In the hustle and bustle of a busy research lab, specific equipment seems to mysteriously disappear—it didn’t just get up and walk away … right? Lost or misplaced lab assets can lead to costly delays and compromised research.
Here are the top five lab essentials worth tracking to evade hidden costs:
#1: Pipettes: Frequently referred to as the workhorse of the lab, these small (but mighty) devices are often shared between workstations, making them difficult to track and locate. Hidden Cost: When these devices walk away—or, more likely, are misplaced in drawers, cabinets, equipment carts, and coat pockets—they can cause serious issues. Untracked pipettes can miss calibration schedules, leading to invalidated research and costly QI reports due to the accidental use of uncalibrated pipettes. Plus, replacements can cost $60-3,500, depending on the product type and specialty. *
#2. Benchtop Centrifuges: Often shared between lab spaces and teams, benchtop centrifuges are prone to improper handling and overuse, which is why precise location insights are essential to ensuring compliance with consistent maintenance and efficient asset utilization. Hidden Cost: When benchtop centrifuges go missing, preventive maintenance and necessary calibrations may be missed, potentially leading to malfunctions, delayed research, compromised data integrity, and costly repeat experiments. Plus, replacement expenses can total $1,000-15,000. *
#3. Microplate Readers & Microplate Analyzers: Often found on laboratory carts traveling between labs and experiments, microplate readers and analyzers are primed and ready to make a quick getaway. Hidden Cost: Tracking down runaway microplate readers and analyzers can lead to operational disruptions, as the absence of these devices can halt ongoing experiments, delay research timelines, and result in over-purchasing and underutilization across labs. Replacing equipment of this caliber can also cost labs anywhere between $2,000-150,000, depending on the model. *
#4. Scales & pH meters: Whether measuring pH-dependent processes or precise mass measurements, these tools are essential to lab operations and hold experimental results in the balance—literally. Hidden Cost: Poor asset tracking can disrupt lab operations, especially with equipment like scales and pH meters that require varied and frequent calibrations—sometimes daily, weekly, or annually Without accurate location data, shared equipment may be misplaced or underutilized, delaying workflows and increasing downtime. Plus, replacements can cost $100–1,000+, depending on the device. *
#5. Reagents & Chemical Bottles: These research assets accumulate quickly and in mass quantities, making it challenging for labs to keep track of inventory and location details as they can be stored within multiple locations across facilities. Hidden Cost: Untracked reagents and chemicals can lead to many costly research setbacks, including the risk of chemical degradation, unnecessary waste from unused or expired chemicals—averaging $7,000 a month for some labs—and flawed inventory, leading to over-purchasing. Replacements can cost $50-7,000+, including bottles, their contents, and disposal considerations. *
So, how can labs track down equipment with “legs”? By implementing a real-time asset tracking system, lab managers can quickly and efficiently track down wandering assets, streamline workflows, drive data-supported purchasing, cut consumables spending, simplify cost accounting, and automate physical asset audits. With a Real-Time Location System (RTLS), lab professionals gain precise, up-to-the-minute visibility into asset location—from high-value, static equipment to movable assets and consumables.
Stop playing hide-and-seek with your valuable time and lab equipment! Work smarter, not harder, and save countless research hours and budgetary dollars with IoT-powered asset tracking solutions. Contact us today!
*Lab asset price ranges were taken from global averages, procured from leading equipment manufacturers and providers.
