How to Integrate Laboratory and Production Equipment with ERP or Internal Databases

Many manufacturing companies and laboratories in Indonesia already have well-established internal IT systems — from ERP and custom-built LIMS to database-driven dashboards. However, the biggest challenge often arises when trying to connect physical instruments such as weighing scales, spectrometers, or furnaces so that they can automatically send data to digital systems.

Common Problem: Good System, But Manual Instruments

Internal IT teams are usually proficient in developing applications and managing databases. But when it comes to industrial or laboratory instruments with special communication protocols, they often face challenges such as:

  • Not knowing how to read raw data from the instrument
  • Unable to access the instrument directly
  • Unclear when or how data is transmitted
  • Unfamiliar with the command format to retrieve data

As a result, integration is often delayed or ends up being done manually — copying from the instrument into Excel, then uploading to the system.

Solution: Instrument Integration Without Replacing Existing Systems

At Labcentric, we offer instrument-to-system integration services without the need to replace your existing IT infrastructure. We work alongside your internal IT team to bridge the communication between instruments and your company’s digital systems.

Our expertise includes:

  • Reverse engineering communication protocols for industrial and lab instruments
  • Developing lightweight middleware to read, format, and transmit data
  • Customizing output formats: CSV, JSON, API, database insert, and more

Examples of Instrument Integration Services We Provide

Industrial Weighing Scales
Brands: Ohaus, AND, Sartorius, Mettler Toledo, Shimadzu, Cas, UWE
Protocols: RS232, USB Virtual COM, TCP/IP, Bluetooth
Output Format: CSV, direct database insert, REST API

Metal Spectrometers
Brands: Oxford Instruments, Bruker, Spectro, Shimadzu, ARL Thermo Fisher
Protocols: File dump (.txt/.csv/.xls), folder watcher, custom software bridge, TCP/IP
Output Format: JSON, Excel, database insert, auto upload to LIMS

UV-Vis / FTIR / AAS Spectrophotometers
Brands: Shimadzu, Analytik Jena, PerkinElmer, Thermo, Agilent
Protocols: USB file export, RS232, proprietary software API
Output Format: XLSX, CSV, PDF, XML to LIMS

ICP-OES / ICP-MS
Brands: PerkinElmer, Agilent, Thermo Fisher, Horiba, Shimadzu
Protocols: File output, folder watcher, XML/CSV/XLS
Output Format: Multi-element parser to database, JSON, or batch upload to LIMS

Moisture Analyzers
Brands: AND, Ohaus, Mettler Toledo, Kern, Sartorius
Protocols: Serial RS232, USB
Output Format: CSV logger, print log to folder, direct API push

Furnaces (Gas / Electric)
Brands: Nabertherm, Carbolite, Brother Furnace, local fabrication
Control: Thermocouple reader, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, relay monitoring
Output Format: Time-stamped logs (temperature, status), real-time dashboard

Degassing Unit / Rotary Degasser
Brands: Mitsubishi, Dowa, local fabrication
Protocols: PLC (Siemens S7, Mitsubishi FX), relay status, analog signal
Output Format: Batch cycle logging, event tracking, SCADA/LIMS sync

Preheaters (Aluminum Ingot / Mold)
Source: Custom-built or locally fabricated
Control: Thermocouple, PLC (S7, Omron), Modbus
Output Format: Temperature logging, runtime, usage history

Hardness Testers
Brands: Mitutoyo, Buehler, Innovatest, TIME, Zwick Roell
Protocols: Serial, USB Virtual COM
Output Format: CSV/Excel auto logger, LIMS integration

Surface Roughness Testers / Profilometers
Brands: Mitutoyo, Mahr, Jenoptik
Protocols: RS232, USB
Output: Ra, Rz, Rq parameters to database

PLC / SCADA
Brands: Siemens, Omron, Schneider, Mitsubishi, Delta, ABB
Protocols: Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA/DA, custom tag reader
Output: Historian DB, real-time sync to LIMS / ERP

Humidity / Temperature Loggers
Brands: Hobo, Elitech, Sensirion
Protocols: File dump, WiFi push, MQTT
Output: JSON, CSV periodic logs to server or dashboard

pH / Conductivity Meters
Brands: Mettler Toledo, Hanna, Horiba, Thermo
Protocols: Serial/USB logger
Output: Real-time snapshots to input forms or database

Particle Counters / Cleanroom Monitors
Brands: Lighthouse, Climet, TSI
Protocols: Serial, Ethernet, OPC
Output: Event-based alarms and log recording

NMR Analyzer (Low-field / TD-NMR)
Brands: Oxford Instruments, Bruker Minispec
Protocols: Folder/file watcher, batch-run auto extract
Output: Extracted T1, T2, SFC values ? pushed to LIMS or web app

XRF Analyzer
Brands: Thermo Scientific, Bruker, Spectro, Rigaku
Protocols: Software folder output, CSV parser
Output: Auto-classification and system insertion

Mobile Metal Analyzer (OES/XRF)
Brands: Hitachi PMI-Master, Thermo Niton, Bruker Handheld
Protocols: USB export, wireless sync
Output: File renaming, sample/user categorization, LIMS upload

Torque Wrenches / Digital Force Gauges
Brands: Imada, Shimpo, Mark-10
Protocols: USB COM logger
Output: Batch test results to DB or CSV archive

Vibration Meters / FFT Analyzers
Brands: Fluke, B&K, Rion
Protocols: SD card file dump, USB export
Output: CSV upload, alert analysis, and trend logging

Density Meters / Densitometers
Brands: Anton Paar (DMA 35, DMA 4500), Mettler Toledo, Rudolph Research
Protocols: RS232, USB, Ethernet (TCP/IP), file export
Output Format: CSV, real-time data stream, batch upload to LIMS or database
 

Benefits for Your Company
  • Save time and labor — automatic data input, no more manual logging
  • Supports your existing system — no need to replace LIMS, ERP, or SCADA
  • Faster decision-making — real-time and consistent data
  • Flexible and scalable — add devices step-by-step as needed

Technologies We Use

We use open and efficient technologies such as:

  • Python, Node.js, and C# for middleware
  • REST API, WebSocket, MQTT, Modbus
  • SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, or HTTP endpoint push
  • Fully compatible with a wide range of internal IT systems

Contact Us for a Demo or Consultation

We’re ready to collaborate with your IT team to find the best integration approach. No need to purchase a new system — just add a smart bridge to connect your instruments directly to your company’s digital infrastructure.

Labcentric – Your Partner for Instrument and Equipment Integration.

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+6282179677177