Getting rid of varied practices: How an internationalizing materials laboratory automated its sample labeling

An internationalizing and rapidly growing materials laboratory faced a common growth problem. The company's different facilities around the world used completely their own methods to label important construction material samples. Some employees wrote information by hand with markers, while others typed labels with Dymos or similar label printers and their software. As the number of samples grew to hundreds per day per facility, manual work began to tell in daily operations. Unclear and incomplete labels caused confusion, slowed down analysis, and created unnecessary extra work.

The goal was clear: labeling methods had to be standardized so that all necessary information and project QR codes could be printed automatically directly from the company's LIMS system. In addition, flexibility was desired from printing, as upcoming needs were recognized. The need was also to print on different sized labels, without constantly changing materials.

We tackled the problem by automating data transfer and eliminating unnecessary interim steps. The LIMS system was programmed to create a simple CSV transfer file in the background with the necessary sample data. The Kroko Autoprint integration tool monitors a local folder, immediately grabs new files, automatically selects the correct label template, and initiates printing.

The customer piloted and verified the settings first in one facility, which they were able to share with other facilities the very next week. To ensure that the new system is easy to maintain and distribute in the future, we created a customized installation package for them. This ensured that each facility received exactly the same settings and label templates at once.

Today, the laboratory's daily operations are significantly smoother. Manual typing and labeling are effortless for everyone. When sample labeling methods are consistent, it is also easy for all employees to find the information they need on familiar and clear labels. They perform their work in the familiar LIMS system, and fully consistent, barcoded labels are automatically printed out in the correct size.

The risk of human errors was minimized, as no one needs to try to interpret someone else's handwriting anymore. System administrators are also satisfied: if changes need to be made to label templates, they can easily do so themselves with a user-friendly label editor. This way, consistent quality and a professional appearance are effortlessly maintained throughout the organization.