Integration of SAP into the Laboratory

Workflow
A laboratory management solution
optimizes workflow and leverages
technology to improve various aspects of
the lab, including improving sample
throughput time, reducing errors in
calculations and transcriptions, reducing
overall costs, and improving the ability for
an organization to have a solid compliance
position.
Traditionally, a LIMS has played the central
role in the lab. However, there is a growing
interest in improving the integration of the
lab into the rest of the manufacturing
process controlled by SAP. Through this
deeper level of integration, organizations
see a golden opportunity to better extend
the reach of SAP into the lab while realizing
the benefits associated with improved
integration and automation over the entire
manufacturing process. Recent advances in
technology have made this level of
integration not only feasible and cost
effective, but also flexible enough to not
comprise a labs operational requirements.
We can break the types of laboratory to SAP
integration into three categories the first
category is where a traditional LIMS
manages all aspects of the lab and reports
final results to SAP. The second is where

SAP QM plays the role of the LIMS and

analysts interact directly with SAP QM. The
third is an in-between scenario, where
functionality of SAP QM is augmented by
software such as an ELN, SDMS, and
perhaps even a light LIMS just enough to
give the lab analysts control over their dayto-day operations without the need to
realize the cost and complexity generally
associated with the deployment of a fullblown LIMS.
A middleware software solution such as
Labtronics LimsLink and the Connector
for SAP module is the backbone to any
laboratory SAP integration scenario.
LimsLink is instrument and LIMS
independent, so it can be used to interface
virtually anything in the lab with SAP so
long as there is a means of getting the
information from it, or reporting
information to it.
In order to improve the level of integration
of the lab into the manufacturing process,
the middleware software solution should
also be capable of receiving notifications or
requests from SAP that trigger information
retrieval or initiate work to be completed
by the lab. Examples include the automated
creation of samples and scheduling of tests

Integration of SAP into the Laboratory Workflow

within the LIMS when inspection lots are

created within SAP, the pushing of an
updated work list to a CDS, the execution of
custom calculations whose results get
reported back to SAP, or pre-populating an
Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) with
information provided by SAP in order to
prepare it to accept results of tests to be
performed.
Another capability that some laboratorycentric middleware solutions provide is the
ability for analysts to define calculations
within the middleware application that are
executed automatically as part of an
inspection process within SAP. A common
scenario is where statistical calculations are
incorporated as part of an inspection plan
and reported back to SAP as characteristics
with associated usage decisions.

With a flexible middleware solution such as

LimsLink in place, we can now focus on
the type of procedural control that we want
to have within the lab. One of the criticisms
of SAP QM and traditional LIMS is that they
lack the flexibility to control the analytical
testing process. Whether or not a LIMS is
involved, an Electronic Laboratory
Notebook (ELN) such as Nexxis ELN can
be used to satisfy the need for procedural
control at the bench top. For example,
Nexxis ELN can step the analyst through
testing SOPs while automating as much of
the process as possible, including steps
involving sample preparation, data
collection, calculations, review, approvals
and reporting of results to SAP, LIMS, SDMS
or any other system. An ELN now becomes
the primary tool used by the analyst,
providing significant levels of automation.

Figure 1 An ELN Can be used to Assist

the Lab with Workflow Control

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Integration of SAP into the Laboratory Workflow

An Electronic Laboratory Notebook (ELN) can provide the interface to the Analyst, providing process
control, automating SOPs, managing reviews and approvals, and integration with Lab instruments. The
interface to SAP occurs seamlessly in the background using a middleware solution such as Labtronics
LimsLink and the Connector for SAP module

In order to tie SAP into a laboratory process, its important to understand when and where the
touch points between SAP and elements of the lab exist at various points of a workflow. By
reviewing the various possibilities, integration patterns begin to take shape. The following are
common integration patterns associated with interfacing SAP into the lab.
1. Instrument Driven, where the instrument posts results
2. SAP Driven, where SAP initiates work to be performed
3. Worklist Driven, where the instrument performs work based on a worklist it first
retrieves from SAP, then posts results
The following describes the various types of integrations in more detail

