Unlocking the Power of IoT Data with AI in Life Sciences
In the 21st century, data is arguably the greatest resource businesses can leverage to improve operations, enhance their offerings, and boost profitability. In life sciences, the value of data extends even further – from improving facilities to enhancing employee satisfaction along with the quality and usage of equipment and space.
The first step in harnessing data is digitizing pharmaceutical environments with automation and Internet of Things (IoT) powered solutions. Then, by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with IoT, laboratories can supercharge their data capabilities, enabling more intelligent predictive maintenance, inventory planning, optimized asset and space utilization, and more. Here are three ways IoT solutions drive value for laboratories and insights on how AI can further maximize these benefits.
Garner Efficiency and Reduce Downtime
Getting the job done right starts with the right tools for the job. But what if these tools can’t be found? Such is the plight of scientists, who often struggle to locate critical lab equipment and supplies in complex laboratory facilities. IoT-enabled real-time location systems (RTLS) can help address this challenge by providing real-time data on the location of equipment via active asset tags. As a result, staff can more efficiently locate assets, mitigating research delays and unnecessary downtime while enhancing utilization rates. Asset tracking solutions also pave the way for layering on insight into asset availability and usage patterns, enabling lab managers to make informed purchasing decisions to optimize budgets and resources. For example, suppose there are five workbenches configured for scientists, but the utilization data shows that the placement of an asset leads to higher utilization. In that case, it arms lab managers to act in multiple ways, including optimizing service for the overused asset and reallocating or relocating the underutilized asset.
Automate Manual Processes
Automation is pivotal for modernizing lab processes. By replacing time-consuming, manual tasks with IoT-powered solutions, laboratories can save time and money while boosting productivity and resource availability. Take digital temperature monitoring, for example, which helps ensure the functionality of cold storage environments like ultra-low temperature freezers.
In laboratories, many items, such as samples and biological matter, require precise temperature control. With IoT-enabled temperature monitoring, lab operators can remotely monitor cold storage units and receive real-time alerts if temperatures deviate from set threshold, enabling quick resolution to mitigate loss. With these systems in place, delicate, costly research can be protected while reducing the risk of human error.
Maximize Space Utilization
Laboratory design is essential for the efficiency, safety, and adaptability of lab operations. But, achieving the right design is a complex and ongoing challenge, as laboratories must frequently adapt to changing research, personnel, and equipment needs. IoT solutions offer a powerful tool for optimizing space utilization, providing data-driven insights that facilitate smarter layout decisions and more efficient use of resources. For example, privacy-centric occupancy sensors can provide visibility into space utilization trends, helping lab managers identify underutilized spaces that could be repurposed, as well as high-traffic areas that may be creating bottlenecks. By leveraging IoT technology to understand occupancy and utilization rates, laboratories can enhance their adaptability and ensure they meet evolving operational demands and growth.
AI Meets IoT to Supercharge Data
Generating robust asset tracking and utilization data is just the beginning of value realization for lab operation teams. By applying AI to the vast amounts of data generated by IoT devices, labs can extract deeper insights that drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve decision-making.
For example, take equipment utilization data, which includes tracking factors such as frequency of use, temperature fluctuations, and maintenance schedules. AI-powered algorithms can analyze these data points to predict when equipment will likely require servicing, enabling proactive maintenance that minimizes downtime and extends asset lifespan. This predictive approach helps labs avoid costly disruptions while ensuring critical instruments remain operational. AI also plays a crucial role in anomaly detection, automatically flagging equipment performance or environmental conditions irregularities. Whether it's a sudden deviation in a freezer’s temperature or an unexpected spike in energy consumption, AI can alert lab managers in real time, enabling swift corrective actions before issues escalate.
Beyond maintenance, AI can help enhance long-term asset planning and budgeting. For example, AI can forecast future equipment needs by identifying usage trends and historical wear patterns, helping lab managers optimize procurement strategies and allocate resources more effectively. This prevents unnecessary expenditures on underutilized assets while ensuring high-demand equipment is readily available.
By combining AI with IoT-driven insights, life sciences organizations can transition from reactive decision-making to a data-driven, predictive approach—ensuring smarter resource management, reduced operational costs, and optimized lab efficiency.
MachineQ for Smart, Connected Labs
Contact MachineQ today to learn more about proven IoT solutions enabling life sciences organizations to capitalize on data, save on costs, and streamline operations.
