A system designed to oversee and control the inventory within a laboratory setting. This encompasses tracking chemicals, reagents, consumables, and equipment, ensuring availability when needed and preventing waste due to expiration or loss. For instance, a program can alert users when a specific chemical is nearing its expiration date, allowing for timely reordering or use.
Effective control over laboratory supplies provides numerous advantages. It minimizes downtime caused by stockouts, reduces unnecessary spending on redundant purchases, and improves the accuracy of experimental results by ensuring the use of unexpired and properly stored materials. Historically, such tasks were managed manually using spreadsheets or paper-based systems, but automated solutions offer enhanced efficiency and accuracy.