Instrument Driven Workflow

2
1
3

Laboratory
Instrument

LimsLink

SAP

SAP Driven Workflow

1
2
3

Laboratory
Instrument

LimsLink

SAP

Worklist Driven Workflow

Laboratory
Instrument

LimsLink

SAP

1. The laboratory instrument sends LimsLink

test and result data.
2. LimsLink optionally queries SAP for
information such as master data or inspection
point data in order to perform calculations
and later report results back to SAP.
3. LimsLink reports characteristic results back to
SAP.
1. SAP requests LimsLink to perform activity,
such as a request to perform custom
calculations.
2. LimsLink optionally queries SAP for
information such as master data or inspection
point data in order to perform calculations.
3. LimsLink reports characteristic results back to
SAP.
1. LimsLink queries SAP for the series of tests to
be run on an instrument.
2. LimsLink forwards the worklist to the
instrument.
3. Instrument performs tests, sends results to
LimsLink.
4. LimsLink forwards test results to SAP.

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Integration of SAP into the Laboratory Workflow

Although the patterns described below are

instrument focused, similar patterns exist
when integrating LIMS to SAP, ELN to SAP,
and so on. The term Instrument can be used
loosely to describe the system used to
generate information from within the lab,
including physical instruments such as a
CDS, or through a process involving an ELN,
or LIMS.
The integration of a Scientific Data
Management System (SDMS) into the
laboratory workflow provides the ability to
capture and maintain metadata generated
during the analytical process. Each of these
artifacts can provide a reviewer with a
better understanding of how a
characteristic result or usage decision was
obtained. Examples of these information
artifacts include raw data generated by the
instruments, ELN worksheets, Microsoft

Word and PDF documents, images and

reports. Having access to this information
during a review or investigation phase can
provide a high degree of traceability. This is
useful not only for quality assurance and
regulatory compliance, but also as part of
review and approval process associated
with GMP and GLP.
The automated integration of laboratory
processes into the manufacturing process
controlled by SAP is often one of the last
integration points into SAP being
considered. With the advances in laboratory
automation available today, there is little
reason as to why a lab cannot be highly
automated and integrated into the
manufacturing process. The following are
some considerations that can help ensure a
successful integration of SAP into the lab

Figure 2 Incorporating SDMS

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Integration of SAP into the Laboratory Workflow

1. Achieve Management Buy-In This is

required at two levels. First, SAP is a
corporate resource that is used across all of
manufacturing so the type of buy-in and
commitment required to bring the lab into
the fold must be made at a higher level
than perhaps the deployment of a LIMS, or
an instrument interface. The second type of
buy-in is required within the lab itself.
Analysts and lab managers must feel
confident that the solution will give them
the flexibility needed to automate existing
SOPs with the aim of realizing significant
benefits described earlier.
2. Get IT Support Integration of SAP QM into
the lab requires knowledge of SAP QM and,
in some cases, associated SAP RFC calls.
Youll want someone with good knowledge
of SAP QM to ensure that integration into
SAP QM is configured properly and assist in
developing a solution that is consistent for
all manufacturing sites.
3. Start Small, Build on Successes Use an
iterative approach to deployment to ensure
that lessons can be learned early on in the
process and applied as soon as possible. Its
advantageous to test SAP QM integration
into the lab as early as possible in order to
develop standards early on. Starting small is
also a good way of achieving buy-in without
significant up-front costs.

Delivering Results...

Automatically
www.labtronics.com

4. Leverage Vendor Expertise Avoid learning

lessons the hard way. Use the services of
the software vendors who have experience
to help you identify a deployment strategy
that fits your needs, while leveraging the
experience of previous deployments.

Conclusion
The automated integration of laboratory
processes with the manufacturing process
controlled by SAP is often not considered.
However, laboratory integration with SAP
delivers significant benefits to the
organization by ensuring fast, accurate and
automated delivery of data that is needed
for decisions that impact the manufacturing
process.
As we have seen in this article, bringing the
lab into the manufacturing process
managed by SAP can result in highly
automated and cost effective processes.
At Labtronics we are able to provide expert
guidance and assistance as you investigate
and discuss the possibilities of lab
automation within your organization. We
can also provide the tools and the expertise
to deliver a successful integration project whether it is a full scale implementation or
a pilot project that initially focuses on a
small set of instruments and lab processes.

Labtronics Inc.
Tel: (519) 767-1061
Fax: (519) 836-4431
E-mail: [email protected]

Art187-0910-Rev1.0

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