← All work

Life sciences

A Biospecimen System Built Around How the Lab Really Works

Receiving, barcoding, storage, and shipping in one system, with every specimen traceable to its client.

Client deliveryfrom client sitesReceivinghandling rulesBarcode labelsvia BarTenderStoragecontainers, cellsShipmentto client sitesFull history: every specimen traced to its client

The problem

A biospecimen operation receives deliveries from its clients, each with its own handling instructions, stores the specimens, and ships them to client locations on request. It had outgrown its aging, home-grown system.

Before any code was written, we spent several weeks learning their process, comparing it against the old system, and turning the gaps into clear requirements.

What we built

One system now covers a specimen’s whole life:

  • Receiving: incoming deliveries follow each client’s specific handling instructions and workflows.
  • Barcode labels: label printing and management are built in, integrated with BarTender through its integration API.
  • Storage: at the center of the system is one simple rule: storage is made of containers with cells, and each cell holds either a specimen or another container. Staff configure their own storage layout and check containers in and out of locations.
  • Shipping: specimens ship to client locations on request.

Full traceability

Every specimen traces back to its client, with a complete history of the deliveries received and the shipments sent.

How it was delivered

Weekly reviews, backed by dedicated Jira and Confluence sites, kept progress visible throughout. The system was delivered to spec and handed to the client’s own developers for final polish.