15 Best Lab Inventory Management Software

Consider you're in the middle of a breakthrough experiment, but supplies are mysteriously missing, and you’re scrambling through chaotic drawers. Sound familiar? This kind of disarray can seriously hamper your research data management efforts. Fortunately, Lab Inventory Management Software offers a way out of this mess, ensuring you can focus on the task. This guide will explore how this technology can help you write and research efficiently with AI.

Otio's AI research and writing partner can help streamline your lab operations and enhance your research efficiency, making those chaotic moments a thing of the past.

Table of Contents

• What is Lab Inventory Management

• Importance of Lab Inventory Management

• 15 Best Lab Inventory Management Software

• 7 Tips for Managing Lab Inventory Efficiently

• Supercharge Your Researching Ability With Otio — Try Otio for Free Today

What is Lab Inventory Management

Lab inventory consists of the diverse materials, equipment, and reagents essential for conducting research in a lab. This includes chemicals, solvents, glassware, plasticware, equipment, reagents, and consumables like pipette tips and gloves. Effective lab inventory management demands precise records of all items, tracking their quantity and location in the lab. It’s about managing inventory levels, ensuring timely reordering, and optimizing space. Accurate records help monitor inventory, identify reorder times, and prevent shortages. This saves time and resources and boosts productivity by ensuring researchers have what they need.

The Goal of Inventory Management

Inventory management plays a crucial role in supply chain management. The objective is maintaining the right resources to prevent shortages while operations are underway. Efficient inventory management reduces costs by ordering only what’s needed, minimizes excess stock, optimizes the workspace, and enhances productivity. Plus, it ends the repetitive questions about stock or sample conditions and locations.

Streamlining with Lab Inventory Management Tools

To maximize lab inventory management, it’s wise to use dedicated tools. These solutions streamline overall lab management, enabling labs and research institutions to handle inventory tasks efficiently. They reduce costs, increase productivity, and ensure more accurate inventory monitoring. Lab inventory management system allows labs to track inventory, assess stock levels, and eliminate inaccuracies. From labeling and documentation to maintaining records and databases, these tools can help you manage your inventory effectively.

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Importance of Lab Inventory Management

Why Lab Inventory Management Matters 

Keeping track of your lab’s inventory is no walk in the park. That’s why it’s crucial to use straightforward procedures. The right lab inventory management practices ensure you always know what you have, preventing the panic of running out of essential materials. They also stop the lab from becoming a storage room by analyzing and predicting future demand, helping to avoid overstocking and understocking. This efficiency trickles down to lab staff, boosting productivity and saving time and money. An effective inventory management system enables you to make smarter decisions, improving overall efficiency.

Get Rid of Manual Data Entry

Handwritten lists and Excel sheets should be left in the past, as they’re prone to human error. In a modern lab, digitalized inventory management is the way to go. By automating processes, lab techs can focus on more pressing responsibilities. Barcode readers and QR scanners can handle the time-consuming and error-prone process of cataloging lab inventory. Once scanned, all the necessary information is automatically added to the inventory management software, eliminating the need for manual data entry.

Real-time Inventory Tracking

When data enters your lab inventory management system, it’s instantly available to authorized users. This quick, hassle-free process allows lab technicians to see how many supplies and samples are in storage at any time. This functionality also enables lab managers and authorized technicians to track lab workflows in real time, significantly reducing the risk of sample loss, inventory shortages, or overordering.

Planning Inventory Demand

Digitalized lab systems let you maintain the right level of supplies without constant monitoring. You can set alerts for when supplies are running low, allowing you to plan your inventory demand confidently. With all the information safely stored, you can use data analytics to track supply usage patterns and predict future demand.

Scheduling Equipment Maintenance

Following a maintenance schedule for lab equipment can be challenging, and paying attention to it can result in costly downtime. A lab inventory management system helps you create a list of equipment that requires maintenance based on its current state and the manufacturer’s recommendations. When it’s time for maintenance, the app sends a notification and assigns responsible specialists. This prevents expensive repairs and prolongs the life of your lab equipment.

Supercharge Your Researching Ability With Otio — Try Otio for Free Today

Otio solves the problem of content overload by providing a single AI-native workspace for researchers. It allows you to collect various data sources, extract key takeaways through AI-generated notes and Q&A chat grounded in sources, and create draft outputs using your collected sources. 

Otio helps researchers go from the reading list to the first draft faster, accelerating the process of writing research papers and essays. Its top features include AI-generated notes on all bookmarks, the ability to chat with individual links or entire knowledge bases like ChatGPT, and AI-assisted writing. Try Otio for free today to see how it can be your AI research and writing partner.

15 Best Lab Inventory Management Software

1. Otio: Your AI Workspace for Research and Writing

Otio addresses the chaos of content overload researchers and students face. It acts as a unified AI-native workspace, helping you gather data from various sources like bookmarks and videos, extract essential information with AI-generated notes, and produce draft outputs quickly. Otio is designed to get you from reading lists to first drafts and even accelerate writing research papers or essays.

