely functioning of the whole system. This blog will explore how a lab relocation plan mirrors the delicate balance and precise coordination required in a watch's operation.

The Synchronization of Planning and Action in Lab Relocations

Just as the gears and springs in a watch work in harmony, the various stages of a lab relocation – from the preliminary planning to the actual move – need to be meticulously coordinated. Every decision and action taken in the pre-move phase is interconnected, driving the entire relocation process forward. This interplay exposes the accountability of each team member, underscoring the importance of clear roles and responsibilities.

The Risk of Disruption in Lab Relocations

A single misstep in a lab relocation, akin to a speck of dust in a watch's mechanism, can cause significant delays or even halt the process entirely. The precise timing of each action item is critical; a delay in one area can have a cascading effect, disrupting the entire relocation schedule. Lab relocations need precise timing and must happen within strict deadlines. Careful synchronization is essential to prevent any shutdowns in operations.

The Importance of Expertise in a Lab Relocation Project

Successfully relocating a lab on schedule, within budget, and with little disruption requires expert skills similar to the precision needed in the engineering of a watch. Using their field experience, lab relocation specialists meticulously manage every move detail, from initial planning to post-move services, to ensure everything is completed with care and accuracy.

Underestimating the Complexity of a Lab Relocation

Many businesses don't realize how complex lab relocations are, much like the intricate engineering and operation of a watch. It's more than just moving equipment; it involves detailed planning, knowledge of lab operations, and focus on details, similar to how each small part of a watch contributes to its overall function. Essential services, including contract maintenance , instrument qualifications , and proper documentation, are necessary for a successful move, just as each component in a watch is vital for its accurate timekeeping.

A Comprehensive Approach to Relocating a Lab

Just as precise engineering is essential for a watch's operation, a successful lab relocation requires careful planning and coordination. Managing communications, understanding lab operations, scheduling carefully, and budgeting effectively are all crucial, similar to how every part of a watch must work together for accurate timekeeping. Ensuring a smooth lab move involves attention to every detail, like ensuring the smooth functioning of every gear and spring in a watch.

The Execution Phase in a Lab Relocation

The execution phase of a lab relocation is like the final assembly stage of a watch. Here, the plan springs into action. It starts with a complete equipment inventory, categorizing and identifying each item. Then, the physical move is managed. On-site supervision and a detailed checklist are vital to ensure every item is accounted for and installed in the new location. This measure is similar to how a watchmaker confirms each watch component is precisely placed for optimal function.

The execution phase of a lab relocation is similar to the final assembly of a watch. In this phase, the plan becomes active. It involves taking an entire equipment inventory, organizing and labeling each piece, and overseeing the actual move. Having a thorough checklist and someone on-site to supervise is essential to ensure that every item is accounted for and set up correctly in the new location, just as a watchmaker carefully assembles each part of a watch for it to function smoothly.

Procurement Planning Integration and Phasing: Handling Laboratory Instrument Acquisition with Accuracy

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 21:30:00 GMT

Procuring laboratory instruments is a multifaceted process that requires strategic planning and attention to detail, from understanding how lab assets impact purchase, installation, and integration to prioritizing initiatives and considering vendor flexibility; the intricacies of ensuring a seamless acquisition process have never been more critical.

Understanding How Lab Assets Affect Purchase, Installation, and Integration

For smooth laboratory operations, it is essential to comprehend how purchasing, installing, and integrating lab equipment are impacted. Choosing state-of-the-art instruments is just one aspect of lab equipment procurement ; another is thoroughly understanding how these assets will integrate into the current lab infrastructure. Essential factors to consider include compatibility with existing technology, available space, and potential effects on present studies. This comprehensive understanding guarantees that the chosen lab assets are in harmony with the lab's goals, promoting a seamless integration process and optimizing the effectiveness of scientific pursuits.

Holistic Planning for Lab Instrumentation Procurement

Procuring laboratory instruments involves more than just selecting state-of-the-art equipment. It requires a holistic understanding of how these assets will integrate into the existing lab infrastructure. Considerations should include compatibility with current technologies, available space, and the impact on ongoing experiments or research projects.

Collaboration with Laboratory Stakeholders

Effective procurement planning necessitates collaboration with various stakeholders, including researchers, lab managers, and IT professionals. Understanding their requirements and potential challenges ensures that the chosen instruments align with the lab's overall objectives and can be seamlessly integrated into daily operations.

Prioritizing Initiatives and Phasing in Lab Instrumentation Procurement Planning

Strategic and effective resource management requires prioritizing projects and phasing in lab instrumentation acquisition planning . A methodical strategy for recognizing and attending to urgent demands in the ever-changing realm of laboratory operations facilitates a more efficient acquisition process. Labs may maximize their budgets, save downtime, and improve overall operational efficiency by carefully evaluating which instruments are essential for ongoing projects and which can be phased in over time. The meticulous arrangement of priorities guarantees a smoothly coordinated assimilation of novel apparatuses in perfect harmony with the lab's continuous research endeavors.

Strategic Prioritization of Instrumentation Planning

Prioritization is vital in a laboratory setting where multiple projects may be underway simultaneously. Procurement planning should involve a strategic assessment of which instruments are critical for immediate use and which can be phased in over time. This approach helps manage budgets effectively while minimizing disruptions to ongoing research activities.

Phased Implementation of Instrumentation Purchases

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, phasing in the procurement process allows for a smoother integration of new instruments. Labs can address specific needs by dividing the acquisition into manageable phases without overwhelming existing workflows. This approach ensures that each stage is executed with precision and minimal impact on daily operations.

Vendor Flexibility and Lead Times in Accommodating Project Schedules

Project schedule execution depends critically on laboratory instrument vendor lead times and flexibility. It becomes crucial to communicate with vendors effectively while purchasing instruments for a laboratory. An adaptable supplier aware of the particular project schedules and any modifications in specifications is priceless. Vendors that can work with specific project timelines guarantee that instruments are delivered on time and smoothly, meeting the operational requirements of the laboratory. Prioritizing suppliers that demonstrate flexibility and cooperative behavior can help laboratories improve the effectiveness of their procurement procedures and, in turn, the overall performance of their research projects.

Open Communication with Laboratory Vendors

Effective procurement planning requires open communication with vendors. Establishing clear expectations regarding project timelines, customization options, and delivery schedules is essential. A collaborative relationship with vendors ensures that they are aware of the lab's priorities and can adjust their processes to accommodate specific project schedules.

Assessment of Instrumentation Vendor Flexibility

When selecting vendors, flexibility is a crucial factor. A vendor's ability to adapt to the lab's timelines, project phases, and potential changes in requirements is invaluable. Prioritize suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to understanding the lab's unique needs and are willing to work collaboratively to meet those needs.

Laboratory instrument procurement is a meticulous process beyond acquiring new equipment. Integration and phasing in procurement planning are essential for ensuring a smooth transition and seamless incorporation of assets into the lab's existing infrastructure. By understanding how lab assets affect the purchase, strategically prioritizing initiatives, and fostering open communication with vendors, laboratories can precisely navigate the procurement process, ensuring that the acquisition of new instruments contributes positively to ongoing research endeavors. Overbrook has a team of engineers and project managers with the experience and expertise to help outfit your lab effectively and efficiently for continued success.

Laboratory Relocation Services: The Importance of Attention to Details in Lab Relocations

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 16:15:00 GMT

While essential for scientific progress, laboratory relocations are complex endeavors that demand meticulous planning and execution. In this blog, we delve into the significance of attention to detail in managing the intricate process of moving a laboratory. From addressing challenges and risks to ensuring precision and success, we explore how an excruciating focus on detail is paramount for a seamless transition.

Emphasizing the Significance of Attention to Detail During a Laboratory Relocation

Relocating a laboratory requires careful planning , and stressing the need to pay close attention to details is essential to a seamless transition. All the little things, like protecting expensive equipment or following safety rules, must be carefully thought out before making a move. The key to thorough preparation, risk reduction, and the smooth operation of the relocation process is paying close attention to detail. Laboratories may protect priceless assets, uphold regulatory compliance, and reduce disruptions by carefully handling the difficulties involved, ultimately contributing to the relocation project's overall success.

Lab Relocation Complexities Can Be Revealed

Laboratory relocations involve moving delicate and often irreplaceable scientific equipment, specimens, and research materials. The need for stringent compliance with safety regulations and protocols magnifies the complexity of these projects. Attention to detail is not just a luxury; it's a necessity when dealing with the multifaceted nature of lab moves.

Risk Mitigation During a Lab Relocation

A comprehensive understanding of potential risks is crucial in planning a laboratory relocation . Attention to detail enables project managers to identify, assess, and mitigate risks proactively. A meticulous approach minimizes disruptions and damage, whether it's the safe handling of hazardous materials or ensuring the integrity of sensitive equipment during transit.

Addressing Challenges through Meticulous Planning

The key to effective project management is overcoming obstacles with careful preparation. Carefully created plans offer a blueprint for navigating difficulties by exhaustively examining probable hurdles, establishing specific tactics, and considering numerous possibilities. Thorough planning spots possible problems and gives teams the insight and readiness they need to navigate obstacles successfully. Careful planning is essential for minimizing risks, guaranteeing resource utilization, and precisely accomplishing intended results in any discipline, including science and business.

Inventory Management During a Laboratory Relocation

The first step to a successful lab relocation is an exhaustive inventory. A detailed list of equipment, materials, and supplies ensures nothing is overlooked during the move. Precision in inventory management is vital for both accountability and replicating the lab's functionality in its new location.

Compliance and Regulations Experience During a Lab Relocation

Laboratories operate within a framework of strict regulations, and compliance is non-negotiable. Attention to detail in planning accounts for adherence to safety, environmental, and ethical standards. This meticulous approach safeguards the lab's reputation and ensures a smooth transition without legal complications.

How Excruciating Attention to Detail Ensures Precision and Relocation Success

Excruciating attention to detail is the linchpin for achieving precision and success in any endeavor. Every meticulous nuance matters in the pursuit of excellence, from the most minor task to the grandest strategy. This hyper-focused commitment to thoroughness ensures all facets of a project align seamlessly, minimizing errors and optimizing outcomes. By leaving no stone unturned and scrutinizing each element with precision, attention to detail becomes the driving force behind success, creating a foundation for excellence and accomplishment in every undertaking.

Customized Lab Relocation Planning

Each laboratory is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate. Attention to detail allows for customized planning tailored to the special requirements of each lab . This includes factoring in the specific needs of experiments, equipment specifications, and the delicate nature of certain materials.

Seamless Laboratory Relocation Execution

The success of a lab relocation lies in the flawless execution of the meticulously crafted plan. Attention to detail ensures that every aspect, from packing and labeling to transportation and reinstallation, is carried out precisely. This level of detail minimizes the chances of errors and accelerates the resumption of research activities in the new facility.

Laboratory relocations are high-stakes projects that demand the utmost precision and attention to detail. From navigating complex challenges to mitigating risks and ensuring compliance, meticulous planning and execution are non-negotiable. In scientific advancements, the success of a lab relocation can hinge on the commitment to detail, underscoring the importance of a thorough, comprehensive approach to every step of the process. The experts at Overbrook have the experience and resources to make your next laboratory move a successful one.

Laboratory Relocation Services: Identifying Weak Links and Establishing Accountability

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 19:15:00 GMT

Relocating a laboratory is a complicated task that calls for careful preparation, accuracy, and cooperation. To guarantee a smooth transfer, whether you're moving a small research lab or a large testing facility, it's critical to pinpoint potential risks and set responsibilities. Let’s take a closer look at the critical actions involved in assessing the accountability chain in lab relocations, proactively planning and allocating resources to mitigate weak links, and assembling a capable relocation team to ensure a successful move.

Evaluating the Chain of Accountability in Lab Relocations

A laboratory relocation has multiple stakeholders, such as equipment specialists, scientists, facility managers, and logistics experts. The first stage in making sure the transfer is effective is figuring out and assessing a chain of responsibilities.

Define Key Roles and Responsibilities During a Lab Relocation

Start by outlining each team member's specific duties and responsibilities during the lab relocation process . Project managers, scientists, equipment professionals, and logistics experts fall under this category. Setting up responsibility is made simpler when everyone is aware of their responsibilities.

Create a Laboratory Relocation Plan

Create a thorough laboratory relocation plan that details every step of the procedure from beginning to end. The tasks, deadlines, and relationships between the various moving phases should all be included in this plan. Through process visualization, bottlenecks and weak points can be found.

Identify Critical Equipment and Materials During a Lab Relocation

Determine which samples, materials, and equipment are most important and require extra care or protection when being moved. This will assist you in efficiently allocating resources and setting priorities.

Mitigating Weak Links through Proactive Lab Relocation Planning and Resource Allocation

It's time to take proactive measures to mitigate any potential weak links in your lab relocation after you've identified the major actors.

Laboratory Relocation Risk Assessment

To find potential problems and weak points in the relocation process, do a thorough lab relocation risk assessment . Take into account elements like environmental conditions, regulatory compliance, and the sensitivity of the equipment.

Resource Allocation for a Lab Relocation

Set aside the funds required to deal with possible problems and weak points. Purchasing specialist storage, shipping, or packaging options may be necessary for this. It is imperative to have a budget set up for unforeseen circumstances.

Building a Strong Relocation Team for Seamless Lab Relocation Execution

The strength of the relocation team is critical to the success of the laboratory relocation. Putting together a capable team is crucial to a successful implementation.

Recruit Experienced Laboratory Relocation Personnel

Employ experts with a proven track record of successfully relocating labs. Team members with experience add priceless information and skills to the process.

Cross-Functional Lab Relocation Teams

Put together multidisciplinary teams with a range of knowledge and experience. A diverse team of scientists, logistics specialists, equipment specialists, and project managers guarantees comprehensive coverage of all relocation-related issues.

Relocating a laboratory can be challenging, but you can increase the likelihood of a smooth transition significantly by identifying weak points and setting responsibilities. The experts at Overbrook are here to help with all of your laboratory relocation needs. With their vast experience and expertise, Overbrook can make your next move a successful one.

