Written by
Morgan Lalikos
Introduction
Behind every strong lab is a connected system. Suppliers, equipment, reagents, facilities, test menus, proficiency programs and audits all interact—yet are too often tracked in separate tools. That’s where blind spots creep in such as an expired cert, a missed PM, or a reagent no longer tied to its test method. Operis resolves this by linking the operational elements of the lab in one place—so leaders see what matters, where it lives, and what needs attention next.
The Hidden Cost of Disconnected Ops
Spreadsheets and binders fragment the story: vendor certificates buried in email, equipment histories on paper, facilities data in separate logs, PT records in binders, and test details living in yet another system. The result? Time lost, surprise findings, and inspection stress. Operis replaces that patchwork with connected records of truth.
Meet Operis: The Connected Operations Layer for Your Lab
Operis organizes the lab around real-world objects—suppliers, equipment, reagents, tests, labs/locations, clients, and contracts—and connects them to each other and to the forms and tasks that keep operations moving. Start an audit for a supplier, a work order for an instrument, or a validation for a test. Each activity is automatically linked back to its object, creating a living history that’s instantly reviewable.
How it Works
- Objects & lists: Add your vendors, instruments, reagents, tests, PT kits, lab locations and more to organized lists with shared properties (e.g., serial number, lot/expiry, certificates).
- Primary connections: Launch events and forms for a specific object so every audit, maintenance log, or qualification lands in the right place—no duplicate data entry or guesswork.
- Smart forms & choices: Forms can pull live options from your vendor/equipment/test lists, so answer choices always stay in sync with reality.
- To-do automation: See unlocked lists/items, missing required fields, assigned tasks, and due work at a glance—plus an audit trail and email notifications by role.
- Public links (optional): Share a read-only test menu or location page via URL/QR when you want external stakeholders to see approved, current info.
Key Benefits of Operis
- Always Inspection-Ready: Digital, connected records mean labs can demonstrate compliance on demand.
- Total Traceability: From suppliers to reagents to equipment to PT, every element is linked for end-to-end visibility.
- Operational Efficiency: Automated reminders and renewals reduce manual work and prevent costly oversights.
- Consistency at Scale: Standardize processes across multiple labs and sites, ensuring uniform quality.
- Proactive Risk Prevention: Identify gaps before they become problems, and link corrective actions directly to workflows.
High-Impact Use Cases
Operis supports a variety of use cases including:
- Supplier / Vendor management: Onboard, qualify, re-qualify, and track certs—always tied to the reagents/equipment they supply.
- Facilities, audits & inspections: Map building → floor → room; run audits for a location; see equipment and activities in context.
- Test menu governance: Centralize test metadata and connect validations, reagents, instruments, and SOP links in one record.
- Equipment lifecycle: PM schedules, repairs, calibrations, downtime—logged and inspection-ready from purchase to decommission.
- Reagents & BOM: Tie lots/expirations and suppliers to the tests they support for end-to-end traceability.
- Proficiency Testing (PT): Track analyte/method coverage, shipments, staff rotation, submissions, and failure investigations with linked evidence.
Built for Compliance, Not Just Convenience
Operis was designed to support real laboratory operations and accreditation—linking documentation, tasks, and events to the operational objects inspectors ask about (e.g., vendor quals, equipment logs, test validations, PT evidence) and maintaining an immutable audit trail. It supports key requirements across ISO 15189, CAP, and CLIA, helping laboratories not only prepare for inspections but also stay compliant year-round.
Integration with your MediaLab by Vastian suite
- Document Control: Link SOPs/policies directly to objects (e.g., an SOP for a specific analyzer).
- InspectionProof: Surface Operis records on readiness dashboards for one-click evidence during surveys.
- IQE: If you also run IQE, use Operis objects as primary connections and answer choices in NCEs, complaints, CAPAs, and more—so quality events roll up cleanly to the right vendor, instrument, test, or location.
Conclusion
In an era where labs face increasing regulatory scrutiny and rising operational demands, disconnected systems are no longer enough. Operis provides a unified, connected approach that simplifies operations, ensures compliance, and builds confidence for labs of every size.
Ready to replace spreadsheets and data silos with a connected, inspection-ready solution? Book a demo of Operis today.