Decentralized management of laboratory automation

It is generally believed that successful robot users have dedicated centralized robotic groups. While such a generalization holds some merit historically, the availability of newer more user-friendly robots and workstations in recent years and a more computer-literate work force today is changing the way that automation can be managed. Decentralization recognizes robots and workstations as additional tools for all analysts, not a select few. Such an approach initiates involvement and education of more staff with respect to automation. This further ushers the development of automated methods instead of the automation of manually-developed methods. Decentralization also provides local control of resources to address the priorities of a specific functional group within the department. Both a vision of the future, as well as a look at the past, should be considered when determining how to manage robotic and other means of automation. This paper discusses decentralized management of robots as currently applied and envisioned in a large pharmaceutical analytical R & D department.