Laboratory Instrument Selection: A Comprehensive Guide to Lab Asset Procurement

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 21:48:55 GMT

Laboratory instruments are the hidden heroes of scientific research and analysis, providing the groundwork for important findings. Choosing the appropriate lab equipment is essential whether you work at a biotechnology company, a pharmaceutical lab, or an academic institution. Let’s examine the elements to take into account when selecting the appropriate equipment to support your commercial and research objectives.

The Importance of Aligning Lab Instrumentation with Scientific and Business Goals

It's crucial to first understand the general significance of matching your lab instrumentation with your scientific and business objectives before delving into the precise technical details and characteristics of laboratory equipment.

Scientific Goals for Your Laboratory

Align the capabilities of the device with the goals of the investigation. Is it made for the particular kind of analysis you have to do? To guarantee accurate results, take into account the sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the device. Time and resources can be saved when systems or procedures are compatible with current ones.

Business Goals for Your Laboratory

Assess the instrument's long-term cost-effectiveness. This covers the starting price, ongoing expenses, and anticipated lifetime. Think about how the instrument's throughput affects project deadlines. Examine the possibility of future scalability, particularly in fields that are changing quickly. Performance, upkeep, and parts availability are the three main criteria used in choosing an instrument.

Lab Asset Performance

Select an instrument that can provide the precision and accuracy you need. Sensitivity could be important, depending on your application. Make sure that the tool is capable of handling the anticipated workload. Think about software integration, data handling capabilities, and data output formats.

Lab Equipment Maintenance

Examine the entire cost of ownership, taking into account the cost of repairs and routine maintenance . Examine the downtime history of the instrument and how it affects your operations. Take into account the price and accessibility of service agreements.

Laboratory Instrument Parts Availability

Check if spare parts are readily available. Long lead times for parts can disrupt research. Ensure the instrument is compatible with common consumables and reagents.

Lab Asset Training

Make sure the manufacturer offers assistance and training. Evaluate user manuals for clarity and comprehensiveness. Take into account the price of training for both initial setup and continuous use.

Lab Instrumentation Compliance

Verify that the lab assets comply with all applicable regulations (FDA, ISO, etc.). Think about how simple it is to validate and calibrate an instrument. For compliance, assess the traceability and data security aspects.

Laboratory Asset Maintenance Considerations

Determine if your group is capable of performing standard maintenance. Establish a routine for preventative maintenance to avert unplanned downtime. Make sure it is simple and accurate to calibrate the instrument.

Choosing the appropriate lab equipment is a complex procedure that requires a thorough comprehension of your commercial and scientific goals. You may make well-informed decisions that will successfully and efficiently meet the needs of your laboratory by carefully weighing aspects like performance, maintenance, parts availability, user-friendly software, training, compliance, and maintenance.

Keep in mind that selecting lab equipment is a customized process. Priorities may vary depending on research objectives, laboratory configurations, and financial constraints. Finding a balance that meets your unique goals and guarantees that your investments are maximized for success in both commercial operations and scientific research is crucial. Overbrook has experience and expertise in asset procurement, lab instrumentation , and qualification.

The Benefits of Leveraging Asset Procurement Specialists for Laboratories

tpalashis@overbrookscientific.com (Ted Palashis) — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 15:15:00 GMT

Effective asset acquisition is crucial in today's fast-paced world of scientific research and laboratory operations. For laboratories to obtain high-quality assets while controlling expenses, a carefully planned approach is essential. It is difficult to distinguish between cost, quality, and risk, therefore having professionals in the industry who can handle these complications is needed. Specialists in the purchasing of laboratory instruments can help in this situation. Utilizing their knowledge and skills can give laboratories a competitive edge, resulting in cost savings, lower transaction costs, increased communication, and better analysis during the procurement process. Let’s take a closer look at how an experienced, expert lab asset procurement specialist can benefit an organization during a lab fit-out, relocation, or update.

Overall Cost Savings During Lab Asset Procurement

Working with asset procurement experts can potentially result in significant cost reductions , which is a main advantage. These experts possess an extensive understanding of the market, business trends, and pricing schemes. They can assist laboratories in finding economical solutions without sacrificing quality. Procurement experts can suggest cost-saving strategies like bulk purchasing, negotiating advantageous terms with suppliers, or locating more economical alternatives by thoroughly examining your laboratory's demands and financial restrictions.

Reduced Cost per Purchase of Laboratory Assets

Efficiency is crucial when buying laboratory equipment . Dealing with multiple transactions from many vendors can be time-consuming and expensive. By grouping purchases, lowering administrative costs, and negotiating favorable terms with manufacturers, lab asset procurement professionals expedite the process. This results in a decreased transactional cost per purchase, allowing laboratories to more effectively allocate resources and concentrate on their primary research and operations.

Gain from Knowledge of Laboratory Product Experience

The assets and instrumentation used in laboratories are not universal. Specific technologies may be needed for various research tasks. Specialists in asset procurement bring a wealth of product expertise and experience to the table. They can assist laboratories in choosing the best resources based on specific needs, ensuring that investments are in line with research goals. Their proficiency also extends to evaluating the dependability and performance of machinery, lowering the possibility of making expensive purchasing errors.

Enhanced Communication During Lab Asset Procurement

It is crucial to have effective communication during the purchasing process. Specialists in asset acquisition operate as go-betweens for suppliers and labs, guaranteeing effective and transparent communication. Discussions about requirements, delivery dates, warranties, and service agreements are facilitated by them. This improved communication makes misunderstandings and delays less likely, creating smoother transactions and faster project timeframes.

Improved Lab Asset Analysis

Making purchasing decisions based on data is essential when buying lab equipment. Data analytics is a tool that asset procurement specialists use to evaluate supplier performance, monitor costs, and find ways to save. By using an analytical approach, laboratories can optimize their procurement tactics and continually enhance their asset management procedures.

Superior Negotiation Skills During Laboratory Instrumentation Procurement

Supplier negotiations take tact and ability. Specialists in laboratory procurement have mastered negotiation techniques over their many years of practice. They are able to negotiate advantageous terms, prices, and warranties, enhancing the value of each procurement agreement. Their negotiation skills guarantee that laboratories get the best resources at the best prices.

Partnering with an asset procurement expert like Overbrook is a smart choice that has many benefits in the dynamic world of laboratory operations.

The Reconditioned Instrument Option: When is it a Smart Choice for Laboratories?

tpalashis@overbrookscientific.com (Ted Palashis) — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 17:45:00 GMT

To be competitive and effective in today’s fast-paced scientific environment, laboratories must stay on the leading edge of technology. However, purchasing brand-new lab equipment can frequently be prohibitively expensive, particularly for smaller research institutes or university institutions with limited funding. Reconditioned laboratory equipment can be a wise and sustainable choice for businesses looking for high-quality equipment without breaking their budget. Let’s take a closer look at the advantages of purchasing reconditioned instruments, when to choose them, and how asset procurement professionals ensure their quality.

When to Choose Reconditioned Instruments for Your Lab

In addition to being a more affordable option, reconditioned laboratory equipment can be significantly more beneficial in a variety of circumstances than new equipment.

Reconditioned Lab Instruments Alleviate Budget Constraints

Refurbished devices can help laboratories with tight budgets manage their resources more effectively. For academic research institutes, start-ups, and small businesses, this can be significant.

Reconditioned Instrumentation Meets Temporary or Specialized Needs

For short-term projects or specialized studies, labs may need particular technology. In such circumstances, purchasing brand-new equipment might not be justified. An efficient and affordable option is provided by leasing or reconditioned equipment from projected increase in capacity.

Rigorous Evaluation prior to purchase

The quality and dependability of refurbished equipment may come into question. Reconditioned laboratory equipment should go through careful vetting prior to purchase to guarantee qualityand dependability.

Lab Instrumentation Refurbishment

Instruments can be refurbished as needed, with worn-out or defective parts being replaced. This process guarantees that the refurbished equipment functions as required.

Reconditioned Laboratory Instrument Inspection and Testing

Once reconditioned instrumentation should be rigorously tested and put through a thorough process to assess their functionality.

How Asset Procurement Specialists Ensure Quality in Reconditioned Instruments

In the market for refurbished instruments, asset procurement specialists are crucial in ensuring that laboratories acquire the best equipment possible.

Reconditioned Lab Instrument Expertise

Specialists in asset procurement are well-versed in a variety of lab instrumentation. They use this knowledge to choose the most durable and dependable equipment for reconditioning.

Access to Resources for Reconditioned Laboratory Instruments

These lab asset professionals can find high-quality components for refurbishing since they have access to a network of manufacturers and suppliers.

Reconditioned Warranty and Support

Reputable providers of refurbished instruments provide guarantees and continuing assistance, offering labs peace of mind in the event that any problems develop after the purchase.

Reconditioned laboratory equipment is an excellent choice for labs looking to balance quality, cost, and sustainability. Labs can make well-informed decisions that are good for the environment and their bottom line by using refurbished equipment. These tools provide a dependable and affordable answer for the constantly changing needs of the scientific community thanks to the knowledge and commitment of asset procurement specialists. The experts at Overbrook are well-versed and experienced in laboratory asset procurement and reconditioned instrumentation acquisition and qualification.

Navigating the Science of Precision: The Role of Lab Relocation Specialists

tpalashis@overbrookscientific.com (Ted Palashis) — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 20:55:34 GMT

Laboratories, which are the home to sophisticated machinery, sensitive instruments, and priceless data, are crucial to scientific study and discoveries. When the time comes to expand or relocate this instrumentation the stakes are high, whether it is across town or across the country. Laboratory relocation specialists can help in this situation. These professionals provide a special combination of experience, knowledge, and contingency planning abilities to make sure that these delicate items and complex technology are moved securely and effectively.

The Value of Experience and Expertise in Lab Relocation Specialists

Moving a lab is no easy task; it requires careful planning with close coordination and necessitates a thorough comprehension of the complications involved. Overbrook has specialists in lab relocations who are seasoned and experienced in executing and navigating the challenges of a laboratory relocation.

Equipment Handling During a Lab Relocation

Each item requires specific handling methods. Specialists in lab relocations are aware of the challenges involved in packaging, disassembling, and reassembling this equipment in a secure manner.

Compliance Knowledge During a Laboratory Relocation

Chemicals and dangerous materials are frequently used in labs. Relocation experts are knowledgeable about the legal regulations governing their transportation, making sure that all safety precautions are adhered to strictly.

Minimizing Downtime During a Lab Relocation

Time is essential to the success of any lab and its data. Relocation professionals work to reduce downtime so that research initiatives can proceed as smoothly as possible.

Leveraging Lab Relocation Specialists for Effective Contingency Planning

Planning meticulously and having the flexibility to adjust to unanticipated conditions are essential for a successful lab move. Experts in lab relocation are skilled in developing and carrying out thorough contingency plans.

Risk Assessment During a Laboratory Relocation

Lab relocation in-depth risk evaluations are conducted by specialists to find potential obstacles and bottlenecks throughout the transition. This enables them to anticipate problems and create solutions ahead of time, saving time and money.

Communication and Coordination During a Lab Relocation

Coordination and effective communication are essential. To facilitate a smooth transition, relocation consultants communicate with all important parties, including lab staff and transportation providers.

Lab Relocation Contingency Plans

Although no plan can be guaranteed to succeed, relocation experts are ready with other options. They have backup plans in place in case of unforeseen weather conditions or equipment failures, keeping the relocation on schedule.

The Impact of Qualified Relocation Managers in Ensuring a Smooth Move

Every successful lab transfer has a skilled relocation manager at the helm. These people are in charge of managing the entire procedure, from initial setup to detailed planning.

Laboratory Relocation Budget Management

Budget management is a skill that relocation managers are adept at using to keep costs under control without sacrificing the integrity of the move.

Timeline Adherence for a Lab Relocation

It's essential to keep the project on time. To achieve deadlines, relocation managers keep track of the situation and make adjustments as necessary.

Their knowledge, skill, and careful planning are crucial in preserving the integrity of laboratories throughout relocation. These experts are essential to ensuring that the scientific endeavor is uninterrupted, whether it is through the secure transportation of fragile instruments or the seamless continuation of crucial studies. Their knowledge is absolutely essential in the intricate realm of laboratory relocations. The experts at Overbrook are experienced in laboratory relocations of all sizes and scope and can get your assets safely and smoothly from point A to point B.

Flexibility and Decision-Making in Laboratory Relocation Plans: Navigating Lab Moves with Confidence

Fri, 20 Oct 2023 21:47:15 GMT

Relocating a laboratory is a difficult process that is not without its difficulties and uncertainties. Moving a lab involves careful preparation and flexibility due to the complex equipment, time constraints, and production schedules. Let’s look at how you can successfully manage your next lab relocation by anticipating changes and uncertainties, making decisions based on current facts, and exercising agility.

Adapting to Dynamic Lab Relocation Projects

Moving a lab is rarely an easy process. There are a lot of moving parts, delicate equipment, and logistical difficulties. It's essential to prepare for changes and uncertainties along the journey in order to navigate these complications. A laboratory relocation strategy should be created with the knowledge of an experienced partner who can adapt new information as it becomes available. This adaptability enables prompt answers to unforeseen changes, ensuring that the project remains on course.

Making Informed Lab Relocation Decisions Based on Real-Time Information

Real-time adjustments and fresh information are inevitable during a laboratory relocation. These can include unforeseen equipment problems or logistical issues. The most recent information must be available if you want to make the best possible decisions. At this point, a lab relocation specialist's knowledge is priceless. These experts possess the skills and expertise necessary to evaluate current conditions, consider potential effects, and suggest the best course of action.

The Role of Agility in Successfully Managing Lab Relocations

For lab relocations to be effective , agility is essential. Agile project management entails the capacity to respond swiftly to evolving conditions while upholding overarching project goals. This adaptability is essential for reducing risks and causing as few hiccups as possible while moving. A skilled lab relocation specialist is prepared to act quickly and steer the relocation process in the right direction as they recognize the value of agility.

Finding a Partner for Laboratory Relocations

Working with an experienced partner can be crucial when it comes to lab relocations. With a focus on comprehending the difficulties involved, Overbrook is the top authority on lab relocations. With a skilled team of engineers and project managers who are dedicated to producing results that safeguard and expand your company, your next lab relocation can be a successful one.

