Your laboratory has a vast array of moving parts. From the processes you follow to the equipment you use, each component makes up the well-oiled machine that fuels your research. While your staff collects, analyzes, and interprets the data across every project, their work can only be as sound and accurate as the instrumentation being used. With deadlines in place, budgets to be met, and progress to be made, having your staff perform maintenance or make repairs is inefficient and impractical. Furthermore, downtime caused by failing equipment can be catastrophic in terms of cost and schedule. It is for these reasons, among many others, why having a contract maintenance agreement from an experienced, qualified provider is so important.
Consolidating your lab equipment’s service initiatives not only reduces costs but enhances the overall efficiency of your facility. Here are some of the benefits that come along with a contract maintenance agreement.
Unexpected downtime from equipment failure can completely derail a project. In an environment where time is money and valuable data is at risk, not being able to complete a task, confirm your findings, or operate as required can be an expensive proposition. Downtime impacts your laboratory in several ways and can ultimately influence the perception of the work you do. From the loss of revenue to the hard cost ofl ost productivity to the expense of recovery efforts, the ripple of effect of unusable instrumentation can quickly take its toll. When your equipment is regularly maintained not only is the amount of downtime drastically reduced, potential problems can be mitigated before they become major issues.
While repairs may be necessary from time-to-time, regularly scheduled maintenance not only limits the scope and scale of these repairs, it provides an accurate, in-depth record of the history, performance, and future potential needs of each piece. This information will allow you to make informed decisions about whether to repair or replace an asset , resulting in cost savings without sacrificing performance.
Just like changing the oil in your car adds miles and years to its life, performing routine and preventive maintenance on your lab’s instrumentation can do the same. Preventing premature replacement can be a source of significant cost savings.
When your team no longer has to be concerned about the condition of their equipment, or the potential for asset failure, they can spend more time on what they do best, running their samples. This is doubly as effective if they were previously the ones responsible for troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.
When you partner with a laboratory equipment contract maintenance consultant, they become an extension of your lab. This means that their expertise, tools, knowledge, and experience are all at your disposal.
A contract maintenance agreement for your laboratory’s equipment addresses two of the most considerable risks to your operation, downtime, and cost. By mitigating the risk of failing instrumentation, both of these threats are reduced. As the lifespan of analytical instrumentation is variable, the quality of the maintenance being provided is a key consideration. This is why Overbrook uses its experience and expertise to conduct periodic maintenance when it’s needed for its clients.