A Conductor forYour Workflow Orchestra
Using a workflow scheduler to organize and execute
your lab’s automation workflows

Once limited to science fiction, robots and machine learning/
artificial intelligence (ML/AI) tools now exist in labs improving scientists’ lives. Physical and digital automation facilitates
reproducibility of data, which not only improves its quality,
but also helps laboratories meet validation or regulatory
requirements. For the users, workflow scheduling software
enables consistency in their application. These processes,
when automated, also provide unattended 24 x 7 capability(as robots don’t need coffee breaks), reduce user-error, andfree up valuable, highly-trained scientists to walk away andput their time to better use than repetitive tasks.
Features to look for in a workflow scheduler
CapableMany labs don’t have the luxury to purchase a pre-configured fully integrated automation set up for their applications.
This means the automated system was incrementally added
to over time and likely from a variety of manufacturers. A
workflow scheduler needs to talk to the different components
so they work in a cohesive and harmonious manner. A comprehensive interface library (a library of code that enables thescheduler to “talk” to automation-friendly devices) enables
users to integrate the scheduler with the different devices
in their laboratory. This library also serves to future-proof
the system, as devices are easily added or removed asworkflows change.

Your scheduler should also offer data persistence. This is especially important when processes like cell culture handlingare automated. In this case, user defined and system generated data can be assigned to all future generations so that thelineage information is retained during passages.
DynamicAutomation comes in all shapes and sizes. Most manufacturers now offer a range of options, from dedicated workstations for single assay or process all the way up to integrated
solutions with one or more robots interacting with multiple
different types of scientific devices and capable of running
multiple different assays in parallel. When complex workflows are undertaken by automated equipment, a deadlock
situation may occur if an instrument(s) is needed at sametime by two or more process steps. New software is now
available to handle errors on-the-fly, or better yet to beproactive during process design to prevent deadlocks in theThe scheduler also needs to communicate with a Laboratory
Information Management System (LIMS) or other external
applications to aid the lab manager with their complianceor reporting. Modules that offer different user-permission
profiles—such as administrator, expert, or operator—help tosecure data and enable 21 CFR part 11 compliance.

1first place. A good scheduler will have options to simulate aprocess to identify the deadlocks, and then have programming options so the component blocking the workflow canbe parked until the user can intervene. This means the
problem component won’t interfere with the queued steps
coming down the pipeline.
A workflow scheduler needs to be dynamic to maximize
instrument usage to increase overall productivity while
minimizing periods of inactivity. The best way to manage
issues is to have a system in which the user builds their own
dynamic processes. Processes can be programmed to begin
working, even if a particular device isn’t yet available, andthe system will alert the user when the system is available.
Easy to use
Many laboratory staff do not have the time or programming
knowledge to work with a complex scheduler interface. Assuch, a workflow scheduler needs to be designed for ease-ofuse. Touchscreens with drag and drop options make it easy
for users to select (or create) and execute a process, and thevisual interface makes it easy to see the status and workflow at a glance.
SupportAny workflow scheduler that integrates many components
is sophisticated software, and even with the most intuitive
interface users may have difficulty troubleshooting when
their processes don’t work as expected. This means that thesoftware supplier must be available for support, and not justtraining—although that is important, too.

ponents, make sure your support contract helps you withthird party integration.
Other support features to consider in your automation system includes how the manufacturer manages problems. Lookfor a company that offers preventative maintenance in theirservice contract. Also consider what happens if your systemdoes go down and ask if they have temporary replacements,
so you minimize downtime. Finally, ask if your supplieroffers any sort of user-community forum—these communities are invaluable to troubleshooting, sharing pointers oreven new ideas.
Thermo Scientific™ Momentum™ Workflow
Scheduling Software is the solution toworkflow scheduling
All of these features and more are available through Momentum software. This dynamic system offers depth andbreadth of connectivity to improve your data integration.
The software has a proven track record with the ability tointegrate over 450 different instruments, and that number isgrowing. If Thermo Fisher Scientific hasn’t already workedout how to integrate your device, they will work with you to
get your system working together. When you are searchingfor a workflow scheduler, consider Momentum software to
be the conductor to help make your scientific symphony aharmonious success.

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Right from the first contact with your supplier, you shouldreceive support. The sales team should understand yourneeds. Your supplier should also have an applications-team
that can help with your specific applications. Finally, theyshould also offer fully-custom engineering options for yourspecific lab. For systems integrating multiple different com-2