Lab relocations are complex tasks that need adaptability, well-informed decision-making, and agility to deal with the unforeseen circumstances and difficulties that frequently appear. You may ensure a smooth transition for your laboratory by anticipating changes and uncertainties, making decisions based on current facts, and utilizing the experience of lab relocation specialists like Overbrook .

Understanding the Role of Asset Procurement in Lab Operations

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:19:37 GMT

Efficiency is key when it comes to laboratory operations. Whether they are new businesses or well-established organizations, laboratories work in a complex environment with specific needs. But in the midst of this intricacy, their assets are a crucial element. This equipment runs the lab's daily operations. But how do laboratories ensure that these resources continue to be useful, economical, and compatible with their changing needs? Understanding the value of laboratory asset acquisition and the function of a thorough lab asset management plan can determine the solution.

The Instrumentation Efficiency Analysis

Understanding a lab's "operational profile" is crucial before starting the asset acquisition process. The operational profile, which comprises routine analyses, volumes, and sample procedures, is a distinctive pattern or feature of the laboratory’s operations. A laboratory workflow analysis is the only way to properly determine a lab’s needs. This study identifies the assets that are required as well as the most effective ways to place them in the lab.

Comprehensive Lab Asset Management: The Heart of Laboratory Efficiency

Larger manufacturing, biotech, and pharmaceutical firms have long understood the need for effective asset management. These businesses guarantee the proper care of their assets by outsourcing to qualified asset managers. Medium-sized and smaller labs can gain the same advantages by utilizing affordable services that are tailored to each stage of a lab’s particular lifecycle .

The comprehensive lab asset management plan is the guiding principle behind this strategy. This plan acts as the guideline for every stage of the lifecycle of lab assets , including acquisition, upkeep, relocation, and even divestiture. But what actually forms the core of this approach?

Outfitting the Laboratory

Outfitting a lab entails acquiring resources that support the lab's scientific purpose. It is essential to find dependable, affordable instruments maintained by either the manufacturer or a certified service provider, whether for a new lab or an old one.

Maintenance on Laboratory Assets

A service plan ensures that assets are maintained to minimize downtime based on the operational profile of the lab. Full laboratory contract maintenance or other variable degrees of service can fall under this.

Relocation of a Laboratory

A laboratory may need extra room as it develops and grows. A strong asset management strategy guarantees minimal disturbance throughout this change, as well as ensuring a smooth transition from site to site during a laboratory relocation .

Laboratory Asset Divestment

An asset management company can help with the sale, reuse, or disposal of equipment when it becomes unnecessary.

The Value Proposition of Reconditioned Laboratory Instrumentation

Purchasing refurbished equipment can be an ideal option when choosing an asset. Reconditioned instruments, when inspected and refurbished by a reliable source like Overbrook, can be a game-changer, especially for labs wishing to effectively use resources or increase capacity.

Overbrook Laboratory Asset Operational Assessments: The Key to Success

More than just acquiring the appropriate assets is needed to maintain a lab's operating effectiveness. This is demonstrated through Overbrook's managed maintenance program . The process starts with a thorough laboratory asset management assessment that identifies important workflows and indicates which instruments need the greatest care. A cost-effective and productive operational environment is ensured by this technique that is specifically developed.

An effective laboratory operation is built on the foundation of asset acquisition and a comprehensive approach to lab asset management. A systematic approach to assets can make all the difference in ensuring laboratory success, as Boston, Massachusetts-based Overbrook demonstrates with its broad variety of lifecycle services.

Leadership in Action Podcast Featuring Ted Palashis

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 17:27:25 GMT

No matter what business you're in, it is important to understand how customer service matters. The lifetime value of a loyal customer can be considerable, especially when referrals are added to the economics of customer retention and repeat purchases of related products.

In a recent podcast, Ted Palashis discusses how his background in customer service has taught him life long business lessons. It has also taught him the difference between customer service and customer compliance. Equipped with these lessons, Ted has been able to build strong client relationships for Overbrook.

To learn more about building and servicing client relationships, watch Ted's interview below.

Lab Asset Management Partners: The Benefits of a Comprehensive Lab Asset Management Plan

Sun, 29 May 2022 16:45:00 GMT

Maintenance models based on asset management have grown in the laboratory and research sector. Asset management providers use actuarial financial and statistical models to determine and mitigate the risk for a lab’s assets and instrumentation. This information and data alone can make high-level decision-making easier, and more dependable. However, this is only one reason that a laboratory asset management partner can be beneficial for your overall operation. The most important thing is to establish a comprehensive lab asset management plan.

What is a Comprehensive Lab Asset Management Plan?

A comprehensive lab asset management plan should address the requirements of laboratory throughout its life cycle, from properly outfitting the lab , to maintenance, relocation and asset divestment requirements of the assets.

Outfitting of the laboratory, and the procurement of assets that are suitable to the scientific mission that are reliable, cost effective and effectively maintained by either the manufacturer or a qualified service provider is critical, whether for a startup or well-established laboratory.

Based on the operational profile of the laboratory, a comprehensive service plan, specific to the needs of the laboratory will indicate how the assets should be properly maintained, and downtime minimized. The service plan should include a combination of varying levels of service, specific to those needs. Levels of service can include full contract maintenance services (production and mission critical instruments) as well as time and material and warranty approach.

Expanding a lab’s existing space or relocating to new facilities is a requirement of a laboratory with well-established business and science plans that have outgrown the limitations of its existing footprint and seeks to accommodate its increased sample volume and research capabilities. A comprehensive, harmonized service plan if already instituted can greatly minimize the disruption to lab operations, as maintenance activities and protocols already in place that are centrally coordinated can more easily integrate into a relocation plan.

A qualified laboratory asset management company can also provide multiple options and management of the process in repurposing, reselling or disposing of redundant assets including a hybrid approach of managing the reselling/remarketing and auctioning of instrumentation. They can also arrange or directly provide the remarketing, sale, installation and post-sale support services that can greatly increase the value of redundant assets and relieve the burden of responsibility from lab operations.

Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Overbrook is a professional laboratory services firm that provides a diverse range of lifecycle services including maintenance services, lab relocations, asset management and new and reconditioned instrumentation.

Outsourced Lab Asset Management: How Do I Know if I’m Spending too Much or Too Little?

Sat, 28 May 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Having effective, proficient, and expert management of your laboratory’s assets is not only ideal, but critical for the success, longevity, and performance of your operations. Entrusting the qualification, procurement, and oversight of your lab’s instrumentation to a dedicated third-party can not only provide the highest level of service, it can alleviate your staff’s time and resources to focus on your organizational goals. However, it is important to know what your spending, and more importantly, where those funds are going once you agree to outsource your lab’s asset management. Committing to bolstering your staff with expert asset management has many benefits; but spending too much is wasteful and spending too little can be worse. Let’s take a closer at the services you should receive from a third-party asset manager, and if it makes sense for your budget.

The Danger of Spending Too Little on Laboratory Asset Management

As laboratories mature, they develop ingrained ways of dealing with repairs, maintenance and the management of its assets. If done internally, the burden usually falls on facilities personnel, lab management or end users who usually do not have the engineering skills, availability or expertise to properly maintain the laboratory’s assets. Making a smaller than necessary commitment to streamlining this critical operational aspect can muddy the waters, disjoint communication, and counteract the benefits of asset management. Furthermore, it is a new expense that needs to be accounted for, without the advantages it can create.

The Problem with Spending Too Much on Laboratory Asset Management

Going overboard on additional, unnecessary services can significantly impact your bottom line. While we’ve addressed the problem with underspending, going in the opposite direction isn’t advised either. With too many cooks in the kitchen, the same communication issues, and inefficiencies can be experienced, but with a bigger price tag. Your lab asset management partner should understand your needs , find ways to create new efficiencies and safeguards, and create the best possible plan for your operation.

The Benefits of Finding the Right Asset Laboratory Management Partner

Aside from the laboratory’s personnel, its instrumentation is its most important tangible asset. As laboratory operations are extremely complex and instrumentation requirement profiles constantly change, the required skills to properly manage those assets cannot be underestimated. Most laboratories, regardless of their size, lack the internal resources and expertise to properly manage their assets in a way that allows the lab to properly maintain a level of efficiency and cost effectiveness.

This approach usually results in critically overlooked maintenance activities, inconsistent coordination and monitoring of routine maintenance and qualification schedules and a lack of focus on the scientific mission of the laboratory. Because of the uncoordinated nature of an unharmonized approach, underutilized assets that can often be redeployed to areas of the lab that could use the additional resources are often not on the radar screen and thus not considered, resulting in overlapping capabilities and additional costs.

Overbrook is a professional laboratory services firm that provides a diverse range of lifecycle services including maintenance services, lab relocations , asset management and new and reconditioned instrumentation.

Is Lab Planning and Design Being Assigned to People That Already Have Full-Time Jobs?

Fri, 27 May 2022 17:55:05 GMT

Every person that works in your laboratory has a specific skillset, role, responsibility, obligation, and bandwidth. When new demands and expectations are placed on these resources, it can quickly overstretch your team. Not only will the quality, accuracy, and efficiency of the current tasks being performed suffer, but the additional work will also be lacking; because your team already has a full-time job.

Why Should Lab Planning and Design be Outsourced?

If done internally, the burden of lab planning and design typically falls on facilities personnel, lab management or end users who usually do not have the engineering skills, availability or expertise to properly design these plans. These members of your staff already have deadlines, goals, and deliverables, being spread too thin not only jeopardizes the day-to-day, it limits the potential of new development that lab planning and design is intended for.

What are the Benefits of Entrusting a Third-Party Lab Planning Expert?

Selecting the right lab planning and design partner can pay dividends, not only for the final project, but for your bottom line throughout the investment in your laboratory. With a thorough, end-to-end plan along with outside planning and oversight that doesn’t take away from daily operations, organizational goals and operational obligations can not only be met, but exceeded.

Lab planning and design consultation is just part what the experienced, project-focused experts at Overbrook offer.

Successful Lab Relocation Services: The Components of an Effective and Efficient Move

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:00:43 GMT

To understand the environment in which a successful laboratory relocation is properly managed and executed, it is helpful to visualize the project as a process structure having four supporting pillars:

These pillars include communication management, understanding laboratory operations, planning, budgeting, and execution of the move.

Each of these pillars require certain skills, experience, and expertise to manage the tasks that each demand. Having a clear understanding of each is related and functions together as an entire project system is critical.

Five Critical Steps of the Laboratory Relocation Process

These steps can be executed successfully by following the five key steps in a laboratory relocation .

Laboratory Relocation Communication Management

Establishing communication channels to identify and determine procedures for decommissioning and recommissioning laboratory instrumentation is essential before the relocation begins. Correctly, safely, and efficiently taking assets offline and set back up is critical for their continued performance.

Understanding Laboratory Operations for Lab Relocation

A thorough understanding of laboratory’s operations and needs can be attained through a formal discovery process. This process includes interviewing key laboratory and administrative personnel either in-person, virtually, or through questionnaires that collect all of the information needed best suit the needs each unique laboratory.

Comprehensive Lab Relocation Planning

A comprehensive relocation plan ensures the continuity of laboratory operations. With this plan in place, disruptions can be minimized, and risks to the lab’s operations can be mitigated.

Lab Relocation Budget Development and Oversight

A budget that accounts for all direct and indirect costs associated with the migration needs to be created and followed throughout the process.

Laboratory Relocation Move Management and Execution

The oversight and management of the de-installation, relocation and reinstallation of all equipment at the destination is the primary function of your relocation partner.

This process and its management are a full-time job, which is why the experienced, expert engineers and project managers at Overbrook handle it for you. With proven strategies and experience, downtime, cost, and risk can all be mitigated by outsourcing your next relocation.

Lab Relocation Service with Experience

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 15:39:16 GMT

Many laboratory relocations are unfortunately disorganized and poorly executed. In many cases, laboratory relocation projects are undertaken internally with a limited understanding of the required skillset and complexity involved. Laboratory relocation responsibilities are often delegated to owner's project managers (OPM) who, though fluent in new project construction, may not have the required technical understanding of laboratory instrumentation, service and support requirements and other critical considerations that affect relocation project phasing and the overall relocation plan.

Furthermore, bench level knowledge of the assets, laboratory workflows and understanding the lab personnel’s requirements for them to perform their daily tasks, is critical. This effectively establishes credibility and cooperation amongst diverse cross functional teams including scientists, facilities, lab management and support personnel within the organization. The best way to ensure that these abilities are available is to entrust a laboratory relocation to an experienced team of expert Lab relocation specialists.

With so many moving parts, strict time frames and production schedules, a lab relocation presents a variety of risks. To mitigate these risks, contingency planning for various scenarios is essential. Your plan should be expected to change, and how you make decisions based on these changes will play a critical role in the success of your move. An experienced lab relocation specialist is a necessary resource in this regard. Understanding the complexity and designating a qualified relocation manager to properly manage a laboratory relocation is a critical decision. Your relocation manager should also be able to identify weak links in the chain of accountability, putting the right resources where they need to be.

Overbrook focuses on lab relocations and knows any successful move results from careful planning , efficient harmonization and proper execution, often within strict timelines and production schedules. We solve the problem of how to move, on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption so you can focus on your science

Relocation Services for Material Testing Labs: Relocation Planning Stages

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:00:14 GMT

Material testing labs perform various tasks that influence and improve products and services across a wide array of sectors. These studies, data, and information play a critical role in the constant evolution of how things are made and used. As material testing laboratories grow, relocation to bigger, newer, and better facilities is necessary; but these moves can not come at the expense of discovery and results. Let’s take a closer look at the stages that create an effective, efficient, and successful laboratory relocation .

The Laboratory Relocation Exploratory Stage

During the exploratory stage, your relocation manager will submit and review and a list of assets, as well as the determined scope of work. A site audit with the client and OSS team will also be performed. During this time, a preliminary project timeline and benchmarks will also be determined.

The Laboratory Relocation Commitment Stage

During the commitment stage, the submission of preliminary cost estimates, as well as the contract, is presented.

