Summary: The Thermo Scientific Connect Edge is an advanced hardware upgrade for the InstrumentConnect platform, designed to provide enhanced remote monitoring capabilities and integration options for laboratory equipment.

Takeaways:

  1. Enhanced Connectivity: Connect Edge serves as an OPC UA server, enabling the transmission of vital data to cloud or on-premise systems and allowing monitoring of up to 10 laboratory devices through Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
  2. Improved Efficiency: The platform helps laboratories scale operations efficiently while maintaining a comprehensive view of performance and quality, supporting proactive equipment management and sample protection.
  3. Integration and Productivity: Connect Edge facilitates seamless integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and building management systems (BMS), aiding in informed decision-making, optimizing resources, and extending equipment lifecycles.

Thermo Fisher Scientific announced the launch of Thermo Scientific Connect Edge enhanced hardware for the InstrumentConnect 24/7 laboratory equipment remote monitoring platform. 

Connect Edge delivers advanced capabilities as an Open Protocol Communication Unified Architecture (OPC UA) server for users to send vital data to their cloud or premise-based systems including laboratory information management systems (LIMS) or building management systems (BMS). Connect Edge will also make it possible to monitor 10 or more laboratory devices from a single gateway using Ethernet or Wi-Fi. InstrumentConnect is compatible with 700 Thermo Scientific equipment models and growing, according to Thermo Fisher.  

To help meet efficiency gains of labs without compromising quality, Connect Edge is the latest enhancement of the InstrumentConnect platform, allowing labs to scale their operations while maintaining a holistic view of performance and quality.  

Key applications include: 

  • Monitoring equipment telemetry data to empower proactive equipment management 
  • Receiving system-based sensor and event data to enhance sample protection 
  • Viewing data in the Cloud or integrating with on-premise systems using OPC-UA protocol 

“This enhancement to our lab monitoring solution integrates laboratory equipment and operational management, allowing lab technicians to make more informed decisions, improve safety, optimize lab resources and ultimately drive increased productivity,” says Federico Dorati, senior director and general manager, Instrument Enterprise Services at Thermo Fisher. “These insights also directly impact laboratory equipment expenditures, flagging when service is needed to help extend the lifecycle of laboratory equipment. By enabling lab directors to take a more proactive and holistic approach to their lab operations, the InstrumentConnect platform continues to adapt to meet the needs of the lab of the future.”

Further reading: Thermo Fisher Unveils Semi-Quantification Analysis for ICP-OES

Featured image: Product photo of what the Connect Edge system looks like to researchers when set up. Image courtesy of Thermo Fisher Scientific