2. Lanexo: Ensuring Safe and Compliant Lab Operations

Lanexo is a robust solution for managing lab inventory, safety, and compliance. It optimizes laboratory efficiency, guarantees storage compliance, and maintains high-quality testing processes. One standout feature is its ability to alert you to non-compliance with storage, ensuring all inventory items meet industry standards.

Pros

• Smart Seal Labels for rapid registration

• Automatic expiry calculations

• Comprehensive compliance checks

Cons

• Primarily focused on compliance, it may not suit all inventory needs

• Requires investment in compatible hardware

3. Quartzy: Streamlined Lab Operations at Your Fingertips

Quartzy improves lab efficiency by digitizing workflows and reducing time to market. Its customizable platform serves labs, academic institutions, and biotechs, centralizing operations and letting staff focus on research over administrative tasks.

Pros

• Customizable request fields and approval flows

• Integrates with financial apps like QuickBooks

• Personalized onboarding support

Cons

• Best suited for labs with complex workflows

• It can be overkill for minimal labs or projects

4. Lockbox LIMS: Comprehensive Inventory Management Made Easy

Lockbox LIMS offers a 360-degree inventory management system tracking your lab’s kits, reagents, chemicals, and supplies. With protocol functionality, you can automate inventory creation and monitor consumption, making it a powerful tool for labs of all sizes.

Pros

• Real-time inventory tracking

• Automated alerts for low inventory

• Customizable inventory status

Cons

• It may require integration with other LIMS software

• It could be complex for simple labs

5. ChemInventory: Simplifying Chemical Inventory Management

ChemInventory is a cloud-based solution for managing chemicals in your lab. It lets you search for compounds by various identifiers and assigns unique barcodes to containers for seamless tracking.

Pros

• Comprehensive search capabilities

• Secure with AES-256 encryption

• Large storage allocation

Cons

• Focused on chemical inventory; not suitable for other materials

• Requires reliable internet access

6. BSI Systems: Integrated Specimen Management for Labs

BSI Systems tracks the entire lifecycle of biological specimens, supporting everything from receipt and storage to processing and destruction. It integrates seamlessly with clinical trial management software and offers centralized tracking through the BSI Hub.

Pros

• Unlimited repository sites

• Scalable and customizable

• Integrations with external systems

Cons

• Primarily for biological specimens, not general inventory

• It may require training for effective use

7. BxInventory: Boosting Lab Productivity with Smart Inventory Tracking

BxInventory is an intuitive system that tracks spending, automates ordering, and locates inventory quickly. It’s designed to enhance productivity for principal investigators, lab managers, and students.

Pros

• Drag-and-drop interface

• Compatible with barcodes and RFID

• Advanced search functions

Cons

• It may not fit all lab types

• Focus on user-friendly design might limit advanced features

8. iLab Inventory Management: Simplifying Sample Tracking

iLab Inventory Management streamlines lab inventory by tracking sample locations through barcoding. It saves time by calling up sample metadata and improving your ordering system’s efficiency.

Pros

• Easy sample location tracking

• Single system for reviewing orders

• Spending analysis included

Cons

• Primarily for labs with sample-heavy workflows

• Requires barcode setup

9. ATGC Lab Labs Inventory: On-Premise Solution for Lab Management

ATGC Labs provides an on-premise solution for real-time inventory management and forecasting. It’s ideal for science and engineering labs, offering complete control over operations and inventory tracking.

Pros

• RFID integration

• Comprehensive MRP module

• Forecasting capabilities

Cons

• Requires on-premise setup

• Best for larger or more complex labs

10. LabSuit: Customizable and User-Friendly Inventory Management

LabSuit maps your lab’s location hierarchy and lets you customize inventory types for easier tracking. It automatically backs up inventory sheets and accommodates any data type, offering powerful search filters for user convenience.

Pros

• Customizable inventory types

• Automatic email backups

• Easy to start for new labs

Cons

• Basic features might not suit all needs

• Limited to simple inventory management

11. Vertere Inventory Management: Comprehensive Chemical Tracking

Vertere offers a dual-purpose solution for lab and chemical inventory management. It uses barcodes for easy tracking and complies with the Globally Harmonized System for chemical classification.

Pros

• Multiple inventory modules

• Mobile access and barcode enabled

• Real-time regulatory reporting

Cons

• Focus on chemical inventory may not suit all labs

• Requires GHS compliance setup

12. Labstep: All-in-One Research Environment

Labstep is a modern platform offering full-featured inventory management alongside tools like electronic lab notebooks and LIMS. It tracks reagents and samples down to the batch level, creating customizable categories and managing order requests.

Pros

• Unlimited storage

• Dedicated account manager

• API and integrations available

Cons

• Comprehensive features might overwhelm small labs

• Requires subscription for full access

13. Lab Symplified: Tailored Inventory Management for Labs

Lab Symplified is explicitly designed for lab professionals, streamlining inventory management and improving patient care. It tracks reagents from acquisition to expiry, generating usage reports and personalized notifications.