The Laboratory Relocation Move Preparation Stage

One of the most critical steps in the relocation process is the preparation stage. During this time, a secondary review of the timeline and milestones will be performed. The hierarchy of mission-critical assets and placement will be identified. The site’s considerations in terms of facilities and IT will be reviewed. Packing protocols will be discussed with all technicians. Instruments and their components will be inventoried.

Compliancy documentation will be identified and handled. Lastly, the confirmation of site-ready preparedness at both the original and new locations will be established.

The Laboratory Relocation De-Installation Stage

Before any asset can be removed and relocated, it needs to be benchmarked for performance, de-installed, and packed.

Once these steps are accurately and expertly taken, the instrumentation can be moved to the new location.

The Laboratory Relocation Re-Installation Stage

At the new site, each asset can be unpacked and reinstalled. At this point in time, your relocation management partner will qualify, benchmark, and validate each asset.

The experienced team of project managers and engineers at Overbrook understands that managing a laboratory relocation is a full-time job with specific skill sets appropriate to the organizational, engineering, facilities, compliance, and experiential tasks required. With their proven track record of strategic planning and execution, you can avoid budget overruns, missed deadlines, and costly downtime.

Lab Relocation Assistance: The Five Keys to a Successful Move

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 17:58:15 GMT

Laboratory relocation is a significant undertaking. No matter which part of the laboratory lifecycle that this move is supporting, it needs to be handled in an effective, efficient, and thorough manner. Whether you are expanding, downsizing, merging, or simply updating, your operations and data stem from successfully managing any and every relocation. Due to this fact, having the right lab relocation assistance is critical. Here are the five things that you need to expect, and demand, from your relocation management team to ensure that your laboratory operations don’t miss a beat before, after, or during your move.

Communications Management for Laboratory Relocations

Consulting with the laboratory personnel teams and contractors, your relocation partner should establish communication channels.

They should also create a process to identify and determine procedures for the decommissioning and recommissioning of laboratory instrumentation for the duration of the relocation planning and eventual move.

Understanding Laboratory Operations During a Relocation

Your relocation manager should have or obtain a thorough understanding of your laboratory’s operations and needs. This ability can be attained through a formal discovery process that includes interviews and questionnaires from key laboratory and administrative personnel.

Establishing a Laboratory Relocation Plan

Every successful relocation begins with a thorough plan based on experience and expertise . Your relocation partner should provide a comprehensive plan that ensures the continuity of your operations, minimizing disruption. This plan should cover the critical logistics that synchronize the overall laboratory relocation phasing plan.

Laboratory Relocation Budget Management

A laboratory is a business at the end of the day and needs to operate on a budget. With expert insight and accounting for all direct and indirect costs that will be associated with the transition from one location to another, your relocation manager can develop an all-encompassing budget. This budget should be monitored and updated throughout the relocation process to make the best decisions possible.

Laboratory Relocation Management and Execution

Lastly comes the oversight of the actual relocation. This includes the de-installation, relocation, and reinstallation of all assets at the new location. Supervision will be provided on-site at both pre and post laboratories throughout the entire process.

Relocation for Environmental Labs: Planning and Executing

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:45:30 GMT

Environmental labs do a wide array of studies, discovering, collecting, and analyzing data that provides a variety of applications. From the natural components of the Earth, like soil, water, and air, to more complex variables like waste characterization, contaminants, and other eco-forensics, the research, planning, and oversight in this sector is as complicated as it is important in achieving new environmental discoveries and solutions. When an environmental laboratory needs to update, upgrade, or expand, its relocation is an equally important task with critical components that need to be accounted for, addressed, and executed.

There are four key pillars in a successful laboratory relocation . Communication management, understanding laboratory operations, comprehensive relocation planning, and move management execution are all critical in safely, effectively, and efficiently relocating a laboratory. Let’s take a closer at creating a relocation plan and executing the relocation itself.

Environmental Laboratory Relocation Planning

The transition of your laboratory and its assets needs to be led by a carefully calculated strategy based on experience and expertise that mitigates potential risks. Complications and other factors can quickly derail the relocation process causing budget overruns, schedule delays, asset damage, and compromise critical data. A thorough site assessment and a realistic, detailed schedule created and performed by a team of dedicated project managers and subject matter experts will ensure a compliant move with minimal downtime.

Environmental Laboratory Relocation Execution

Once a comprehensive plan is in place, it is time for the relocation itself. The execution of this process begins with the decommission and deinstallation of the lab’s instrumentation. These assets, along with other supplies, will be properly handled and packed for transportation. Transportation isn’t limited to the back of a truck. This process from point A to point B involves every step taken when in between where these instruments were and will be. Once at the new site, the assets will be unpacked and reinstalled. The final stage of the relocation will involve the qualification of all instrumentation , ensuring that it is optimized and ready to perform in its new location.

Relocation planning and execution is a full-time job, which is why the experienced, expert engineers and project managers at Overbrook handle it for you. With proven strategies and experience, downtime, cost, and risk can all be mitigated by outsourcing your next relocation.

Laboratory Relocation Services: Making the Most of Your Lab’s Next Move

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 20:38:23 GMT

Getting your laboratory’s assets from one location to another can be a significant challenge. Whether you are upgrading, downsizing, updating, or expanding, the handling, movement, and documentation of your instrumentation’s performance is critical. This is why you should entrust the laboratory relocation process to a team of experienced experts that can allow you the ability to do your job, as well as the peace of mind that your equipment will leave and arrive as it should. There are many vital steps throughout a laboratory relocation; let’s take a closer look at this process.

Establish the Scope and Schedule for Your Laboratory Relocation Services

Determining the scope is critical for understanding the scale of the project and the different services and expertise required to handle the instrumentation and other assets. This determination will allow your laboratory relocation to establish a realistic and achievable timeline that will keep your operations running smoothly.

Prioritize Your Workflow and Assets Before the Laboratory Relocation Begins

Mission-critical workflows, assets and instrumentation should be identified before deinstallation and packing. This information will help your relocation team create an efficient and streamlined plan for proceeding at your existing and new sites.

Collaboration with other Laboratory Relocation Stakeholders

All stakeholders will be involved in the move to varying degrees. They need to know what to expect and provide to make the move as successful as possible. A qualified relocation manager specializes in the coordination of this complex set of tasks.

Inventory Instrumentation and Identify Compliance Documentation Before the Laboratory Relocation

Before any instrument leaves the existing site, it needs to be audited. Once this step is done, the new site needs to be inspected for readiness, ensuring that the proper space and peripheral resources are in place and prepared before each instrument is delivered and installed. Before the assets are de-installed and packed, many need to be benchmarked. This process establishes the condition and performance of each instrument before it is moved.

Laboratory Relocation Services at the New Site

Once all instruments are properly packed, they will be transported to the new location, unpacked, and expertly reinstalled. The final aspect of the laboratory relocation process will be to benchmark, qualify, and validate the assets as necessary.

The experienced team of project managers and engineers at Overbrook understands that managing a laboratory relocation is a full-time job with specific skill sets appropriate to the organizational, engineering, facilities, compliance and experiential tasks required. With their proven track record of strategic planning and execution, you can avoid budget overruns, missed deadlines, and costly downtime.

Laboratory Standby and Potential Shutdown Services

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 19:05:48 GMT

Over the past few weeks, and increasingly in the last several days, businesses across all sectors and industries in many parts of the nation have been impacted by the pandemic known as COVID-19. While this means limited access for some companies, and restricted availability for others, public, private, and university laboratories need to protect and prepare their instrumentation and operations for an extended absence.

Your laboratory’s assets are vital to your overall business and performance, as well as the safety of your facility. While times like this are unprecedented, there are measures, steps, strategies, and procedures that can be implemented to mitigate the risks that accompany a standby situation or a temporary shutdown.

Overbrook can provide the following services that make it safe, effective, and possible to allow your lab to follow a standby protocol, as well as a potential shutdown.

Checking mobile phases and draining lines
Shutting off gases as required
Performing proper shutdown protocols of mass specs/checking temperatures
Unplugging all instrumentation as required
Checking power surge protection
De-installation of equipment that needs to be decommissioned
Decontaminating equipment
Bagging equipment

While these times are challenging, there are steps that can be taken to protect the assets in your lab that you’ve invested in, making it possible to mitigate the risks and obstacles of returning to business as usual later this year. Overbrook provides reconditioned instruments, contractual maintenance, qualification services, and laboratory relocation for laboratories.

HPLC Instrumentation for Analysis: Identifying and Repairing Leaks

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:47:20 GMT

Leaks are one of the most common issues you will encounter while operating an HPLC . Some leaks are easily observable as drops of liquid forming where a capillary nut meets a fitting. Other signs of a leak in the system can be lower than normal system pressure, fluctuating pressure, broadening peaks or peak tailing, longer than normal retention times, or the system telling you there is a leak, as most modern HPLCs come equipped with leak sensors. Leaks most frequently occur where capillaries are removed and refitted regularly, such as the fittings on either side of a column.

If the offending fitting is stainless steel, you can tighten it 1/8 ^th of a turn with a wrench, observe whether the leak has stopped, and repeat as necessary. If a stainless-steel fitting continues to leak and cannot be tightened further, the ferrule must be replaced, or a new capillary must be installed if the old ferrule cannot be removed.

When you encounter a leaky PEEK fitting you should first turn off the pump flow, then loosen the nut and push the tubing into the bottom of the fitting body and re-tighten the nut (finger-tight only!). If it continues to leak, try cutting a new end to the PEEK tubing and re-fit the nut. As a last resort, replace the nut.

Keep in mind that the most common PEEK fittings are generally capable of holding only 6,000 bar of pressure, while most stainless-steel fittings are rated for up to 20,000 PSI. It is important to keep these numbers in mind along with the pressure ratings for the type of system you are running. The typical operating pressure for HPLCs is < 6,000 PSI. UPLCs are typically run between 6,000 and 15,000 PSI. Be sure to use fittings that can sustain adequate pressure for your system and methods. While finger-tight PEEK fittings are more convenient to disconnect and reconnect regularly, they may not be adequate for your UPLC methods.

Small leaks can be difficult to detect, especially if you are using a mobile phase that evaporates quickly. Such leaks may not be visibly observable, but they are often accompanied by the same symptoms of a large leak. If your mobile phase contains buffers, small leaks can be identified over time because they will leave residues behind. If you notice a white frosty/crystalline buildup at the end of a capillary or on any nuts, it’s a sign that you had or currently have a small leak occurring and you should take some of the remedial steps outlined above.

If you are unsure about where a small leak is occurring, methodically check the flow path by wiping the edge of a Kimwipe or thermal paper against fittings along the flow path and check for wetting. Thermal paper is especially effective for organic solvents, as it will turn black upon exposure. Start with the pump head, checking the inlet and outlet check valves, behind the pump heads (which would indicate worn plunger seals), check the purge valve and work your way through the flow path, moving to the ALS injection valve, needle, needle seat, and column compartment/column. Less critical are the column outlet, detector inlets and outlets (as most of the system backpressure should be before the column).

Any questions? Let us know. Our Liquid Phase specialists are here to help.

HPLC Repair Services: Common Causes of Baseline Noise

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 15:35:54 GMT

The appearance of your HPLC’s baseline noise is one of the most useful indicators of its overall performance and cleanliness.

The ratio of the detector’s signal response to a specified standard when compared to the background signal variation is known as the “signal to noise ratio.” The background noise is measured over a pre-determined length of baseline. HPLC manufacturers will usually publish their specification for the system’s signal to noise ratio. This is a useful measure of normal background signal variation in the system.

When you notice abnormalities in the baseline noise, it can be attributed to a number of different factors:

HPLC Solvent

High baseline noise can often be attributed to mobile phase contaminants. Noise due to contamination will be most prominent in gradient elution. Phantom peaks can appear as the level of the contaminated solvent is increased. Water is the most common source of solvent contamination. Be sure to only use HPLC grade solvents, and always use an inlet filter on your solvent reservoir lines.

HPLC Degasser

If your system has an in-line degasser, be sure that it is functioning properly. Dissolved air in your solvents can contribute greatly to baseline noise and will appear as pulsations in the baseline that coincide with pump head strokes.

HPLC Pump

If your degasser is functioning properly and your lines are properly primed and pulsations in your baseline are still present, it is possible that your pump requires service. Generally, pump seals should be changed once a year. A pulsating baseline could also be an indication that your pump has a faulty check valve that needs to be replaced.

HPLC Column

Baseline noise can be caused by contaminants washing off from a dirty column or from a column that has degraded due to phase dewetting. If it’s suspected that the column is the source of excessive baseline noise, it should be replaced with a union and the method run without the column while observing the baseline.

HPLC Detector

Every HPLC detector has some amount of noise comprised of electronic noise and stray light which is picked up by the photodiodes within the detector. Elevated levels of baseline noise within the detector can be the result of a lamp deteriorating over time in the form of reduced intensity from a contaminated flow cell or from dirty optics. Some solvents combined with lower wavelength settings will also show elevated levels of baseline noise -- this is normal. For example, MeOH absorbs up to 201nm. Wavelength settings below 220nm will show an increase in noise if this is part of your mobile phase. Buffers also decrease the amount of light hitting the photodiodes, which can increase the baseline noise

Whether your HPLC systems are new or reconditioned ; Overbrook can help.

GCMS Detector Preventative Maintenance Considerations: Daily MSD PFTBA Tuning and Evaluation

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 16:00:26 GMT

Your daily PFTBA tune is an invaluable tool to ensure optimum and reliable performance of your GCMS system . There’s more information and symptoms that a proper tuning can detect than you might realize.

Autotuning the MSD should be done after maintenance , prior to initial calibration generation, or before running a sample sequence to ensure system performance and optimization. The tuning algorithm uses ratios of compound ions within a standardized tune solution (PFTBA) to adjust lens settings, electron multiplier voltages, quadrupole settings, and abundances to maximize performance of the MSD for your methodology. Autotuning will optimize the MSD with its present condition (newly cleaned or even if it’s been a while) as the tuning algorithm compensates for performance of aging or dirty components. It’s suggested to run the autotune, the same column flow rates and oven temperatures when using control charts. Autotuning is also useful after a source cleaning for future comparison of source aging and filament performance. Autotune on each filament to be objective about performance.

