Spectra - Laboratory Information Management System

What is Spectra?

Spectra is our innovative digital LIMS (laboratory information management system) platform designed to enhance our Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) services. Spectra leverages advanced data analytics, workflow management, and reporting capabilities, utilising learnings to streamline our technical operations and enhance client service delivery.

SOCOTEC utilises the Spectra QEST platform through four integrated applications. QEST Lab serves as our desktop foundation for processing tests, generating reports, and managing billing. QEST Web enables browser-based access to testing worksheets and real-time data entry from any location. QEST Field revolves around our onsite field technicians.

Finally, QEST Field Scheduler optimises our field operations by coordinating technician assignments. This comprehensive digital ecosystem ensures consistent quality and complete traceability across all SOCOTEC operations.

How was Spectra Implemented?

Stage 1: Foundation Building

Core functionality was set up, including field testing, scheduling and invoicing capabilities through QEST Lab and QEST Field platforms. This laid the foundations for the fundamental digital infrastructure required to upgrade our operations.

Stage 2: Materials Testing Expansion

Building upon our initial success, we expanded the Spectra system to introduce specialised material testing functionalities, including gradings and compactions, as well as regular and repeat laboratory testing.

This phase introduced comprehensive laboratory testing worksheets and trained end-users on efficient bulk signing and reporting processes, via QEST Lab.

Stage 3: Advanced Testing & Optimisation

Spectra was further enhanced by incorporating concrete testing capabilities, as well as significantly improving the scheduler application to optimise resource allocation and project management.

How was this achieved?

Throughout all three implementation stages, we maintained a robust development cycle to ensure the project was delivered on time.

To do so, regular weekly meetings were arranged with Australia-based developers to ensure the most was being made of Spectra. There was the production of management reports, showcasing the data-driven insights that could be gained through proper implementation of the system.

Regular training was organised both for individuals and groups, as well as iterations made based directly from direct user feedback and operational requirements.

There was also the creation of a self-service model for custom worksheet creation, enabling agility and responsiveness to emerging needs.

Spectra - Our innovative digital Laboratory Information Management System

The benefits

Spectra has delivered many efficiencies and improvements to our way of doing things, namely:

Digital worksheets have replaced printed and handwritten worksheets – which has removed the time spent on double entry and improves accuracy of data input.
Data gathering has become much more efficient
There’s been far greater transparency within the business, enabling better informed decision making to take place
Huge time savings because of the digitalisation, as well as administrative efficiency improving. Administration time has been reduced and the creation of reports immediately after testing has increased the speed in getting reports to clients.
It has become easier to check field-based results straight away instead of waiting for the technicians to return to the laboratory.
Adding photos to reports can be done straight away by the technician as opposed to waiting for an administrator to carry out the task.

Laboratory Information Management System Benefits

Spectra has delivered many efficiencies and improvements to our way of doing things, namely:

Digital worksheets have replaced printed and handwritten worksheets – which has removed the time spent on double entry and improves accuracy of data input.
Data gathering has become much more efficient
There’s been far greater transparency within the business, enabling better informed decision making to take place
Huge time savings because of the digitalisation, as well as administrative efficiency improving. Administration time has been reduced and the creation of reports immediately after testing has increased the speed in getting reports to clients.
It has become easier to check field-based results straight away instead of waiting for the technicians to return to the laboratory.
Adding photos to reports can be done straight away by the technician as opposed to waiting for an administrator to carry out the task.

What’s next for Spectra?

The benefits listed above are only the first fruits of labour which we have seen from utilising Spectra. Looking ahead, there are many positives; here’s what we are expecting to see in the next wave of improvements:

Customisation Capabilities: SOCOTEC is actively developing custom worksheet creation facilities, enabling the deployment of digital solutions for emerging testing requirements without dependency on third-party developers
Technology Integration: We’re investigating further digital integrations with testing equipment. This would create a seamless flow of data to help eliminate manual entry – all of which would help reduce errors and accelerate reporting timelines
Data Utilisation Expansion: Building on the existing analytics foundations set up, we will expand our use of digital data to generate deeper operational insights, identify efficiency opportunities and enhance decision-making capabilities
Improving the Client Experience: We want to provide our clients with a better experience, and so are investigating the development of additional client-facing features. The aim is to improve engagement and transparency, providing stakeholders with greater visibility into testing processes, results, and compliance status