Pros

• Inventory analytics included

• Lot tracking and verification

• Centralized platform

Cons

• Specialized focus may not suit all labs

• Requires setup for specific lab departments

14. Atellica Inventory Manager: Automated Inventory Control

Atellica provides automated, real-time control of reagents and consumables across multiple lab locations. It uses cloud-based software and RFID technology to simplify inventory processes and improve lab efficiency.

Pros

• Automated alerts for stock levels

• Real-time multi-lab control

• No-touch RFID tracking

Cons

• Requires RFID setup

• Best suited for large or multi-lab environments

15. Benchling: Intelligent Sample Inventory Management

Benchling connects lab inventory with R&D data, optimizing space and tracking sample status in real time. It integrates instruments to ensure data integrity and automatically submits assay requests from input samples.

Pros

• Customizable storage types

• Barcode generation and scanning

• Aliquot lineage tracking included

Cons

• Focus on sample management may not suit all labs

• Requires subscription for full features

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7 Tips for Managing Lab Inventory Efficiently

1. Streamline Research with Otio

Today's researchers face content overload. Managing bookmarks, notes, and data is overwhelming. Enter Otio, your AI-native workspace. It lets you gather data from bookmarks, tweets, videos, and more. Then, it extracts key insights with AI-generated notes. Finally, you can create drafts using your collected sources. 

With Otio, move from the reading list to the first draft faster. Its top features include AI-generated notes for videos and PDFs, chat functionality with individual links, and AI-assisted writing. Make Otio your AI research partner today.

2. Build a Stock List

Every successful operation starts with planning. Create a list to identify low-turnover stock, forecast demand, and schedule audits. With a stock list, spot items you need more and order the right amount. You'll also know which items you don't need or have too much of. Plus, it helps you keep track of your inventory.

3. Assign Stock Levels

Once you have your stock list, assign minimum and maximum stock levels. Use inventory management software for better control. Or start with a simple spreadsheet. The minimum stock level is the least amount needed to operate. Maximum stock ensures you have enough without overstocking. Collaborate with your team to find the proper range and consider ordering time. Track stock levels continuously.

4. Categorize Inventory Items

Make your stock list more straightforward to use by grouping items into categories. Organize by value, priorities, or type—for example, separate active and non-active assets, consumables, and biological assets.

5. Organize Your Workspace

Store assets strategically in the lab. Place frequently used items at eye level less-used ones on upper shelves. Properly label assets, samples, shelves, and cupboards. Use a standard format. Keep your workspace clean and free of unused equipment.

6. Establish Inventory Management Procedures

Create procedures for inventory management. Include protocols for each task and delegate them. Make the document available to your team online. List steps for research, equipment, and item location. Help team members know what to look for and where. Ensure items go back to the same area.

7. Maintain Equipment

Keep equipment in shape to reduce waste, repair, and replacement costs. It also increases lab safety. Equipment is part of your inventory, so manage it carefully. Set maintenance dates in your calendar as part of workspace optimization. Check equipment during lab audits.

Supercharge Your Researching Ability With Otio — Try Otio for Free Today

Knowledge workers, researchers, and students are drowning in content. The digital age has given us access to vast amounts of information, but it also means we're overwhelmed by it. Managing this flood of content with traditional tools like bookmarking and note-taking apps takes work. Otio changes the game by providing a unified AI-native workspace. It’s like having an innovative lab inventory management system but for your brain. Otio doesn’t just collect data from bookmarks, tweets, and videos. It helps you make sense of it. The platform extracts key takeaways with detailed AI-generated notes, allowing you to focus on what matters.

From Reading List to First Draft: Speed Up Your Writing Process

Writing research papers and essays can be a slog. The traditional workflow of gathering information, taking notes, and writing is time-consuming. Otio streamlines this process by enabling you to chat with individual links or entire knowledge bases, just like you chat with ChatGPT. It’s like conversing with your research materials, allowing you to find the information you need quickly. Plus, Otio’s AI-assisted writing features help you draft outputs using the sources you’ve collected. It’s like having a co-author who’s always ready to help you get your ideas down on paper.

Collecting Information: Otio Makes It Simple

Collecting information is the first step in any research project, but it can be daunting. Otio simplifies this process by allowing you to collect a wide range of data sources, from bookmarks and tweets to videos and books. It’s like having a digital filing cabinet that organizes all your research materials. Once you’ve collected your sources, Otio helps you extract key takeaways with detailed AI-generated notes. This makes it easy to find the information you need when you need it.

Extracting Key Takeaways: Let AI Do the Heavy Lifting

Once you’ve collected your sources, the next step is to extract key takeaways. This is where Otio’s AI-generated notes come in. The platform analyzes your sources and generates detailed notes summarizing essential information. It’s like having a research assistant who can read through mountains of data and highlight the key points for you. This saves you time and ensures you focus on the most relevant information.

Creating Drafts: Turn Your Research into a Written Product

With Otio, creating drafts is a breeze. The platform’s AI-assisted writing features help you craft your research into a written product. It’s like having a co-author always ready to help you write. Whether you’re working on a research paper or an essay, Otio can help you organize your thoughts and turn your research into a polished piece of writing. This makes writing faster and ensures your final product is well-organized and coherent.

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