As a note, remember autotuning and generating a tune report are not the same things. The autotune uses a tuning algorithm to make a series of adjustments, while generating a tune report uses the final setpoints generated from the last saved autotune. This is preferred in some cases if you have a rather long (+24 hours) sequence or multiple shorter sequences but want the tune parameters to remain unchanged since the initial calibration is based on the first autotune results which are method and SOP specific. In general, you should autotune and recalibrate after maintenance is performed.

Additionally, the autotune can be saved and optimized for method specific performance. Standard tune, DFTPP tuning (for semi-volatiles), BFB tuning (volatiles), and target tuning are “canned” tune methods, created for just those purposes. Keep a record of these post source cleaning autotune reports in your instrument logbook maintenance section for later comparison. We suggest doing it for both filaments. Later, when comparing data, you’ll be glad you did.

The following are examples of such Autotunes and what to look for:

Autotune Reports from a clean 5977 MSD (Agilent) with Mass Hunter software

Tune Reports showing no changes from the same 5977 MSD (Agilent) with Mass Hunter software

A Tune Evaluation is a separate internal MSD performance check using ion responses within the PFTBA solution against factory limits for that specific OEM’s MSD. This can also help in identifying required maintenance events. As before, use these post source cleaning Tune Evaluation reports for each filament in your instrument logbook maintenance section for later comparison.

The following are examples of such Tune Evaluations:

Tune Evaluation Reports from a clean 5977 MSD (Agilent) with Mass Hunter software

Parameter ramping of lenses is used within the autotune algorithm as an essential tool for evaluating the “cleanliness” of your MSD source and should be run on a scheduled basis. Autotuning is essential prior to initiating the parameter ramp evaluations. The three main ions being monitored (for example: 69, 219, 502) are graphically plotted for lens setting vs. abundance to determine the optimal lens setting for a particular mass and how that setting will affect the other two masses. This lens ramping is repeatedly used within the autotune algorithm along with varying the electron multiplier voltage and resulting responses. The shape of these graphically plotted masses will indicate a problem dirty component (i.e. repeller) or failing parts such as insulators which may need replacement. Use these post source cleaning parameter ramp reports for each filament in your instrument logbook maintenance section for later comparison.

By using these parameter ramps, autotunes, and tune evaluation reports you can determine your next troubleshooting step or strategy. Smooth flowing lines indicate good lenses; keep a record of these post source cleaning in your instrument logbook maintenance section for later comparison. Jagged or misshapen curves indicate interference (dirty or faulty lens, faulty wiring connection, or associated lens insulators are cracked).

The following are examples of such Parameter Ramps and issues that they may indicate:

Parameter ramps from a clean 5977 MSD (Agilent) with Mass Hunter software

Parameter ramps from a clean 5973 MSD (Agilent) with Enhanced MSD Chemstation software

GCMS Maintenance: Keeping Your GCMS Running

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 15:34:43 GMT

The objective of the research, production and activities performed in your laboratory is to collect data. Your ability to achieve this is only as strong as your equipment’s dependability and accuracy. This makes preventative and periodic maintenance extremely important. This is especially true for more complex systems like your gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) assets. GCMS is an ideal method to separate, identify, and quantify analytes of complex mixtures. When properly maintained, these instruments provide the accurate analysis required by your laboratory.

The following topics cover the routine tasks that as part of a preventative maintenance approach, will ensure that your GCMS will provide the results that you need. The majority of GCMS issues can be prevented by addressing the components in these topics with a well-organized maintenance plan.

GCMS Detector Preventative Maintenance Considerations:

Daily MSD PFTBA tuning and evaluation – Your daily PFTBA tune is an invaluable tool to ensure optimum and reliable performance of your GCMS system. There’s more information and symptoms that a proper tuning can detect than you might realize.

Source Cleaning – It’s not as daunting or time consuming as you might think and that prior autotune can tell you hardware status and parts issues before even venting the system. Work smarter (not harder).

Vacuum integrity and pumps – Whether you have a turbo pump or diffusion pump, there are different strategies in maintaining them as well as your rough pumps. (Let’s not forget the vacuum hoses and o-rings as well).

Inlet and column maintenance. A lot of gremlins can hide in that GCMS inlet and column. How to keep the inlets clean and knowing when to change the column is essential to your analysis.

Autosamplers: ALS, HS, P&T – Liquid autosamplers, Headspace Samplers , and Purge & Traps need love and attention. It’s an awful feeling when you come in Monday morning and find the autosampler stuck on your fourth sample of a one hundred sample sequence! Minimize the risk – Mondays are tough enough.

Control charts – A pain, but an awesome tool to ensure consistent performance, minimize downtime and keep your train on the rails! Your QAQC department will love you.

Procedural and Instrument Blanks, and SIM blindness – What are those surprise or unknown peaks in your normal sample batch? A review of procedural and instrument blanks, where’d they come from? The folks in the prep lab or is your instrument dirtier than you realized? Do you mainly run in selected ion monitoring mode (SIM)? If so, you might get blindsided by non-target contamination or influences. Have you tried running monthly Full Scan (FS) instrument blanks?

Computer maintenance and backing up data – Take the bull by the horns (or at least your IT department by the hand) and make the case for a clean drive, lots of RAM and free memory to run smoothly. Do your disk maintenance, defragging, and more on the weekends automatically. Back up your data, acquisition methods, and quantitation data on a regularly scheduled basis and no, Alexa cannot run samples, yet – but we’ll get you close.

Gas Supply and Filtration – Clean gases with proper filters and when to change them. Do I stay with Helium as a carrier gas or should I consider changing to Hydrogen? O2, Water, or excess Nitrogen in my autotune - where is it coming from? Is it time for a gas generator?

Tough analyses with complex matrices and finicky compounds that like to degrade - Pesticides, Phthalates, Saturated Alkanes and Fuel analysis, Biomarkers, Crude oil unresolved complex mixtures (UCMs), plant or animal tissues, Cannabinoids and Terpenes, Residual Solvents. All have their unique challenges to methodology, clean up techniques, and detector optimization.

Whether your GCMS systems are new or reconditioned, Overbrook can help.

Overbrook Support Service's “Spread the Science” donation program

Fri, 22 May 2020 12:47:53 GMT

Overbrook Support Services provides donations to universities and other academic institutions through its “Spread the Science” donation program.

Overbrook has recently donated a Perkin Elmer Janus Liquid Handler through Seeding Labs, https://seedinglabs.org/ a non-profit organization that through donations from laboratories, manufacturers and service providers, equips scientists worldwide with scientific instrumentation.

The liquid handler will be shipped to a laboratory in Armenia working in response to Covid-19.

Overbrook’s Lab Lifecycle Management Process Featured in Lab Manager Magazine

Mon, 11 May 2020 16:31:19 GMT

Overbrook President Ted Palashis was featured in the May 2020 issue of Lab Manager Magazine to explain the five key phases of laboratory lifecycle management . This important concept addresses the needs of the laboratory from start up to exit. Everything from maintenance, monitoring, relocation, and divestment need to be taken into account throughout the lifecycle of the laboratory. Lab Manager’s slogan is “run your lab like a business” and these strategies outlined by Palashis are focused on exactly that.

Each stage along this timeline has unique requirements; the way that they are approached can dramatically improve your laboratory’s operations. While startups need the instrumentation and assets necessary to operate, established, mature labs may need to relocate or expand as productivity is at its highest. These phases have their own challenges and require experienced oversight and management for success.

The five stages of a laboratory’s lifecyle include:

Startup – Acquiring essential equipment
Operational – Ascertain the mission criticality of the assets
Expansion (or Relocation) – Organization for a smooth transition
Maturity – Managing services and asset compliance
Exit – Repurposing, decommissioning, divestiture of equipment

Read the entire Lab Manager article

LCMS and LCMSMS Service: Properly Maintaining your Mass Spectrometer

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 18:21:44 GMT

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, also referred to as LCMS , is an analytical chemistry technique that combines the mass analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry with the physical separation ability of liquid chromatography. Such a highly sensitive instrument needs to be serviced and maintained appropriately and effectively . Avoiding contamination can help prevent signal suppression, reduce background noise, minimize adduct formation, and increase its ability to identify spectrum complexity. In order to achieve the most accurate results, contamination prevention is crucial. To maximize your LCMS instrument sensitivity, we suggest the following:

Only Use Volatile Buffers

While some instrument manufacturers claim that involatile buffers like phosphate can be used, you should only use volatile buffers. The sampling orifice can become blocked and the voltages required by the electrostatic element can change. The conditions created by involatile buffers hamper optimum ion generation.

Check the Rotary Pump Oil

Rotary pumps consume minuscule amounts of oil as a part of their normal operation, and they must be topped off regularly. The rotary pumps can be exposed to a variety of different materials and solvents that can increase wear on the pump’s components. We advise draining and replacing the oil at the manufacturer’s recommended interval. Additionally, some models of these pumps can be ballasted to remove more volatile contaminants. If your pump has this feature, use the valve on the pump to clear it on a weekly basis to maintain the quality of the vacuum within the mass spectrometer.

Limit Your Flow Rate

While electrospray can allow newer equipment to utilize a higher flow rate, it is still advisable to use a lower flow rate. With an increased flow rate, more material enters the mass spectrometer, which increases the rate of contaminant buildup.

Using a Divert Valve

Using a divert valve, you can switch portions of the mobile phase to waste before it reaches the mass spectrometer. With a properly optimized method, this allows you to only send your analytes through the mass spectrometer, further preventing buildup of involatile components within the instrument.

Limit Your Sample Concentration

Loading a high concentration of your analyte onto the column can increase the visibility of smaller components, however, it can also quickly contaminate your source. Using a divert valve can divert the concentrated material to waste, helping to prevent contamination, however the best way to mitigate the risk of compromising your source is to limit your sample concentration when possible. If you must have the concentrated analyte go into the source, we recommend limiting the number of injections.

Do Not Vent Too Frequently

When you vent a mass spectrometer you increase the risk of wear and other component damage. These instruments perform best when they are constantly running. The turbo pump which creates a high vacuum is especially susceptible to damage from venting. The rush of air that accompanies the vacuum when it is engaged puts an intense amount of stress and strain on the pump’s vanes, specifically in the bearings, which wears the turbo down at a higher rate.

Maintaining a clean laboratory from the inside out of each asset is essential to continuing to produce the accurate results you need. Overbrook is an experienced, skilled, and educated provider of laboratory equipment services, especially when it comes to LCMS instrumentation.

HPLC Service Provider: Ideas to Get the Most Out of Your High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 17:29:02 GMT

High performance liquid chromatography, also referred to HPLC, a technique in analytical chemistry used to separate, identify, and quantify each component in a mixture. This highly sensitive instrument needs to be serviced and maintained properly. To achieve the most accurate results, contamination prevention is crucial. Here are some ways to maximize your HPLC instrumentation's reliability and accuracy.

Storing and Handling Additives and Solvents

Because solvents and additives are the critical ingredients in HPLC analysis, the way they are stored and handled is a crucial responsibility. Solvents should be stored in their original bottle. This is typically either borosilicate glass or surface treated amber. When you transfer to a different container you increase the chance of contamination. Leaching alkalines and silica can form adducts in your analytes if you use soda-lime or clear glass bottles. Plastic materials including beakers, funnels, bottles, and gloves can all leach plasticizers, anti-slipping agents and stabilizers, so aside from syringes or pipette tips, these should also be avoided.

Maintaining the HPLC System

The better your HPLC system is organized, the higher the sensitivity you can achieve. Minimizing the amount of dead volume is a crucial consideration. Dead volume is the total of all your system parts between the detector cell and the injector. Peak broadening, splitting, and tailing can create poor resolution. Poor resolution prevents the detection of low-abundant analytes.

Replacing the filter every month or two will protect the system and column from excess debris, as well as lower the baseline noise.

Maintaining the HPLC Column

Depending on detection technique, sample size, and load ability, your HPLC column size dimensions can vary. If you opt for a smaller diameter size you can scale flow rate and injection volume, while improving sensitivity. The chromatographic column is a frequent source of contamination. The negative effects of a column bleed can be mitigated by implementing a washing protocol.

Overall Solvents and Additives Maintenance

Solvents and additives are an essential part of the HPLC process. Solvents from water, methanol, isopropanol, and acetonitrile to additives like acids, buffers and bases enable the analysis to take place.

Properly Maintaining Lab Assets

Laboratory equipment cleanliness is essential to maintaining an accurate and accommodating laboratory . If contamination is noticed, flushing with MS grade solvents can properly clean the equipment.

HPLC Service: Basics of Good Maintenance

Mon, 20 Jan 2020 22:51:12 GMT

High-performance liquid chromatography offers speed, accuracy, and efficiency for a variety of applications. Through the use of a pump, as opposed to gravity, to force liquid solvent through an absorbent material with different chemicals that are separated as they move at changing speeds, HPLC offers many advantages. However, this instrumentation can only provide the fast, accurate results you need when it’s working correctly. This makes choosing the right HPLC service provider a critical task.

Here are a few basics to keep your HPLC instruments running smoothly and performing well.

Understand Temperature

Different applications will require varying temperatures. Good chromatography is dependent on the analyte’s equilibrium during both mobile and stationary phases. Be sure that the temperature for your desired method is specified.

Replace Your Buffers

Higher system pressure or the detection of an elevated background can be the result of aqueous mobile phases that are contaminated with bacteria, mold, or other debris. Changing these buffers daily can eliminate this possibility.

Use a Guard Column

A guard column can be an inexpensive and simple way to extend the life of an HPLC’s analytical column. Guard columns should be changed periodically to ensure they continue to protect the more expensive and complex analytical column.

Monitor the System Pressure

Pressure is a key ingredient in the HPLC process . It’s important to check your system’s pressure on a daily basis. Of course, the pressure will vary based on the method you’re running, but it shouldn’t be substantially lower, higher, or erratic from day to day. Keep a log of each day’s pressure; this information can be vital when it comes to troubleshooting performance issues.

Troubleshoot Strategically

Instead of making a complete replacement of parts and components, take a systematic approach in order to determine the correct repair, as well as the underlying effect. You may think that making a comprehensive part replacement could save time in the long run, but it can be unnecessarily expensive and still leave you looking for the root cause. Instead of replacing the solvent, precolumn, and detector lamp in one fell swoop, do them one at a time, then retest. Troubleshooting this way can save time, money, and lead to the discovery of what is causing your HPLC issues.

