Decentralized management of laboratory automation

摘要

It is generally believed that successful robot users have dedicatedcentralized robotic groups. While such a generalization holds somemerit historically, the availability of newer more user-friendly robotsand workstations in recent years and a more computer-literate workforce today is changing the way that automation can be managed.Decentralization recognizes robots and workstations as additionaltools for all analysts, not a select few. Such an approach initiatesinvolvement and education of more staff with respect to automation.This further ushers the development of automated methods insteadof the automation of manually-developed methods. Decentralizationalso provides local control of resources to address the priorities ofa specific functional group within the department. Both a vision ofthe future, as well as a look at the past, should be considered whendetermining how to manage robotic and other means of automation.This paper discusses decentralized management of robots ascurrently applied and envisioned in a large pharmaceuticalanalytical R & D department.