With SmartRack®, the preparation phase was much more efficient as all the necessary materials (cornmeal, spatula, graduated cylinder, agar, culture plates, pipettes, sugar solution) were organised and readily available in the SmartRack®. The ergonomic design made pouring media much easier, reducing physical strain and strain-related illnesses. Storing swabs in the SmartRack® storage box minimised the risk of sample mix-ups and contamination during the procedure. The modular components were easily autoclaved in the post-experiment cleaning area after the experiment and prepared for future use with minimal downtime.
The absence of SmartRack® resulted in increased searching and walking around the lab to locate materials and bring them to the workstation. The lab space showed a lack of organisation in terms of where materials and equipment were stored. The work area was crowded and offered less protection against spillage and sample exchange. Manual pouring of culture media proved to be less ergonomic. Sample organisation was challenging and placed a greater burden on laboratory staff.