A skilled, experienced service provider can be a resource to not only assist in avoiding these problems to keep you up and running but provide the expertise so you can focus on your science. Overbrook is an HPLC service provider with experience and expertise across many HPLC manufacturers.

Refurbished HPLC Instrumentation: How to Make the Best Decision for Your Lab

Tue, 31 Dec 2019 16:35:38 GMT

We’ve all scrolled through Amazon or other websites and stumbled across items that seemed like their price was too good to be true. Whether it’s an iPad, a laptop, an LCD TV or a variety of other items, you’ll notice that the refurbished instrumentation is significantly less costly.

Laboratory instrumentation is expensive but an absolute necessity. Furthermore it has to deliver the accurate results and analysis that your lab needs, making performance a top priority. Refurbished instrumentation is available from top brands like AB Sciex, Agilent, Shimadzu, Waters, and more. This means that you can enjoy the same great performance and proven technology, and at the same time dedicate financial resources to other areas of the lab as well.

Whether for increased capacity or redundancy of mission critical assays, refurbished lab assets allow for the quick and efficient adoption of methods and applisscations in your laboratory. This means that your operations won’t skip a beat, and you can allocate the savings in your budget to other initiatives.

Reconditioned and refurbished instrumentation can commonly be purchased at 30 to 40% of new assets. Even with these savings, it’s important to understand what you’re buying. When it comes to previously owned mass spectrometry and chromatography analytical instrumentation, the certification process is an important one.

It’s critical to trust a company that has experience with the major manufacturers and their product lines. The refurbishment and certification process requires a rigorous and diagnostic undertaking. In order to ensure that you are acquiring a fully functional, reconditioned instrument, the process starts from the inside out.

Necessary steps in assuring a top quality reconditioned instrument are included in Overbrook’s Premium Certification (OPC):

An initial audit and inspection of the asset’s general condition, service history, and previous applications.
Decommissioning and crating by qualified engineers and shippers.
Audit and inspection upon arrival at Overbrook’s facility.
Disassembly of the instrument.
Instrument cleaning and certification.
Professional painting and/or replacement of panels and frame.
Inspection of mechanical, electronic, pneumatic and hydraulics.
Components are rebuilt.
Components are lubricated.
Boards, tubing, valves, lamps, o-rings, gaskets, and any other necessary components are replaced.
Re-assembly of instruments.
Equipment is tested for proper performance.
Administrative and operational documentation is completed and filed for easy reference.

Overbrook evaluates, purchases, certifies, and services a variety of laboratory instrumentation, including:

LC/MS/MS
LC/MS
GC
GC/MS
HPLC /UPLC
ICP/MS
FT/IR
Headspace
Dissolution
TOC

If you are in the market for new equipment, or are looking to trim costs with “new to you” assets, the experts at Overbrook are here to help.

Laboratory Contract Maintenance: Important Questions to Ask

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 21:14:42 GMT

Cars are expensive. Expensive to buy. Expensive to drive. Expensive to repair. This is why dealerships and manufacturers offer warranties. They provide peace of mind and the concept that your significant investment is protected. When you run a laboratory, you make multiple significant investments, and each one drives your productivity, your potential to discover, and, ultimately, your bottom line.When these assets aren’t able to perform, need to be repaired, or are due to be replaced, it can stifle productivity, efficiency, and profitability. However, these risks can be mitigated with a contract maintenance agreement. And just like you’d have a list of questions for your car dealer, and you’d do your due diligence when it comes to agreeing to any warranty, there are some important questions to ask your contract maintenance provider.

Where Does the Warranty End and Contract Begin?

Warranties and any possible extended services, like maintenance contracts, are two different things. A warranty comes along with every instrument and is included in the price. A service contract is an option that covers specific repairs and labor that are not included in the warranty or any repair or labor that exceeds the life of the warranty.

Contract maintenance will typically manage any available warranty coverage for you. However, if you have an issue that exceeds the coverage of your warranty, you are covered based on your contract. This partnership can significantly deter the costs associated with expensive repairs and more expensive replacements. Furthermore, service maintenance contracts can include qualification services and preventative maintenance . This means that each asset in your lab is consistently qualified and prepared to perform through each phase of its lifecycle.

What Are the Terms of the Contract?

Does your service agreement cover everything? Does it cover repair? Monitoring? Preventative maintenance? Warranty management? Something else? Be sure that you understand your coverage with your partner. You need to know if maintenance is covered, if qualification is provided, and if repair is available. It’s essential to know that your needs are met and that your highest risks are mitigated.

What’s the Difference Between Repair and Refurbishment?

If your equipment can be repaired instead of replaced, it can be a valuable cost savings. However, for older assets, refurbishment can be a fiscally efficient initiative. If you’re considering refurbishing older instruments, you should consider these steps.

Submit a comprehensive list of what the refurbishment includes.
Determine ahead of time what “proof of performance” will include after the refurbishment is complete.
Agree on either the length of warranty after the refurbishment or what the extended maintenance agreement includes.
If the asset is to be taken out of service and replaced, ask your service provider if there is an interest in taking possession or disposing of the asset.

A contract maintenance agreement for your laboratory’s equipment addresses two of the most considerable risks to your operation, downtime, and cost. By mitigating the risk of failing instrumentation, both of these threats are reduced. As the lifespan of analytical instrumentation is variable, the quality of the maintenance being provided is a key consideration. This is why Overbrook uses its experience and expertise to conduct periodic maintenance when it’s needed for its clients.

Laboratory Asset Procurement Consulting: Controlling Costs and Mitigating Risks

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 17:23:40 GMT

Instrument procurement is an essential process across every scope of a laboratory. It requires a strategic approach with two ultimate goals; lower costs and acquiring high-quality assets. This makes distinguishing between cost, quality, and risk a challenge. As competition increases and efficiencies become a stronger priority, controlling costs and mitigating the risk of underspending on inadequate resources has become a significant obstacle. So how can leveraging the experience and expertise of a laboratory instrument procurement specialist help?

Establishing Laboratory Asset Quality Requirements

If lower purchase price is the primary motivation, it can end up hitting your bottom line harder with additional maintenance, repair, replacements, and operational costs. Ensuring uptime, the ability to receive preventative maintenance and qualification, and providing accurate, high-performing results should be the top priorities. Of course, controlling costs is an essential factor, but it cannot come at the expense of the reliability, consistency, and performance of your assets.

Due Diligence in Discovering Costs

There are several levels of due diligence that should be met when evaluating and procuring your equipment. The first level should address the basics of the equipment, including price, of any service contract, and the manufacturer’s warranty. Next, identify the type of maintenance that is required, and the costs and challenges associated with that. Lastly, discover where this equipment can be bought and determine the financial viability of making this purchase.

Maintaining Low Costs, High Quality, and Minimal Risk

Performance must continue to be monitored even after your equipment has been procured. The priority of minimizing costs and risks remain in place. Begin by meeting with your procurement partner to discuss the maintenance program that is best for your equipment. Review your current supplier delivery metrics like on-time and quality of delivery services. Ensure that your supplier’s quality management systems are compliant. Be sure that your supplier process recertification is compliant. These audits should also address any potential or new risks.

By working with your procurement partner and creating visibility, you will be able to create an environment where both of your top priorities, addressing cost and risk, can be achieved. The laboratory equipment experts at Overbrook have the experience and resources to ensure that your laboratory mitigates risks and lowers costs while maintaining the quality and performance that you need.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Laboratory Equipment Procurement

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 16:09:16 GMT

Outsourcing different responsibilities can create a lot of benefits. Leveraging the expertise and resources of an experienced, focused partner allows you to focus on what you do best. The right procurement partner can offer an important strategic advantage. Because procurement plays such a significant role in providing the equipment and assets that your laboratory needs, it requires the highest level of oversight and management. Without the proper protocols, procedures, and strategy in place, cost overruns and unforeseen risks can wreak havoc with your operational goals. By taking advantage of the experience and foresight of a laboratory asset procurement specialist, you can reduce costs, mitigate risks, and enhance performance. Here are the benefits that help achieve these objectives.

Overall Cost Savings During Procurement

Cost reduction can be achieved from experienced negotiation and current market and application knowledge.

Reduced Transaction Cost per Purchase

The economies of scale have a direct impact when you procure your assets through a third-party. Further cost savings can be created through the reduction of cost per purchase.

Gain from Knowledge of Product Experience

Suppliers can use their experience of the market to make the best recommendation of products in terms of quality, price, and performance.

Enhanced Communication

Your purchasing partners can communicate clearly with your staff on the procurement process, including asset integration , maintenance, functionality, applications, and more.

Improved Analysis

Your procurement team can offer better information management and purchasing analysis.

Superior Negotiation Skills

Leveraging the skills of an experienced expert can be a valuable asset at the negotiating table. Your partner will know what these products are worth, both on the open market, and to your operations. With this knowledge, they can negotiate as a fiduciary with your best interest in mind.

Streamline your procurement process and improve cost savings along with risk mitigation. The experts at Overbrook have the experience and insight across all laboratory sectors to improve your asset procurement process.

HPLC Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ): Ensuring Data Integrity for Your Laboratory

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 15:26:54 GMT

To ensure a product is safe and meets its intended use, method validation, and instrument qualifications are necessary. Qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ) provide a systematic approach to confirming that each instrument is proven to be accurate and precise. This process should be both scientifically strict, but also straightforward and repeatable.

For instrumentation to be properly qualified, there are a lot of things to consider. The performance of the asset needs to be comprehensively evaluated, while not keeping it out of operation for too long. While the development and implementation of standard operating procedures can be intimidating, a trusted professional service provider partner such as Overbrook can develop a comprehensive and quick qualification standard for your instruments.

Overbrook Support Services offer integrated maintenance and qualification services. With an innovative, multi-platform, harmonized analytical instrumentation model, your current protocols can be utilized or qualification documentation can be customized to ensure your instrumentation’s performance and data is proven to be accurate and precise. Trust your instrumentation qualification needs to a skilled, experienced team, and get the peace of mind you need to continue your everyday operations.

Overbrook Support Services conducts Integrated Maintenance and Qualifications for big pharma, smaller biotech, cannabis testing and pharmaceutical firms. This maintenance contract features Periodic Maintenance (PM) along with Operational Qualification (OQ). An innovative, multi-platform, harmonized analytical instrumentation qualification service for the makes and models of chemical analysis systems we service. The platform incorporates existing manufacturer protocols and/or client’s existing protocols and thus can be customized to fit the intended use in accordance with USP <1058>.

This service offering is especially appealing to labs with multiple vendor (mixed) instrumentation, first time qualification of recently purchased systems, or re-qualification after repair or relocation. Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ), and Validations (IQ/OQ/PQ) uses one standard approach regardless of instrument manufacturer, simplifying protocol administration.

Overbrook Qualification Services Include:

Total Qualification Program (TQP)

The Overbrook Support TQP provides a choice of qualification options for both the GLP/cGMP facility and the pre-clinical laboratory. Properly trained and experienced service professionals can minimize the burden of running a productive and well-maintained laboratory.

Qualifications (IQ/OQ/PQ)

Qualifications can incorporate existing manufacturer protocol and/or client’s existing protocols and thus be customized to fit your intended use in accordance USP <1058>. Qualifications conducted by an independent outsourced service provider, rather than an employee of the company, is important to ensure compliance. Equally important is knowing the mechanics as well as the requirements of USP <1058> .

Installation Qualification (IQ) , Operational Qualification (OQ) , Performance Qualification (PQ) are requested for routine, scheduled qualification of laboratory systems, and for first time qualification of recently purchased HPLC, GC, GCMS, LCMS, LC-MS/MS. Qualifications are done routinely: after component replacement or repair, following a facility or instrument move in a GLP/cGMP facility, and when subject to inspection, audit or review.

Installation Qualification (IQ)

Documented verification that system components and support systems have been installed correctly and completely. IQ is performed In accordance with manufacturer and customer requirements, government regulations and industry standards.

Operational Qualification (OQ)

Documented verification that system components operate properly in accordance with manufacturer and customer requirements, government regulations, and industry standards. OQ establishes confidence that the components are capable of consistently operating within the established limits and tolerances required by the systems they support.

Performance Qualification (PQ)

Documented verification that the total system performs as intended. PQ establishes confidence that the system as a whole is capable of consistently performing within established limits.

With Qualifications by Overbrook Support Services, instrumentation data has integrity, in accordance with manufacturer, customer, government regulatory and industry standards. That’s why some clients have us perform Qualifications on a semi-annual basis. Qualifications assure that general system operations function correctly, audit trails capture correct information, and so on.

Qualifications by Overbrook Support Services Allow Clients to:

Reduce operational costs
Minimize protocol administration burdens
Maintain control with traceability and streamlined support through one service provider. (Traceable calibration of measurement tools, traceable chemical reference standards and standard operating procedures (SOP) are included.)

Sometimes during a Qualification, an instrument fails. In this case, real time failure resolution may be performed by the service engineer on site.

Managing the Needs of Each Laboratory Lifecycle Stage

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 15:51:20 GMT

As people develop and age, the resources and expertise they require changes too. When you are young, you need a pediatrician, as you get older, you need a primary care physician, as well as all types of specialists in between, depending on your needs. The same is true for the laboratory industry. At different points throughout the growth of a business line, priorities will evolve, and in turn, so will your strategies and support systems. These transitions can pose different challenges, and your regular, daily role and responsibilities don’t pause. Many of these new milestones are a full-time job of their own. This is why you need an experienced, trusted, professional partner who can provide you peace of mind through each stage of your laboratory’s lifecycle.

Laboratory Start-Up

Each lab needs the instrumentation and assets necessary to provide the performance and results you need. Overbrook understands the needs of laboratories, especially from their outset. With access and expertise across a wide range of instruments, Overbrook is equipped to consult and supply the physical resources your lab requires.

Operational Laboratory

Once your lab is up and running, it needs to stay that way. Preventative maintenance , monitoring, and asset qualification will ensure that it does. Instead of dealing with expensive repairs, costly replacements, and a critical loss of time, contractual services from Overbrook keeps your equipment optimized and in action. Additionally, regular service extends the lifetime of your assets, further impacting your bottom line.

