Remote Monitoring and Smarter Working Practices
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Thermo Fisher have recently released the Centri-Vue remote monitoring app. The app allows a customer to remotely monitor their Sorvall LYNX centrifuge, with the ability to sync up to 100 centrifuges to the app. This introduction highlights the benefits of incorporating remote monitoring into the lab, such as allowing the user to carrying out other tasks whilst monitoring centrifugation runs.
To discuss why remote monitoring is a crucial step forward in developing smarter working practices we spoke to Phil Hutcherson, Global Product Manager at Thermo Fisher .
PH: Our Centri-Vue app provides researchers with real-time connection to up to 100 networked Thermo Scientific™ Sorvall™ LYNX superspeed centrifuges. From their smart device, users can remotely monitor the current status of their centrifuge, locate an available instrument for a new run, and even securely start and stop a current run. Users can also view the interface of the centrifuge on their smart device, allowing them to check for diagnostic messages or other errors that could occur during a run. The first release of the app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
JR: How will the introduction of this app facilitate the movement to smarter working practices for users?
PH: The need to continuously check on centrifuges can be time-consuming and inconvenient for many researchers, especially when it means having to pause another task. Our Centri-Vue app provides a practical solution to this common inconvenience faced by researchers every day. Users can now check the run status or locate an open instrument without having to leave their office or lab space. For those who are worried about their centrifuge stopping in the middle of a run, the app also informs users of any diagnostic errors or interruptions that cause disruptions.
JR: Laboratory automation and remote accessibility are becoming more and more common place. Do you think that adopting these methods will have a noticeable impact on your clients’ productivity?
PH: One of the biggest challenges that we have noticed for many of our customers is that they tend to have many centrifuges spread out over a very large space, sometimes even over multiple floors. When in the middle of an experiment, the need to locate an idle instrument or monitor the progress of a run can be disruptive. With the Centri-Vue app, users can conveniently perform all these functions from their mobile device, ultimately boosting their productivity in the lab.
JR: Remote monitoring opens up the possibility of virtual, long distance collaborations. Do you believe that this kind of partnership will become the norm as the capabilities of remotely monitored system increase?
PH: Just as we’ve seen the concept of distance-learning and working remotely rise in the past few years, it’s likely that long distance collaborations will become the norm in academic research in the future. Remote monitoring systems have the ability to dramatically speed up the exchange of information and ideas between leading researchers, removing any potential barriers due to their geographical location. Distance collaborations can particularly benefit the fast-paced and competitive field of biopharmaceuticals, where such technologies will accelerate the pace of research and drug discovery.
Phil Hutcherson was speaking to Jack Rudd Editor for Technology Networks.
