Non-profit research institute seeks laboratory information and management system

We are a DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory and mainly test gas and oil appliances, gas fittings, and fireplaces for biomass combustion. We are accredited for approximately 200 product standards and regulations. We are looking for a laboratory information and management system that increases efficiency in the planning and processing of our diverse and complex testing tasks, is easy to use for all users, and can be adapted as flexibly as possible to our range of tasks.

The software should be usable for the entire process chain from quotation to invoicing. It should be noted that there is already an existing CRM system that is to be used and which should also receive basic quotation data. This can be done via a data interface or by the software only starting from the test order.

The main processes include:

• Customer enquiry
• Quotation
• Order placement
• Test execution with test instructions
• Entry of measured values
• Evaluation
• Report generation
• Project completion with billing

There are also other processes that need to be mapped. These are:

• Test and measurement equipment management with history and links to test reports

This also includes

• Validations and verifications as well as interlaboratory tests, which are necessary for test benches
• Management of the scope of accreditation (which standards/issuance statuses are included, in which reports they are applied)
• Documentation of competencies (proof of training and tests performed)
• Calendar planning for employees and test benches as well as employee time recording.
• Correspondence with the customer regarding specific projects

We have very few automated test benches for which a data connection would be useful. In most cases, measured values and test results are recorded manually.

The test tasks and test samples are very diverse and the proportion of free text in reports is very high. In addition, it can also happen that only partial points of a test standard are required.

There are currently around 20 employees working in the test laboratory. Everyone should have access.