Laboratory Expansion

At some point in a successful venture, expansion will be inevitable. Relocating your laboratory to a newer or bigger facility is a significant task. There are countless obstacles, challenges, and considerations in a relocation. Knowing what to calculate for, what to expect, and how to mitigate risk is invaluable. The project managers at Overbrook are well versed and experienced in laboratory relocation. They coordinate with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.

Laboratory Maturity

As you grow, creating synergistic production from your current resources is crucial. Spending time and effort on routine maintenance, qualification , monitoring, and repair makes it difficult to capitalize on new opportunities. With managed maintenance from Overbrook, these responsibilities are covered, creating more time for your laboratory to focus on its goals.

Laboratory Closure

When your operation comes to an end, there are many objectives. One is determining what to do you with your laboratory’s assets. Overbrook is well-equipped to assist in the divestment of the lab’s instrumentation and assets. Repurposing this inventory is an essential step in capturing the value of the investment you made in each asset. Laboratory operations in any stage can leverage the experience and expertise of Overbrook .

Planning and Sourcing of Instrumentation: An Asset Integration Assessment for Your Lab

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 14:04:06 GMT

A methodical approach that considers multiple factors can be beneficial for maximizing the useful life of analytical laboratory instrumentation. This is especially true when integrating additional assets in your lab . A key strategic piece of this process is assessing how these instruments will be added, integrated, and optimized to enhance the operation of your lab. This is where the Asset Integration Assessment (AIA) framework comes in.

The AIA takes an objective approach to optimize instrument planning, sourcing, and procurement, as well as the integration of instrumentation into your lab’s workflow for efficiency as well as high performance. This approach needs to consider a myriad of factors that influence an asset’s lifecycle value. It should also aid in decision making that will impact scientific and business outcomes.

The AIA applies to laboratories in all industries and sectors. It covers everything from instrument service, management, replacement, redeployment, and disposal. Here are the features and phases of the Asset Integration Assessment.

Comprehensive in Scope

The AIA framework takes into account many factors and ranks them. Along with other business factors like training, method development, and a variety of other considerations, the best fit for a lab facility can be determined. These factors include:

The instruments and performance of manufacturers
Costs and terms
Warranty
Maintenance and operations
Service record
Age and condition
Utilization level
Clinical acceptability
Technology status
Parts availability (current and future)
Projected annual maintenance costs
Projected reliability (utilization and user training)
Spare parts
Facility specifics
Mission
Science
Go to market plan
Capabilities
Finances

Laboratory Factors that Converge and Diverge

Enhancing the decision-making process is another benefit of the AIA. Many factors can converge and diverge over time; this plan anticipates and accommodates for them.

Retention, purchase, disposition decision improvement
Financial limitations
Anticipate major repairs conducted or known
Competitive pricing considerations
Standardization
Know parts availability problems
Training and in-house maintenance
Utilization rate (and redundancy, if needed)
Footprint in facility (space limitations)
Technology status

Three Phases of the AIA

The AIA consists of three phases: the initial assessment, the operational canvas, and the optimized integration asset plan. Here’s a closer look at all three.

AIA Initial Assessment

The initial assessment consists of a needs analysis used to inventory the current laboratory assets, accounting for age, condition, software, value, criticality, utilization, and service record. The facility and structure will also be considered in this step. It is during this phase that a contextual understanding is achieved to ensure that business needs align with the scientific goals.

Operational Canvas

This phase of the AIA reviews the various factors that impact laboratory asset acquisition, installation, and integration. Understanding how to sort and rank each of these factors helps to prioritize the most important initiative in each situation. To realize business intelligence, the ranking process includes elements like training, utilization, service record, footprint, instrument condition, and criticality. Determining the importance of one factor over another will help to define scope and direction.

Optimized Integration Asset Plan

Once each factor is prioritized according to your specific criteria and business entities, the framework takes shape. This ensures that an asset plan will lead to an optimized integration. It will provide valuable insight that will impact decision making and be a foundation for the actual planning and implementation of your asset plan.

Integrating analytical instrumentation is an essential function for any laboratory. An Asset Integration Assessment framework ensures a successful integration of instrumentation into the laboratory using a holistic performance lifecycle perspective. Overbrook is an experienced, expert laboratory asset management firm that can create and oversee an AIA for your lab’s next integration.

Carrier Gas Conversions from Helium to Hydrogen

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 22:21:53 GMT

We are all aware of endangered species. From bald eagles to white rhinos to California condors, environmental factors, poaching, and a variety of other conditions have created a serious risk of extinction for these animals. On a far less dire note, other natural elements are also in diminished supply. One common and widely used example of this is helium. This helium shortage has been blamed for Party City, one of the nation’s leading balloon and party supply stores, closing 45 stores this year alone. However, this issue extends far beyond birthday parties and balloon animals. Helium is critically useful in several applications. It doesn’t burn, making it ideal for rocket engines. Liquid helium is very cold, so it can cool superconducting magnets. Furthermore, this is the third helium shortage in the past 14 years.

Where Has the Helium Gone?

Many factors have lead to this third helium shortage. Although helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, it is not in the air. The helium found on Earth is actually underground with natural gas. This means we find helium as a byproduct of natural gas refinement. Three-quarters of Earth’s helium comes from sources in Texas, Wyoming, and Qatar. Natural gas production shutdowns in Qatar, combined with helium reserve sell-offs in the United States, as well increased demand, have created the current shortage.

What Options Are There to Mitigate a Helium Shortage?

One way to combat the challenges caused by this helium shortage is with carrier gas migration services. Many chromatographers are transitioning to other gasses to accommodate the lack of helium. When this challenge is understood and addressed, there are suitable and sustainable alternatives. Two of these alternatives are hydrogen and nitrogen. Converting helium to nitrogen or hydrogen through carrier gas migration services is a cost-effective, efficient, and readily available option.

What is Included with Carrier Gas Migration Services?

An initial gas process analysis audit to determine the best gas options.
Explanation of the benefits and considerations of converting to hydrogen or nitrogen to gas suppliers and their applications.
A pro-active implementation plan that includes method development conversion and hardware retrofitting.

A detailed benefit plan will be used to assess the migration of applications that are best suited to the laboratory’s cost and business plan profile.

While the current helium shortage is concerning, it doesn’t mean that your production and operation need to suffer. With carrier gas migration services from Overbrook, you can leverage the expertise and experience of laboratory professionals. Overbrook’s consultation is customized to your laboratory and incorporates best practices. It’s a safe solution that’s already being implemented by forward-looking laboratories.

3 Reasons to Consider Contract Maintenance for Your Laboratory Equipment

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 16:59:53 GMT

Your laboratory’s equipment is what drives the research that your staff can perform. This means that if the equipment isn’t working, you can’t be running samples; which is why uptime is one of the most critical factors in staying in business. However, it’s difficult to achieve maximum uptime if your instrumentation suffers from lack of maintenance or is in need of repair. It’s even harder to accomplish if your staff is tasked with the maintenance and repairs of the instrumentation. This why having a contract service agreement with an experienced, expert partner is so important. You will have access to a team of experts that will provide the periodic maintenance that are essential to the proper functionality of your assets and make any necessary repairs that will ensure that your equipment remains working, and your staff remains discovering. Here are three important reasons to strongly consider a contract maintenance agreement for your lab.

Streamlined, Efficient Service for Your Laboratory Equipment

A contract service agreement for your laboratory’s equipment provides a single point of contact that eliminates all of the friction of juggling the requirements of maintenance and repairs. Whether it be through our Lab Asset Management program, managing multiple vendors, departments, specialties, and timetables or as your vendor of choice for specific instruments, Overbrook can make a complex and inefficient undertaking simple and efficient. With a contract maintenance partner, many of the duties and corresponding administrative tasks can be eliminated; meaning less cost, less time, and more science.

Laboratory Cost Savings

Your lab instrumentation is expensive. If something goes wrong, a repair or replacement can take a significant toll on your productivity. With periodic maintenance provided through a contract service agreement, the amount of necessary repairs drops dramatically. And in the case that an asset does need to be repaired, your service partner will be available to do the required work. This means no more surprise expensive repairs, no more costly replacements, and more time and money to reinvest back into your research.

Improved Performance with Increased Equipment Uptime

When your instrumentation is down, so is your staff. Deadlines get missed, budgets get exceeded, hard work and potential discovery get lost. However, when your equipment is appropriately maintained, and major repairs are avoided, downtime gets mitigated. Knowing that your equipment will be up and running when needed, every time it’s needed, provides not only peace of mind, but enhanced performance.

These are three reasons to leverage the advantages of a contract maintenance agreement for your laboratory’s equipment . Each reason may address different pain points and priorities for each unique situation, and there are many other benefits as well. Reducing costs, improving performance, and increasing efficiencies are all strategic advantages that all organizations can use to create more opportunities. The expert team at Overbrook is here to handle your laboratory’s equipment maintenance and service needs. You no longer need to worry about downtime, missed deadlines, and exceeding budgets, and get the peace of mind that your assets will be ready when you need them.

Laboratory Contract Maintenance Services: Understanding the Benefits of Periodic Maintenance

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 15:12:41 GMT

If you own a car, you’ve likely done some sort of periodic maintenance. Whether it’s an oil change every 3,000 miles, rotating your tires, or simply changing the air filter; the more you drive your vehicle, the more important periodic maintenance becomes. The same is true for the equipment in your laboratory. With a variety of multiple, complex, and precise moving parts in each asset, periodic maintenance is essential to keep them working accurately and consistently. Just like regular oil, filter, fluid, and belt changes will keep your car running for years, periodic maintenance will help to ensure the performance of your lab’s assets. Here's a few of the benefits of regular maintenance for laboratory equipment.

Preservation of Laboratory Equipment

The assets that allow you to perform all of the functions in your lab are essential to your entire operation. With routine, periodic maintenance, you can preserve these instruments by extending their life expectancy. When you can eliminate premature failure and replacement, you not only save on the cost of purchasing new equipment, you save the time it takes to assess, diagnose, and order new equipment; which means you can continue researching and making advancements.

Identification of Potential Failures

The mitigation of surprise expensive repairs begins when the signs of potential failure are discovered. Periodic maintenance creates the opportunity to find a component or system that may be showing signs of trouble. When this is identified, a quick, simple, inexpensive repair can be the difference between continued operation and a complete breakdown.

Reduced Laboratory Equipment Downtime and Operational Costs

We’ve discussed how timely, routine repairs, when necessary, can eliminate the need to make expensive replacements. When your periodic maintenance is scheduled and expected, as opposed to repairs which tend to be sporadic surprises, you drastically decrease equipment downtime. Routinely scheduled maintenance tasks also reduce operational costs. Instead of making a unexpected call to get your equipment back online in an emergency, which can lead to costly labor rates and repair parts, you can budget accordingly for your required maintenance.

If periodic, routine maintenance can save you money in the garage, it can save you time, money, and peace of mind in your laboratory. Leveraging the experience, expertise, and resources of a contract maintenance provider can allow you to get back to what you do best. Your science. Overbrook is here make sure that your equipment stays up, running, and performing so you can too.

The Difference Between Laboratory Equipment Maintenance and Qualification

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 16:36:18 GMT

There are many ways to look at maintenance for your laboratory’s equipment. There is periodic maintenance that is done to ensure that different components aren’t going to fail, rendering the instrumentation unusable. This is the same concept of changing the oil in your car, rotating the tires, replacing the brake pads, and flushing the coolant system. All of these measures are done on predetermined intervals to ensure that each component remains operational. Another way to look at the care taken for your lab’s assets is from the perspective of qualification. Both of these angles are important and necessary, but what’s the difference?

Laboratory equipment qualification is an inspection of a particular asset. It can be compared to having your vehicle inspected. Your emissions system is checked, headlights and turn signals are assessed, and other features of the vehicle are examined to ensure everything works as it should. This is what operational qualification offers for laboratory instrumentation.

Operational qualification (OQ) uses an innovative, multi-platform, harmonized, analytical instrumentation qualification service for different makes and models of chemical analysis systems. With the ability to incorporate existing manufacturer or client protocols, it can be customized to fit the intended use in accordance with USP <1058>. This type of service can be especially beneficial for labs with multiple vendor instrumentation, first-time qualification of newly purchased systems, or the re-qualification of assets after repair or relocation. Protocol administration can be simplified, regardless of manufacturer, with one standard approach for installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ),performance qualification (PQ), and validations.

Let’s take a closer look at these different types of qualification services .

Laboratory Qualification Services (IQ/OQ/PQ)

Qualifications performed by an independent outsourced service provider ensures compliance, as opposed to qualification done by an employee of the laboratory. Understanding the requirements of USP<1058> is just as important understanding the mechanics of each device. Each type of qualification (IQ,OQ, PQ) is done routinely. They are also performed for recently purchased HPLC, GC, GCMS, LCMS, and LC-MS/MS. These services are also needed after a replacement, repair, facility or instrument move, and when subject to inspection, audit, or review. What does each of these types of qualification services include?

Installation Qualification (IQ)

Installation qualification of your laboratory’s assets features documented verification that the system’s components and support systems have been correctly and completely installed. IQ is performed following manufacturer and customer requirements, government regulations, and industry standards.

Operational Qualification (OQ)

Operational qualification of laboratory’s instrumentation features documented verification that the system’s components are operating within the manufacturer’s and customer’s requirements, government regulations, and meet industry standards. OQ will establish confidence that the components are capable of consistently operating inside the limits and tolerances that their supported systems require.

Performance Qualification (PQ)

Performance qualification is verified documentation confirming that the total system is performing as intended. PQ establishes that the system, in its entirety, is capable of consistently performing within the required and set limits.

Qualifications are a critical aspect of lab asset management. They are designed to assure that the overall system and its operation are functioning correctly. Another crucial benefit of qualification is to ensure that audit trails accurately capture information.

Overbrook offers all of the above qualification services as well as a total qualification program (TQP). This program provides a choice of qualification options for GLP/cGMP facility and pre-clinical laboratories .

Qualifications, like periodic maintenance, can reduce operational costs, minimize protocol administration burdens, and maintain control with traceability and streamlined support through one provider.

