Agilent in Pharmaceutical Analysis, Issue 26 

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Online CE-LIF-MS for the characterization of antibody glycosylation. Agilent Lab Advisor brings efficiency to instrument maintenance. Retrieve results faster with centralized electronic storage of chromatographic data.

Agilent Lab Advisor brings efficiency to instrument maintenance

By Marc Fuehrer
Agilent LC Product Manager

Busy labs need to keep instruments running in top condition, and avoid unexpected downtime that can compromise delivery of results by the required deadline. Often, multiple analysts use multiple instruments, which makes it difficult to keep track of schedules for consumables replacement and preventive maintenance. In addition, analysts increasingly need to focus on running samples rather than becoming experts on diagnosing and maintaining all of the instruments they use. These problems are solved by Agilent Lab Advisor – software that provides real-time monitoring and diagnostics for the Agilent LCs and GCs in your lab.

Avoid unexpected downtime

Agilent Lab Advisor is application-independent diagnostic software that helps you keep all your Agilent LCs and GCs in top condition, so you can achieve the best possible chromatographic results. It uses a single software platform to monitor your instruments in real time and to notify you of required maintenance before your results are compromised. The software delivers:

• Real-time monitoring of one instrument or the entire lab at a single glance
• User notifications and alerts, including e-mail and phone text messages
• Guided diagnostics in case of an error
• Easy access to maintenance procedures and system tests
• An electronic calendar to schedule and record maintenance
• Extensive centralized documentation, maintenance procedures and videos, troubleshooting, and online help

Get status of all instruments from a single PC

When you need to schedule analyses on an LC or GC, it is cumbersome to go from instrument to instrument in order to assess status. The Agilent Lab Advisor provides a “Lab-at-a-Glance” view that allows you to monitor up to 20 instruments in real-time, and to view both operational and maintenance status (Figure 1). The supported instruments include the Agilent 1200 Series LC system, Agilent 1200 Series Rapid Resolution LC system, Agilent 1100 Series LC system, Agilent 7890A GC system, and the Agilent 6890N network GC system.

	Figure 1. “Lab-at-a-Glance” shows which instruments are in use and which will soon require maintenance, so you can plan instrument usage and repairs. (Click here to see this image larger.)

Real-time monitoring maximizes instrument performance

Analysts in productive labs need to know when it is time to replace consumables or to perform maintenance on an instrument. Agilent Lab Advisor keeps track of instrument usage and then alerts you via email or text message when it is time to replace parts or to perform basic upkeep. Figure 2 shows an example of the resource counters and progress bars that are available for early maintenance feedback (EMF). They help you to avoid unexpected downtime and to schedule analyses without surprise interruptions.

	Figure 2. Progress bars give an instant visual indication of the status of parts that can wear and fail with time, so you can maximize use of columns and supplies while minimizing risk of a failed analysis. (Click here to see this image larger.)

Agilent Lab Advisor also provides easy-to-use diagnostic and calibration tests that you can run on your instruments to see if they are performing properly (Figure 3).

	Figure 3. The software includes automated performance and diagnostic tests, which frees analysts for other tasks. (Click here to see this image larger.)

Efficiency and convenience

If you need high-quality chromatographic results, optimized uptime, and reduced service costs, or if you want an easier way to keep informed about instrument status, learn more about Agilent Lab Advisor software.