Manual transcription is the quiet tax on every laboratory: it slows turnaround and it injects errors right at the point where the data should be most trustworthy. OnLIMS removes that step. Its worksheet module (OnWSH) captures analytical results directly from the instrument and lands them in the worksheet, ready for calculation and review.
Two ways in, automatically
OnLIMS already integrates 150+ instruments via serial (RS232) plus 25+ via file import, so the vast majority of an assay or environmental lab's bench can feed the worksheet without a single keystroke.
- Serial (RS232) The OnLINK driver reads instruments directly over RS232, recording raw output and calibration together — the path for the 150+ instruments connected this way.
- File and database import OnFile watches an instrument's local files or database (for example WinLab32 .mdb) and pushes new results to the worksheet as they appear — the path for the 25+ instruments integrated via file import, ideal for multi-element ICP/XRF.
- Parsers per instrument Flat-file outputs (CSV/TXT/XML) are translated into the worksheet format with per-instrument regex parsers, so each model maps cleanly to your method.
Instruments we integrate
- ICP Agilent/Varian (e.g. 4200, Vista PRO, 725 ES), Teledyne Prodigy DC Arc.
- Atomic Absorption Agilent / Varian SpectrAA, GBC SensAA, PerkinElmer Pinnacle 900z.
- Balances Mettler Toledo, OHAUS (Pioneer/Defender/Explorer), Sartorius, BIOBASE.
- Titrators Metrohm (Dosimat 865, Titrino 877+), Mettler Toledo T70, SI Analytics TitroLine 7000.
- Combustion & more LECO (CN628, CS844, AMA235), Eltra C/S, Orion Star pH, PerkinElmer Lambda UV-Vis.
From instrument to worksheet
Capture is only the first step. OnLIMS carries each reading through calculation, QC and a locked, audited result — one continuous flow so the number on the worksheet always traces back to the bench.
- 1. Connect The instrument is wired in over serial (RS232) through OnLINK, or its output files are imported through OnFile's per-instrument CSV/TXT/XML regex parsers — 150+ via serial, 25+ via file import.
- 2. Auto-capture into OnWSH Raw output and calibration land directly in the OnWSH worksheet (the ELN + instrument-capture module), keyed to the right sample and job — batch or routine — with no transcription.
- 3. Calculate Worksheet formulas apply method calculations and detection limits automatically, turning raw signal into reportable concentrations against your configured units and significant figures.
- 4. QC, lock and audit OnQC/OnLQC checks CRMs, blanks, duplicates and controls (Shewhart / X-Control / CUSUM) as results arrive; out-of-limit values require a justification note. On publish, results are password-sealed and fully audited under supervisor control with a full field-level audit trail (old value, new value, user, timestamp).
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Frequently asked questions
How does OnLIMS connect to instruments?
Two ways: OnLINK reads serial (RS232) instruments directly, and OnFile imports an instrument's output files or local database. In total, 150+ instruments are integrated via serial plus 25+ via file import.
Which instruments are supported?
A broad catalogue including ICP (Agilent/Varian/Teledyne), atomic absorption (Agilent, GBC, PerkinElmer), balances (Mettler, OHAUS, Sartorius), titrators (Metrohm, Mettler, SI Analytics), LECO and Eltra analysers, and Orion pH meters.
Does it capture calibration data too?
Yes. Live reads record raw output and calibration information together, keeping the analytical record traceable to its source instrument.
What file formats can be parsed?
CSV, TXT, XML and XLS outputs are translated into the OnWSH worksheet format via per-instrument parsers.