Yokogawa to Release OpreX Informatics Manager, Enabling Integrated Management of Experimental Data and Research Resources in the Cloud

Tokyo, Japan - June 22, 2023

Yokogawa Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6841) announces the development of OpreX™ Informatics Manager, a new platform in the OpreX Connected Intelligence lineup that will enable the integrated management of research data in fields such as life sciences and chemistry. With functions for the management of documents, projects, skills, and schedules, OpreX Informatics Manager will improve the efficiency of research resource management and enhance laboratory automation. This product will be released for sale in late July.

OpreX Informatics Manager administrator dashboard
Zoom

Development Background

When research and development work is undertaken, the data that is generated in all kinds of experiments and validation activities must be documented. While laboratories used to record all this data on paper, it is now preferred to keep this data in digital form so that it can be easily shared with and utilized by personnel working in activities such as production and quality assurance. For the sharing of this information, conventional laboratory informatics systems have had to link with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), electronic laboratory notebooks (ELN), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and the like. Based on its long track record in providing instruments for use in life science research and solutions for pharmaceutical production and quality management, along with the know-how acquired as a systems integrator serving a range of industries, Yokogawa has addressed this need with the development of this system that enables the integrated management of information and supports the automation of work performed in labs.

Product Features

1. Simplified information sharing through integrated management of information in the cloud
   A document management function integrates the handling of all data, documents, and related information. This facilitates the creation, import, version management, and approval workflow processes for documents and diagrams, and stores the files in the cloud. It can also link to experiment and test data-related reference literature and standards. With this functionality, the digitalization of all tasks is assured and information sharing not only within R&D but also with personnel engaged in production, quality control, quality assurance, and other functions is possible. With the reporting function, data can be listed up for export or printing. To ensure security for the storage of data in the cloud, multi-step user authentication, automatic data backup, and security linkage with microservices are provided.
2. Management of people, things, and other project resources
   Project and task management functions control the execution of all kinds of tasks involving experiments, standard procedures, and documentation. When these tasks are to be executed, the administrator issues a work request to users of this software based on the required skills and availability of personnel. The software supports the optimal allocation of resources for the execution of tasks by linking information on the required devices, reagents, and examination objects. Administrators can easily manage the progress of user tasks from a dashboard. And for auditing purposes, it is possible to create lists at the system, project, and task level on who and when performed a task.

   
   Work allocation based on user skills
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3. Workflow customization and templates
   This product can be used with standard as well as customized templates. It provides the flexibility needed for all kinds of R&D situations and supports the standardization of work. Templates for experimental methods, procedures, documents, and workflows can be created simply through the import and export of Word, Excel, and other kinds of files. If there is a change in a workflow, it is possible to create customized screens and modify the workflow by dividing procedures into blocks and simply and conveniently dragging and dropping them into place. Templates are version managed, and when they are updated, the latest version is displayed in the template list.

Hiroshi Nakao, a Yokogawa Electric vice president and head of the company's Life Business Headquarters, said, “OpreX Informatics Manager links data, work, and people, and helps our customers digitally transform their operations. It enables the sharing of data not only within a laboratory, but also with other departments such as production and quality assurance, and facilitates lab automation and smart manufacturing by enabling integrated management in a single system.”

Major Target Markets

Pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, chemicals, life science, petrochemicals, etc.

Applications

Management of documents, projects, skills, tasks, inventory, etc.

About OpreX

OpreX is the comprehensive brand for Yokogawa's industrial automation (IA) and control business. The OpreX name stands for excellence in the technologies and solutions that Yokogawa cultivates through the co-creation of value with its customers, and encompasses the entire range of Yokogawa's IA products, services, and solutions. This brand comprises the following five categories: OpreX Transformation, OpreX Control, OpreX Measurement, OpreX Execution, and OpreX Lifecycle. OpreX Informatics Manager is an OpreX Connected Intelligence family product in the OpreX Transformation category, which delivers operational excellence throughout an enterprise's activities, from production through to supply chain optimization and risk and business management.

 

About Yokogawa

Yokogawa provides advanced solutions in the areas of measurement, control, and information to customers across a broad range of industries, including energy, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, and food. Yokogawa addresses customer issues regarding the optimization of production, assets, and the supply chain with the effective application of digital technologies, enabling the transition to autonomous operations.
Founded in Tokyo in 1915, Yokogawa continues to work toward a sustainable society through its 17,000+ employees in a global network of 129 companies spanning 60 countries. For more information, visit www.yokogawa.com

The names of corporations, organizations, products, services and logos herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Yokogawa Electric Corporation or their respective holders.