In many laboratories, especially in industries with strict data security protocols, IT policies prohibit certain instruments—particularly those still running legacy operating systems like Windows XP—from connecting directly to the network.
The Common Lab Problem
In many labs—especially those in highly regulated industries—IT security policies strictly forbid instruments from being connected to internal networks, particularly if they still run outdated operating systems such as Windows XP. The reason is clear: to minimize the risk of malware, ransomware, and cyberattacks.
But what if you still need to transfer data from those instruments to a LIMS or central server?
Typical Scenario in the Lab:
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The instrument still works well, but lacks network support.
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The instrument PC runs an old, virus-prone OS.
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Analysts must manually transfer data using flash drives every day.
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Human error and infection risks increase.
This creates a dilemma for many labs—choosing between “security” and “efficiency.”
The Solution: LIMS Stick – Risk-Free Data Transfer
LIMS Stick is a smart USB dongle that allows you to transfer data from instruments without connecting the instrument itself to any network. Here's how it works:
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The instrument stays offline — No LAN or Wi-Fi connected.
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Plug LIMS Stick into the instrument's USB port — It appears as a regular flash drive.
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Save test result files to the LIMS Stick — In formats like CSV, TXT, etc.
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LIMS Stick automatically sends the data to your server via Wi-Fi or Ethernet — No manual file transfer needed, and no network access exposed to the instrument.
Security Architecture: Read-Only from the Instrument's Side
The key advantage of the LIMS Stick is its read-only architecture towards the instrument, meaning:
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From the instrument’s point of view, it behaves like a normal USB drive.
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Internally, however, it cannot write anything back to the instrument.
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No external OS, scripts, or files can be written into the instrument.
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This makes it immune to viruses, even if the instrument is already infected.
In IT terms, this is a “one-way air-gapped sync.”
Security Without Sacrificing Automation
With the LIMS Stick, you can maintain strict network security standards without sacrificing workflow efficiency. Say goodbye to daily copy-paste tasks, risky flash drives, and lost data due to human error.
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a way to extract data from instruments without compromising network security, the LIMS Stick is the most practical and secure solution. Purpose-built for laboratory environments with high data integrity requirements.
Contact Labcentric for a LIMS Stick demo or consultation on integrating it with your instruments.