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Lab Automation Consulting

Laboratory Automation Consulting & Workflow Design

We help life science laboratories design, build, and optimise automated workflows — from initial assessment and technology selection through to hands-on implementation, integration, and post-deployment support. Practical, workflow-first consulting that deliver slick, flexible, data-rich scientific pipelines.

Workflow Assessment
Automation Roadmapping
Platform Selection
Implementation Support
LIMS & ELN Integration
Training & Handover

More Than Just Recommendations

Lab automation consulting at Next Iteration is hands-on and practical. We don't just write reports — we work alongside your team to understand your workflows, design solutions that fit your real constraints, and support you through to a working, validated outcome.

Our background spans both software engineering and hands-on laboratory automation, meaning we can engage at every level — from bench workflow design through to instrument integration, data pipelines, and AI-enabled tools.

Workflow discovery and mapping — documenting current-state workflows and identifying automation opportunities, bottlenecks, and risks.
Automation feasibility assessment — evaluating which workflows are ready for automation and where ROI is strongest.
Technology selection — assessing instrument, robotics, software, and integration options against your requirements and budget.
Automation roadmap development — building a phased, prioritised plan for automation implementation that accounts for your team's capacity.
Implementation support — hands-on involvement in building, configuring, testing, and validating automated systems.
LIMS, ELN, and data system integration — connecting automation platforms to your existing laboratory information systems.

A Practical, Iterative Process

We work in short, iterative cycles so you see progress quickly — and can course-correct before too much is built.

Discover & Assess

Deep dive into your current workflows, instruments, data systems, team capability, and automation goals. Produces a clear picture of where you are and what's possible.

Design & Plan

Co-designed automation architecture, technology recommendations, phased roadmap, and a realistic assessment of effort, cost, and risk.

Build & Integrate

Hands-on implementation — configuring instruments, writing scripts, building integrations, testing, and validating in your real lab environment.

What Lab Automation Consulting Covers

We work across the full breadth of laboratory automation — physical systems, digital infrastructure, and everything in between.

Sample Tracking & Traceability

Designing sample flow, barcoding, chain-of-custody, and audit trail requirements into automated workflows from the start.

QC Checkpoints & Compliance

Building QC logic, exception handling, and compliance-aware steps into automated processes for GxP and regulated environments.

Scheduling & Orchestration

Designing multi-instrument scheduling systems and workflow orchestration to maximise throughput and reduce idle time.

Data Capture & Pipelines

Ensuring instrument outputs flow automatically into databases, LIMS, ELNs, and analytics tools without manual intervention.

Pilot Development & Testing

Building working pilots before full commitment — testing assumptions and de-risking larger automation investments.

Post-Deployment Optimisation

Staying engaged after go-live to monitor performance, fix issues, and continuously improve the automated system.

Ready to Discuss Your Lab Automation Project?

Whether you're just starting to think about automation or have a specific project in mind, we'd love to hear about your lab. Describe your workflows and goals — we'll come back with practical ideas.

Based in Australia · Remote consulting available globally · No obligation