The SMARTRACK^®

The SmartRack^® brings order and structure to your laboratory workstation – in seconds, without tools. For a better overview, safety and up to 47% time savings.

Rethinking Efficiency: LimProve Shows How to Streamline Lab Workflows

Abstract:

How Fraunhofer IKTS reduced laboratory processing times by almost half – thanks to SmartRack^® and the digital workflow solution Samples.

In a pioneering collaboration, the Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS) partnered with Better Basics Laborbedarf and Qualitype GmbH to put a bold idea to the test: How much efficiency can truly be gained by digitizing documentation and reorganizing lab workstations?

The answer: Up to 47% time savings, fewer errors, enhanced reproducibility – alongside improved employee satisfaction and sustainability.

The Experiment: Two Processes, One Goal – Greater Efficiency

Using the complex procedures of methacrylation and mineral synthesis, the team evaluated the impact of smart tools under real lab conditions. At the core of the improvements were the modular SmartRack^® system from Better Basics and the digital lab software Samples by Qualitype. The results were remarkable: Methacrylation test times were cut from 71 to 38 minutes. In the mineral synthesis process, the standard deviation of results dropped dramatically – from 25.9% to just 1.3%.

SmartRack^® – More Than Just Organization

The SmartRack^® is more than just a shelving system – it is an intelligent, modular workstation solution that adapts precisely to the requirements of any laboratory application. Even cramped or cluttered workspaces can be transformed into highly organised, efficient zones – reconfigurable in seconds, without the need for tools.

Thanks to its vertical design, the SmartRack^® creates additional usable workspace within fume hoods, on laboratory benches, or inside safety cabinets.

Each module is purpose-built for specific laboratory materials – from pipettes and reaction vessels to well plates and hazardous substances. The integrated click mechanism allows for secure, single-handed attachment.

With the SmartRack^®, you gain not only an efficiency booster, but also a powerful tool for implementing LEAN management principles. It supports standardised workflows and enables structured access to both equipment and knowledge. The SmartRack^® is the ideal solution for dynamic teams, parallel experiment setups, and demanding research environments.

Samples – Seamless Digital Documentation

The digital counterpart to SmartRack^® is Samples – a software solution that guides lab staff through experiments with step-by-step instructions, integrated videos, and stored process parameters. The result: fast, reliable, and audit-proof documentation – without media disruption.

The Takeaway: The Future of the Lab Starts Now

The LimPROVE project clearly demonstrates: by combining digital sample management with smart workplace design, laboratory environments are created in which efficiency, ergonomics, safety, and sustainability go hand in hand. For the industry, this not only translates into economic benefits but also sends a strong signal of innovation and future readiness.

“At the same time, this approach offers a way to address current and future challenges in the labour market. With Samples and the SmartRack, we have solutions at hand that enable new employees to understand workflows and experimental procedures in an efficient, fast, and precise manner,” adds Ahlhelm.

Read the full technical article on the LimPROVE project in issue 03/2025 of LABORPRAXIS (Vogel Communications Group).

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