Dynamsoft, computer vision specialists, announced Dynamsoft Panorama,™ a batch scanning solution for labs that reads large arrays of Data Matrix codes quickly and accurately in non-standard trays. Developed in close collaboration with a leading lab productivity specialist, the new batch scanning solution was designed to speed up sample tracking and integrate with existing lab workflows.
The Challenge: Processing Large Sample Batches Accurately
In a lab setting, accuracy and traceability are key to efficient operations. Labs need to process large batches of sample vials quickly and accurately. Data Matrix codes on the sample tubes are usually very small and often slanted, which makes scanning challenging.
While there are solutions for scanning standard size trays, many labs grapple with receiving and tracking large arrays of samples in custom trays and shelves. Often, these non-standard arrays must be manually processed, which is not only time consuming but also error prone. Panorama was designed for exactly this purpose and has been able to reduce scanning time by up to 75% for several large pharmaceutical customers.
How it works: Scanning 150 Data Matrix codes in 20 seconds
With Panorama, over 100 Data Matrix codes are scanned at once, and the results presented in a panoramic view. Lab operations can immediately see if any codes have been missed, for instance due to a damaged barcode. The results can then be passed directly to the lab inventory database and the relative rack positions of each sample recorded for faster location and retrieval. In this way, sample scanning is integrated directly into existing lab workflows.
Cost Savings for Lab Operations
For labs, the cost savings and productivity gains are significant. Hardware costs can also be reduced by 90 % since Panorama could effectively replace 10 conventional cameras. In addition to simply reading the barcodes, Panorama shows the relative position of each sample within the array, for tracking purposes.
“Panorama was developed in direct response to a pharma customer need. We collaborated very closely to ensure that our solution would scan vials in a very practical way that not only saves time, but fits with existing lab workflows”, explained Helen Goddard, VP Product Marketing for Dynamsoft.
What is Panorama?
Panorama is part of the Dynamsoft’s suite of Software Developer Kits (SDKs). The toolkits enable developers to quickly integrate barcode scanning and document capture into their applications without having to develop specialist code in-house.
Panorama is a solution based on the industry leading Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK, known for its accuracy and speed in challenging settings. Used alone, Dynamsoft Barcode Reader SDK is able to scan 100 barcodes in one go and has been integrated into lab inventory systems to dramatically increase efficiency. Panorama, an add-on module, take this a step further, stitching together video frames to produce a panoramic view of large sample batches. Panorama has a wide variety of applications across many industries but was originally created in response to a specific need in the lab operations setting.
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About Dynamsoft
Dynamsoft is a computer vision specialist, providing barcode reading and document capture solutions for developers. Dynamsoft’s SDKs are optimized for accuracy and speed in the most challenging enterprise settings and are in use by over 10,000 customers worldwide.