The expert engineers and project managers at Overbrook use their experience, knowledge, and resources to ensure that your assets remain operational and high performing, while your facility reduces costs and downtime.

Understanding the Benefits of Contract Maintenance for Your Lab Equipment

Wed, 19 Jun 2019 16:21:24 GMT

Your laboratory has a vast array of moving parts. From the processes you follow to the equipment you use, each component makes up the well-oiled machine that fuels your research. While your staff collects, analyzes, and interprets the data across every project, their work can only be as sound and accurate as the instrumentation being used. With deadlines in place, budgets to be met, and progress to be made, having your staff perform maintenance or make repairs is inefficient and impractical. Furthermore, downtime caused by failing equipment can be catastrophic in terms of cost and schedule. It is for these reasons, among many others, why having a contract maintenance agreement from an experienced, qualified provider is so important.

Consolidating your lab equipment’s service initiatives not only reduces costs but enhances the overall efficiency of your facility. Here are some of the benefits that come along with a contract maintenance agreement.

Decreased Laboratory Operational Downtime

Unexpected downtime from equipment failure can completely derail a project. In an environment where time is money and valuable data is at risk, not being able to complete a task, confirm your findings, or operate as required can be an expensive proposition. Downtime impacts your laboratory in several ways and can ultimately influence the perception of the work you do. From the loss of revenue to the hard cost ofl ost productivity to the expense of recovery efforts, the ripple of effect of unusable instrumentation can quickly take its toll. When your equipment is regularly maintained not only is the amount of downtime drastically reduced, potential problems can be mitigated before they become major issues.

Reduced Instrumentation Repair Costs

While repairs may be necessary from time-to-time, regularly scheduled maintenance not only limits the scope and scale of these repairs, it provides an accurate, in-depth record of the history, performance, and future potential needs of each piece. This information will allow you to make informed decisions about whether to repair or replace an asset , resulting in cost savings without sacrificing performance.

Improved Longevity of Lab Equipment

Just like changing the oil in your car adds miles and years to its life, performing routine and preventive maintenance on your lab’s instrumentation can do the same. Preventing premature replacement can be a source of significant cost savings.

Enhanced Laboratory Productivity

When your team no longer has to be concerned about the condition of their equipment, or the potential for asset failure, they can spend more time on what they do best, running their samples. This is doubly as effective if they were previously the ones responsible for troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.

Increased Access to Resources

When you partner with a laboratory equipment contract maintenance consultant, they become an extension of your lab. This means that their expertise, tools, knowledge, and experience are all at your disposal.

Laboratory Relocation Planning [Infographic]

Thu, 30 May 2019 17:32:18 GMT

Peter Drucker once said, “Unless commitment is made there are only promises and hopes; but no plans.” When you embark upon a laboratory relocation , planning is vital. The risk of downtime and cost can be immense, which is why it is essential to understand not only the plan as a whole, but each component and how it works to create a successful outcome. Because a lab relocation is a full-time job, entrusting the process to an experienced team of relocation engineers and project managers is an advantageous consideration. Part of making this decision is determining what you need as a part of your plan, and when you need it. This is why Overbrook developed an outline explaining each phase of the planning process.

From the exploratory phase which includes the scope of the move and timeline development to the commitment stage covers the preliminary cost of the move and contracting; you’ll have a better grasp of your budget and schedule. Next comes the actual activity involved in relocation. Pre de-installation covers the protocols and procedures for removing assets and the necessary documentation, while the de-installation stage includes benchmarking, packing, and moving. Finally the re-installation phase takes place at the landing site.

Ingredients for a Successful Lab Relocation

Fri, 24 May 2019 17:26:19 GMT

A laboratory relocation is a lot like a recipe. For everything to come together in the end, there are steps, processes, and measures that need to be taken. While it’s critical to have all of the necessary ingredients, it’s also key to put them in the right order. Just as there was likely some trial and error when attempting to bake the first cake, the relocation of your laboratory, its equipment and assets don’t have the luxury of a learning curve.

This is why experience matters in getting you from point A to point B on time and on budget. Just like getting your meal from the pantry to the kitchen to the table requires a process, so does getting your lab safely and efficiently to its new location; these are the steps.

Determine the scope of work to be performed (critical to understand the scope and scale of the relocation)

Determine the relocation timeline (timing is crucial to keep your operations on schedule)

Identify the hierarchy of mission-critical assets and placement (understanding what equipment takes priority will help create an efficient plan)

Review the site considerations with Facilities and IT (it’s important to know what to expect and what will be needed in terms of collaboration)

Establish packing protocols and site considerations with movers (communicating the proper handling of the instrumentation is essential to mitigate risk and damage while moving)

Establish EH&S protocols with technicians

Inventory each instrument and its components (each asset needs to be cataloged to ensure everything arrives in the proper condition)

Identify compliancy documentation as required (the proper documentation for compliance completed as necessary)

Confirm site ready preparedness (before moving, the new site needs to be ready for the instrumentation to be delivered and installed)

Benchmark the instrumentation (the instrumentation needs to be benchmarked to establish its condition and performance before it is moved)

De-install and pack instrumentation (instrumentation needs to be properly de-installed and safely packed for relocation)

Move instrumentation (all instrumentation and assets will be moved to the new location)

Unpack and reinstall instrumentation (all instrumentation will be properly unpacked and reinstalled at the new location)

Benchmark, qualify or validate as required post-move (once in the new lab, all equipment will be benchmarked, qualified, and validated as necessary to ensure it is the same condition and operating as it was before the move)

These are all the typical steps that make up the laboratory relocation process . This process is a full-time job, which is why the experienced, expert engineers and project managers at Overbrook handle it for you. With proven strategies and experience, downtime, cost, and risk can all be mitigated by outsourcing your next relocation, restoring your peace of mind.

5 Steps in the Laboratory Relocation Process [Infographic]

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 19:54:12 GMT

Successful laboratory relocations comprise a set of complex, interactive activities that require careful planning, efficient harmonization and proper execution within strict timelines and production schedules.

A well organized and executed relocation process ensures that scientific instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and samples arrive at their destination safely and on schedule and that the new laboratory meets all compliance requirements and is able to become productive as quickly as possible. The infographic below provides a quick overview of the process. You can get a more in-depth look at laboratory relocation from our blog .

Lab Relocation Consultants: Laboratory Relocation from Start to Finish

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 18:39:17 GMT

The efficient harmonization and careful planning required to successfully negotiate a laboratory relocation can be challenging. Bound by a set of complex, interconnected activities and strict timelines, getting your instrumentation from point A to point B safely and on schedule requires a well-executed plan. Your relocation has an origin and a destination, and your relocation support plan should as well. With relocation support from experienced consultants, you can focus on your scientific and business goals knowing that you have lab asset and multi-vendor instrument service experts mitigating the risks and downtime that can accompany a relocation. Here is what your consultant’s relocation support plan should include.

Communications Management for Laboratory Relocation

Establishing communication channels is a top priority. In conjunction with the laboratory personnel team and any contractors, your relocation engineers will develop a process to identify and develop the procedures for decommissioning and recommissioning the instrumentation during the planning and the actual move. This communication plan will also include extensive employee outreach to accomplish the necessary procedures. Your relocation consultants should also provide periodic, written updates in terms of the process and schedule, including new systems and milestones, as well as briefing key personnel on the relocation and new facility.

Laboratory Operations Research

Understanding the needs and operations of your specific lab is crucial. Implementing a discovery process comprised of interviews and questionnaires of key laboratory administrative employees will help to ensure a full understanding of each particular operational requirement. These requirements also include support services like existing maintenance contracts, warranties, PM schedules, and more. This discovery process will also outline any security requirements and mover responsibilities.

Laboratory Relocation Planning & Scheduling

Once a communication plan is established, and the operational needs are identified, planning the actual relocation can begin. Ensuring the continuity of operations while minimizing disruptions and downtime are the top priority. This comprehensive plan should cover all key logistical elements including operational requirements, critical environments, migration of specialized equipment, special equipment vendor engagement, lab schedules and cycles, and more. Your relocation plan should contain everything from packaging and labeling to the final placement of assets at the destination.

Scheduling is a crucial, strategic factor in laboratory relocation. Specific time allocations need to be addressed for each unit that will be moved. Your relocation schedule will include specific lab operational parameters, time and testing constraints, protocols, redundancies needed for multiple-move phases, equipment warranty-vendor requirements, equipment hook-up, equipment testing, and equipment recertification. Lastly, the schedule also needs to be coordinated with the mover and management of the new building.

Laboratory Relocation Budget Development

Of course, as a business, budgeting for an undertaking as important and complex as a relocation is vital. Your relocation consultant should help you develop a budget, offering expert insight and accounting for all direct and indirect costs associated with the migration. As the relocation process unfolds, the budget should be monitored and refined to reduce costs. Vendors and sub-contractors should also provide unit costs for their work, accounting for common scenarios that can increase expenses. All facets of the move need be considered, such as specialty vendors that will be required for the relocation and reinstallation/calibration/certification of your equipment as required by quality assurance and quality control.

Laboratory Relocation Management and Execution

Finally, once the previous steps have been established and put into place, it’s time to move. This part of the process begins by performing a physical inventory of all equipment and accessories. Supplementing inventory documents with photos and video is recommended. The creation of a relocation database is also essential. Categorizing and identifying each asset with a unique number and procedure category is step one. Your categories should include: items that require a special coordinator with a vendor representative, items that can only be off-line for a short period of time and need specific transportation requirements, and items that must be placed in a specific destination location. This database should be reviewed periodically to ensure accuracy.

Once these steps are taken, the actual moving begins. Any unscheduled, user-packed office and laboratory and other loose items, as well as packing equipment and labeling systems, are collected. Lab personnel and movers are overseen and managed by your relocation specialists for the de-installation, relocation, and reinstallation of all equipment at the destination. On-site supervision should also be provided at both the existing and new lab sites throughout the relocation process. To finish, a punch list should be provided documenting all items that left the existing lab and their proper location and connection at the new lab.

Laboratory relocation can be a daunting task with many intricate, moving parts. Leave this work to the experienced professionals that can provide peace of mind. Overbrook provides the support and expertise that lab managers and other stakeholders need in order to stay focused.

Laboratory Relocation Services: What Does a Relocation Include?

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 17:44:14 GMT

A lab relocation is a set of complex,interconnected activities that requires careful planning, efficientharmonization, and proper execution within strict timelines and productionschedules. Understanding the responsibilitiesof handling and moving analytical instrumentation as well as the operationalneeds and goals of your organization is a unique skillset. While managing a lab demands its own set ofskills, responsibilities, and knowledge, overseeing the intricate innerworkings of relocation can be burdensome. This burden is why entrusting the experience and resources of a labrelocation specialist can make moving your lab a successful endeavor, whilerestoring your peace of mind. But, whatgoes into a laboratory relocation?

Exploratory / Scope of Work Stage

The relocation process begins with planning. Having a plan is arguably the most crucialpart of your move. During theexploratory stage your needs, challenges, and goals are defined. Establishing a plan with an appropriatetimeline and associated contingencies should be a priority once the scope ofwork is detailed.

Preparation of Inventory Assets

Preparing each asset associated with therelocation project is essential. Theasset preparation step includes identifying and prioritizing critical assets,planned placement in the new space, packing protocols, and site considerationwith moves documented.

Preparation of Regulatory Documentation

In some cases, regulatory and compliance documentation may benecessary. Some of the required documentationincludes a transfer packet. The transferpacket features test data, an inventory sheet, and special instructionsindicating the unit is ready for transport.

Disassembly of Instruments

Lab instruments and equipment must be safely and expertly disassembled before packing.

Packing

Expert service engineers will coordinate with yourmovers to ensure that your expensive analytical instrumentation is securely andsafely packed.

Moving

The physical transfer to the destination site will not begin until the lab equipment is precisely disassembled and securely packed.

Re-Installation

Upon arrival, each instrument will be benchmarked and requalified as required. All peripheral items, data systems, and consumables will be set up and placed according to your pre-determined requirements.

Overbrook is a seasoned staff of engineers and scientists who understand the internal operations of a laboratory. Maintain your peace of mind and avoid the anxiety and pressure of a lab relocation with a plan and execution based on proven processes and experience.

Laboratory Relocation Specialists: Success Based on Experience

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 16:50:06 GMT

Usually, lab relocations are done during a specific, prescribed time. Without a thoroughly synchronized plan based on proven processes and strong project management skills, costly mistakes in terms of time and money are inevitable. Much like the precise inner workings of a timepiece, with finely tuned gears and springs, the various moving parts of a lab relocation are centered around a list of action items and objectives. These objectives are established in the pre-move and planning stages and drive the critical decisions to be made going forward. However, just like a grain of sand can compromise even the most highly engineered watch, a delay or unforeseen issue during a lab relocation can be a costly event.

To return to your science uninterrupted, you need to determine how to move both on time and under budget, with as few disruptions as possible. With a lab relocation being one of the most costly and critical undertakings in the life of a business, attempting to absorb the burden of managing the complex, interactive tasks can quickly become a regrettable decision. In addition to your existing responsibilities, overseeing the intricacies of a lab relocation is quite a challenge. Furthermore, every relocation comes with its unique issues; however, a skilled, experienced lab relocation specialist can mitigate these problems.

Lessons learned from moving both regulated and non-regulated facilities ensure that planning, moving, and post-move services meet your specific needs and can respond to any obstacle along the way. It is critical to understand that laboratory relocation requires experienced, trained field service engineers, following proven practices and procedures to prioritize objectives, prevent snags, and act accordingly to ensure smooth operations.

A detailed project move plan should cover both the existing location and the destination site. By entrusting a skilled, experienced lab relocation specialist, you can achieve a careful, detailed plan, efficient harmonization, and proper execution, despite strict timelines and production schedules. The business and lab relocation engineers and project managers at Overbrook are aligned to operate with customer outcomes in mind. Our engineering services and project management teams coordinate with your mover to ensure that your expensive analytical instrumentation is securely and safely moved, then requalified as necessary at the destination site. Regain your peace of mind by knowing that your scientific instrumentation, laboratory equipment, and samples will arrive safely and on schedule, whether it's across the hall or the country.